Thailand Not One Of The 70 Countries To Get The Iphone

[bkk_mike]

22 countries get the new 3G Iphone on Wednesday.

Another 48 will get it later this year.

Thailand isn't on the list.

Countries in red get the Iphone this year

Obvious reason of course... Thailand still won't have 3G this year...

[ariesram74]

Darn i was all excited - Jobs said they were going to be $199.99 everywhere!

22 countries get the new 3G Iphone on Wednesday.

Another 48 will get it later this year.

Thailand isn't on the list.

Countries in red get the Iphone this year

Obvious reason of course... Thailand still won't have 3G this year...

[cophen]

It's being released on 11th JULY not on Wednesday and according to The Register no-one will pay more than the quivalent of $199 for the 8GB version.

Edited June 9, 2008 by cophen

[nikster]

This is somewhat disappointing. Looks like they at least initially release it only as a subsidized-by-carrier handset. There are no carriers who subsidize phones in Thailand so no go here. But there's still some water going down the bridge until Jul11, and SingTel is selling it in Singapore, I would be surprised if AIS / DTAC aren't trying to find a way to get this to Thais.

Also, China isn't on the list either and I don't think Apple wants to miss out on China. Maybe they'll have an un-subsidized version after all.

Interesting tidbit is the supported frequencies: Radios galore: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), UMTS / HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM / EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

That means AIS 3G as planned now - HSDPA on 900 MHz - is a no-go, but DTAC should be fine on 850. I imagine this would dampen AIS' enthusiasm somewhat.

One thing is for sure - this will sell like hotcakes.

There were three criticisms of the original iPhone: No 3G. No GPS. High price. All have been addressed in the 3G version. In addition, it's available world-wide, and the AppStore will provide tons of killer apps. This is going to be the most successful smart phone by a very far margin.

[Ratsima]

What do you suppose a non-subsidized version would sell for?

[nikster]

What do you suppose a non-subsidized version would sell for?

I'd imagine it to be in line with other high end smart phones, e.g. $500+

[absolutelyBangkok]

Clever talk by Steve. First of all Apple will NEVER give away those phones that cheap.

You'll have to buy it with a contract.

Second: Looks like the iPhone gray market for iPhones is about to dry out.

Prices at MBK have risen over 10% after Apple's 2.0 iPhone announcement.

Will be much more difficult to unlock those.

[HDRIDER]

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhelds/0,3...3574746p,00.htm

[ariesram74]

I like those Ipod Touches - I can live without an Iphone - and I would hate to be locked into a contract!

[nikster]

Clever talk by Steve. First of all Apple will NEVER give away those phones that cheap.

You'll have to buy it with a contract.

Second: Looks like the iPhone gray market for iPhones is about to dry out.

Prices at MBK have risen over 10% after Apple's 2.0 iPhone announcement.

Will be much more difficult to unlock those.

That remains to be seen. As per the announcement, it will be impossible to gray-import them from the USA. That's why the prices go up.

It used to work like this: People in the USA would run around the stores and buy the maximum allowed numbers of iPhones, then hack them, then send them to other countries.

Now, the first part is impossible - you can't buy a new iPhone without signing a 2 year contract agreement with AT&T in the store. If you buy 5, you have to sign 5 contracts. It remains to be seen if there are creative ways around that. I can imagine you could cancel the contract with no termination fee in the first 15 days or so - that's a right set up by consumer groups. The question is what happens then - they may ask the iPhone back - but what if you flushed it down the toilet? How much can they charge you?

Of course even that would only work once, since the next time you would be rejected. When you sign up for a mobile contract in the USA they will credit-check you so they might also check if you have terminated a contract early before. And reject you.

Edited June 11, 2008 by nikster

[dekka007]

Looks like MBK grey-imports will be coming from Europe. Where O2 in the uk have confirmed that they will be selling a Pay as you go model without contract but obviously for a much higher price.

I read a rumour that no contract iphone 3g in italy will be 399euros which if true I would expect MBK ones to be around 30k-35k

Will be interesting to see how the hacking/sourcing works out in the next couple of months.

Failing that looks like I'll be buying a HKG one

Edited June 11, 2008 by dekka007

[beammeup]

Clever talk by Steve. First of all Apple will NEVER give away those phones that cheap.

You'll have to buy it with a contract.

Second: Looks like the iPhone gray market for iPhones is about to dry out.

Prices at MBK have risen over 10% after Apple's 2.0 iPhone announcement.

