Alternative pricing structures from mobile operators MTN and Vodacom for the newly unveiled iPhone 4 will likely drive accessibility for the high-end device in the local market.
Apple's next-generation smartphone hit retail stores at midnight last night and MTN and Vodacom have since revealed launch offerings.
MTN says the device will retail at R6 000 for the iPhone 4 16GB model, and approximately R7 000 for the Apple iPhone 4 32GB model. The mobile operator is also offering the following packages: iPhone 4 16GB on a 150MB Internet bundle - R379 per month; iPhone 4 16GB on a 300MB Internet bundle - R429 per month; iPhone 4 32GB on a 150MB Internet bundle - R429 per month, and iPhone 4 32GB on a 300MB Internet bundle - R479 per month.
Vodacom says it is not yet offering a “pay-as-you-go” option for the device and as such does not have an available retail price. However, the operator's opening deal provides the device free with the iPhone Talk 500 and Talk 1000 contract packages.
The iPhone Vodacom Talk 500 is a 24-month contract and will cost subscribers R925, including 500 free minutes.
“The new pricing of the iPhone is much more in line with that of similar models in the UK and Australia, but it is still expensive in absolute terms, even though the new devices offer higher quality of construction and a few unique features,” says WWW Strategy MD Steven Ambrose.
“Overall sales will, in all probability, exceed that of the older model by a large margin, as competition had lowered the price and made it available on more package options,” says Ambrose.
The enthusiasm outside of Apple fans will only be slightly dampened by the lack of South African access to the paid App and iTunes store, he predicts.
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