Apple iPhone 3G in the Philippines
April 21, 2008
Apple’s uber-slick phone, the iPhone, is still not launched yet throughout Asia but the gadget is already penetrating the Philippine mainstream market.
A friend showed off his jailbroken (read: hacked) iPhone last week which he bought from Virra Mall in Greenhills. His 8GB phone costs P21,000 (US$525) — a 30% price drop from the cheapest iPhone we saw back in September 2007.
Yesterday, I went to Robinson’s Place in Manila and spotted an “Authorized Apple Reseller” selling the iPhone. Whether Apple is aware that an authorized reseller is selling an unauthorized iPhone, I’m not sure. Anyway, their 8GB phone comes at a hefty P28,000 (US$700) tag. If you’re expecting a warranty, you won’t get one. But in case the phone gets broken for any reason, “we can repair it for only P2,500 (US$62.50),” declares the store staff.
Individuals are not the only ones getting hold of iPhones. Although “unofficial” versions, several iPhones were previously used by some companies in their marketing promotions.
GMask, for example, gave away an iPhone early this year to one customer who accessorized his gadget.
French fries store NYFD (New York Fries and Dip) conducted a raffle promo this year where iPhones were at stake.
Last year, local bidding site Auction.ph used iPhones as prize for their Double Bingo Mania promo (see promotional ad on the left).
The iPhone is not officially marketed yet but the phones are already in the Philippines. Apple should rush to launch it here because if they delay it further, probably only a few will buy itby the time they launch it because most people already own one.
Talk more about iPhones in the discussion thread Apple iPhone in the Philippines.
--------------------
April 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
:D PMT, I want 2 have iPhone too, i might have it when it reaches to 10K only hehehe I hope so!
May 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
are the iphones really real?!…somebody tell me! please! :)
May 4th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
and what is the real price anyway??????? and…will the iphone ever get cheap in the philippines?
May 6th, 2008 at 4:10 am
rye, the iPhones referred to above are all real but they are jailbroken or hacked versions so that they’ll work here in the Philippines. The prices vary depending on where you’re buying it, but based on what I’ve seen so far, the cheapest ones are being sold in Virra Mall in Greenhills.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Hi! to a person concerned regarding the selling of the iphone here at robinson’s place manila, i know that it’s a big deal for you, but the problem is you did’nt mention the name of the store because theres a lot of authorized reseller here that’s why we are one of those affected regarding this matter.thank you very much for your concern.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
can my n70 can be swap to i phone?and how much that?