After weeks of anticipation, Malaysians can now get their hands on the Apple iPhone 3GS starting today, following Maxis’ official nation wide launch day of the mobile phone. Maxis has also emailed customers who have pre-booked their iPhones to collect them.

The iPhone 3GS is the next generation of Apple’s revolutionary device and boasts improved speed and performance, longer battery life, camera with video-capture, Voice Control, a digital compass and the latest OS 3.0. Maxis will also support tethering and MMS at no extra cost, unlike AT&T in the US. More on Maxis’ data plans in iPhone 3GS options in Malaysia.

In the launch event at the Gardens Mid Valley today, Maxis introduced their 2 recommended phone plans for consumers:

1. iPhone 3GS 16GB with iValue 2 for 24 months @ RM1,290
2. iPhone 3G 8GB (the previous model) with iValue 2 for 24 months @ RM790

The iValue 2 plan features a monthly commitment of RM155 with 667 free call minutes and 1GB of free data.  Maxis says that these plans give the iPhone 3GS an extremely competitive price point compared to other smartphones and music phones in the market.

Tan Lay Han, Maxis VP and Head of Consumer Marketing, said, “Maxis is pleased to be among the first in Southeast Asia to offer this revolutionary phone, in keeping with our promise to always be first to offer our customers the most innovative and distinctive experiences. With this early launch and with these globally competitive packages, Malaysians now have every reason to visit their local store to purchase an iPhone.

(L to R) T. Kugan, Tan Lay Han and Afiz Abdullah from Maxis launching iPhone 3GS in KL today.

“Since Maxis introduced iPhone 3G to Malaysia in March 2009, its functionality and offering of over 50,000 iPhone apps have changed the way Malaysians communicate at work and play. iPhone 3G keeps our customers connected and entertained with an attractive and easy browsing interface, and has increased Maxis customers’ mobile data usage.

Maxis customers who have bought iPhone 3G previously also have incentive to upgrade. iValue and iData subscribers who intend to upgrade to iPhone 3GS can enjoy at least a RM500 rebate (terms and conditions apply).

There will also be an iPhone 3GS roadshow in Gardens Mid Valley from today until 9 August in conjunction with the official launch of the iPhone 3GS from Maxis.

For more information on iPhone 3GS plans from Maxis, see www.maxis.com.my/iphone3gs

myMacBUZZ thanks Maxis’ PR department for inviting us to the event.