Where to buy cheap Apple iPhone 3G in the Philippines
September 30, 2007
A year before Apple iPhone 3G phones arrived in the Philippines (thanks to Globe Telecom), hundreds of these exclusive cellphones showed up in several mobile phone retailers in the country.
Back in September 2007, we went to Virra Mall in Greenhills and found at least three stores selling open-line, ready-to-use 8GB iPhones for as low as P30,000 (US$714).
One store sold the iPhone for a flat price of P35,000 (US$833). Apparently unaware that the phones were unauthorized units, the store seller told us that the iPhone is expensive because it just “came out of the market” several weeks ago.
“Bago ‘yan, two weeks pa lang na-launch kaya mahal (It’s new, just came out of the market two weeks ago that’s why it’s pricey),” he declared.
Remember we’re talking about September 2007 here, not August 2008 when Globe officially launched the iPhone in the Philippine market.
Another store was selling the iPhone for P33,000 (US$785). The seller told us that the unit is open line and ready for use, meaning, one merely has to put a SIM card for it to work. No need for laborious hacking procedures.
The third store we went to was where we found the cheapest iPhone. A Filipino customer was inspecting the unit when we came. We asked the seller for another one, but was told the store carried only one iPhone.
Its price? “P30,000… sagad na (US$665… final price).”
And yet a year later, these prices are still unbeatable compared to the official prices of 3G iPhones from Globe:
Apple iPhone 3G Prepaid kit:
- 8GB starting at P37,599
- 16GB starting at P43,799
- Globe’s prepaid plans come with P200 load credit per month for 5 months.
Apple iPhone 3G Postpaid subscription:
- Monthly fees range from P1,599 to P4,999
- Postpaid plans have a 2-year lock-up.
Insanely expensive, indeed.
Exchange Rate: P42.00 = US$1
See also:
- Apple iPhone 3G price, cellphone plans in Philippines
- Apple iPhones in the Philippines
- Will the iPhone sell in the Philippines?
- Free Apple iPhone downloads – Games, apps, softwares
September 20th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
hi..im looking for a brand new iphone 3g for 20k and below..
pls txt me @ 09227712245.
tnx
October 6th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
im looking for an iphone brand new original …thanks.
November 20th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
were the cheaper iphones from green hills you that were talking about the original ones?
January 16th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
theres alot of china iphone in the market
February 2nd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Hi!
Is the software to unlock the 3GS already available? And if it is, will there be risks that will cause damage to the phone? I am planning to have my relatives buy an iphone for me in the US, i heard its a way cheaper there.just have to unlock it though..tsk tsk..Thanks in advance for any replies on this :) howdy!
February 2nd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Are the Iphone because I broke 2 3G Iphone already every time I accidentally drop it i breaks the lens…. Is there any solution with this???? do you think china phone are durable???
http://www.tradingmystuffs.com
February 18th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
China phone sucks the most. Trust me.
March 1st, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Hiii guys;
I just bought iphone yesterday, i’m so happyyyy..
It’s unloked and everything, i choose white i just luuuv the colour! and i tell you it’s realy suits me :))
iphone rules!!
xx
mindy