Will be much more difficult to unlock those.

That remains to be seen. As per the announcement, it will be impossible to gray-import them from the USA. That's why the prices go up.

It used to work like this: People in the USA would run around the stores and buy the maximum allowed numbers of iPhones, then hack them, then send them to other countries.

Now, the first part is impossible - you can't buy a new iPhone without signing a 2 year contract agreement with AT&T in the store. If you buy 5, you have to sign 5 contracts. It remains to be seen if there are creative ways around that. I can imagine you could cancel the contract with no termination fee in the first 15 days or so - that's a right set up by consumer groups. The question is what happens then - they may ask the iPhone back - but what if you flushed it down the toilet? How much can they charge you?

Of course even that would only work once, since the next time you would be rejected. When you sign up for a mobile contract in the USA they will credit-check you so they might also check if you have terminated a contract early before. And reject you.

The AT&T cancelation fee is $175 after 30 days, so you could get an iphone in the states for $375 I think the activation fee is $30 so $405.

Cancellations/Early Termination Fee: An Early Termination Fee of $175 may be assessed against you in the event that you terminate your Wireless Service Agreement and/or selected plan before the expiration of its term. For Service activated on or after May 25, 2008, the Early Termination Fee will be reduced by $5.00 for each full month toward your minimum term that you complete. You may cancel your service, for any reason and without incurring the Early Termination Fee, within thirty (30) days of signing your Wireless Service Agreement, PROVIDED, however, that if you cancel service you will remain responsible for any service fees and charges incurred. If you cancel within three (3) days of signing your Wireless Service Agreement, you will be entitled to a refund of your activation fee, if any. If you exercise this option, you may be required to return devices and associated accessories purchased in connection with your Wireless Service Agreement.

[absolutelyBangkok]

Believe me, this time Apple really tries to lock down the unlockers.

You'll be able to buy a 3G iPhone - but you'll have to pay the device, the contract, the fee for the gray import and so on.

I think prices will be around 30k baht.

[zazaza]

22 countries get the new 3G Iphone on Wednesday.

Another 48 will get it later this year.

Thailand isn't on the list.

Countries in red get the Iphone this year

Obvious reason of course... Thailand still won't have 3G this year...

It's already on sale here in Hua Hin. Kodak photoshop 2nd. floor Market Village. Price is, if I remember correctly TB 25,000. Also a friend of mine bought hers in Phuket at least 6 months ago for TB 30,000.

[dekka007]

It's already on sale here in Hua Hin. Kodak photoshop 2nd. floor Market Village. Price is, if I remember correctly TB 25,000. Also a friend of mine bought hers in Phuket at least 6 months ago for TB 30,000.

emm... were talking about the 3G Iphone which is not even released in the USA...somehow I feel Hua Hin does not have it yet

[LivinLOS]

22 countries get the new 3G Iphone on Wednesday.

Another 48 will get it later this year.

Thailand isn't on the list.

Countries in red get the Iphone this year

Obvious reason of course... Thailand still won't have 3G this year...

It's already on sale here in Hua Hin. Kodak photoshop 2nd. floor Market Village. Price is, if I remember correctly TB 25,000. Also a friend of mine bought hers in Phuket at least 6 months ago for TB 30,000.

ha ha ha..

Yeah sure it does !!!

[rainman]

If they make their way to Thailand, you'll have them unlocked in MBK in no time, you'll see.

[nikster]

If they make their way to Thailand, you'll have them unlocked in MBK in no time, you'll see.

That is always a safe assumption

[Chopper]

If they make their way to Thailand, you'll have them unlocked in MBK in no time, you'll see.

That is always a safe assumption

My friend from Hong Kong is coming over in July and says they will be selling the new model over there for HK$1600 (just under฿7000.00). Is it worthwhile having him bring one over?

I did buy the old model version 1.1.2 but it has so far locked on me 3 times ~ without me ever connecting to the internet! I would hate to shell out for another iPhone for the same thing to happen again albeit a newer model and much cheaper. Any advice appreciated...

Also have many others experienced their iPhones locking up?

[hughden]

Mine was 1.1.1 when I bought it. Have had it updated twice in MBK (at no cost by the vendor) and now on 1.1.3. No lock-ups (yet).

[Chopper]

Cheers hughden, I think I will hang fire for the moment and stick with my existing model and see if anything happens later on this year in Thailand regards the new version.