Confirmed! iPhone finally coming to Malaysia!
Last week rumours started swirling around Twitter about the iPhone 3G coming to Malaysia. I sort of dismissed it, but then KLUE posted more speculation on their blog.
I promptly forgot about the incident, but Kamal Fariz tweeted it again about 30 minutes ago. I quickly put out a tweet asking for information and it looks like we’ve got confirmation!
Update 11:15am: It’s confirmed! See http://www.maxis.com.my/iphone/index.asp for details and rate plans!
So here’s the bottom line (more details will be added as it develops)
- Internal Maxis launch of the iPhone today at KLCC (pretty solid)
- RM2,700 for the iPhone with a Maxis plan (iPhone 3G presumably)
- The Maxis iPhone will initially by invitation only
- Maxis staff will get a (small) discount, but details haven’t been revealed yet
Update 12:15pm: Lots of people are complaining that the prices are too high. Seriously Maxis, don’t you know that there’s a recession going on? Andrew Kok has created a spreadsheet comparing the price of the Maxis iPhone to other countries (link). See also Danny Foo’s blog post.
Here’s the trail of sources. You be the judge of the credibility of this story.
How awesome is it that Twitter broke the story? Credit where credit is due–thanks Kamal for breaking the story. Everyone follow twitter.com/kamal!
hantu: Anyone can confirm the iPhone event in KLCC? #iphonemalaysia #
shellyfong: @blogjunkie Errmm..according to my source, its confirmed to be this week..but not sure which day yet..
blogjunkie: a (very nervous) source has confirmed the Maxis event in KLCC today AND that it is related to the iPhone. Hooray #iphonemalaysia! #
skeevs: @kamal @blogjunkie confirmed!there’ll be a package.colleague just made a call to his source at maxis.internal launch today #iphonemalaysia #
blogjunkie: other sources (cousin of a colleague) who is in the mobile industry says that iPhone will retail for abt RM2700 from 20 Mar #iphonemalaysia #skeevs: #iphonemalaysia more rumors from another source : they paid 500k just for the license, launching on 20/3 and by invitation #
derekw: heard that the iphone info is on the i-system in maxis in KLCC since yesterday. anyone in maxis verify? #iphonemalaysia #
However, first impressions seem that it’s too expensive. And there’s some sort of advanced payment. Huh? Follow #iphonemalaysia for the latest.
If you have any information please add them to the comments! And I think it’s almost it’s about time we can celebrate the iPhone in Malaysia. Hooray!
(Details being added as they develop)
12 Comments
I was holding out from buying the Nokia N71, I had thought that official iPhone is Malaysia would be cheaper,… guess not.
Not impressed by the plans at all. Guess my 4GB will stay with me for couple more months.
Hi!
Before buying one, do the math. I mostly did an analysis, and this might be just too little too late
Read more at:
http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2009/03/11/should-you-buy-an-iphone-3g-from-maxis
[...] – you can publish them too
Also, another site, that is carrying some iPhone information is MyMacBUZZ, run by my friend @blogjunkie, including things like internal discounts, and [...]
My question is will this be a locked or unlocked version of the iPhone?
As for the rate plans, they totally suck. Too much for too little. I’ll stick with my present voice and unlimited data plan as I often tether my MBP to my iPhone using pdaNet.
Also, no mention of visual voicemail.
blogjunkie,
can anyone please do overall calculation how much money will be spent for each I value contract…
do not get the 24 month contract, by two years the Iphone 3g become absurd then….
echo: unlocked.
stig: I feel you, dude.
blogjunkie: thanks for the linking love.
Anyway, they must be thinking in desperate times their brand will attract many desperate not-enough-money Apple iPhone lovers. LOL!
u think maxis so generous? dream on baby..u r another loser that conned by maxis but still strong supporter… sigh!
Danny: You sure its unlocked? I haven’t read anywhere that confirms this. Does Malaysia have similar laws as Singapore and Hong Kong where the telco has to offer an unlocked version of whatever handset they sell?
cheers,
e
hehehe… you all got fooled by apple.
In japan, iPhone don’t make a hit at all. People won’t buy this phone because its not high tech compared to japan made phones.
So, what apple do in japan to boost sales? They packed with very low price! Only around 300 yen/month for 12 months contract. Do the math. Its almost free.
with 3.0 out in June / Summer, they’ll still retain some loyal customers. but still I’d rather get one from New Zealand or Aus, as their is fully unlocked. Malaysia is still not on the support list, even though UAE is right now.
I think the price is reasonable since T&T also selling the iPhone (without contract) with the price of $599 – 8GB model and $699 – 16GB model. You can convert it to Malaysian currency ($USD 1.00 = 3.69172 MYR), how much will it be.
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