Well, if you use your mobile phone just to make calls, send text messages or click photographs — the iPhone 3G is not for you.But in case you are a tech freak who loves tinkering with gadgets, this Apple smartphone might be your dream come true.
Downloadable GPS, games, AIM, Facebook on the go and of course 24-hour access to the iTunes store are just some of its pluses, but at 30,000 rupees (give or take a few hundred) for the 8GB model, the iPhone certainly doesn’t come cheap.
Slight problem though. Added applications are great on a phone that provides basic features like message and business card forwarding and video recording.
Unfortunately, these very basic features are not available on Steve Jobs’ latest offering as default.
Chayan Hazra, 30, is one iPhone owner who says he is willing to switch brands if something better comes up.
“If Nokia comes up with a phone that allows you to download applications and has a touch screen I will switch to it in a heartbeat because I know it will have all the basic features that I have become accustomed to in addition to these cool new apps,” he said.
Hazra fits right into mobile service provider Airtel’s category of “Achievers - young working, corporate professionals,” a target segment for the iPhone.
An Airtel spokesperson said they are also focussing on the “Funster segment” — tech-savvy individuals between the ages 18-35.
But for 20-something Soheil Engineer, his newly-acquired iPhone 3G doesn’t really live up to its name since 3G technology is yet to make an entry in India.
“I want to be able to live stream my favourite television shows on my phone while I am on the move,” he said.
That left me wondering. Just how many people are interested in the iPhone?
Both Vodafone Essar and Bharti Airtel, the two iPhone 3G retailers in India, are not revealing how many of the much-hyped smartphones have been sold in India since its launch last month.
A grey market dealer in Mumbai said he has sold 25-30 iPhones in two weeks and uses one himself.
I am sure that’s not good news for Apple… Unless they reduce the price by at least 10,000 rupees and India heralds in 3G technology, I certainly won’t buy one. Would you?
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I was quite excited about the Iphone India Launch, but both Vodafone & Airtel have gone out of their minds to have priced the Iphone so damn expensive. Both their marketing heads are no where near reality. I am surprised to learn that, when Marketing Directors are paid so well to make strategies for the prevailing markets, How can they make such a big Blunder. I am sure if they had bundled Airtime with it and priced it at about Rs.20,000/- for 16 GB they would have sold like hot Cakes!!! Even a small child would have told this to them!!! This could be the biggest Marketing disaster of this decade. When the same phone was launched in US, they sold more than 1 million phones in 2 days and here in India they have not been able to sell 50O phones in the same time! Shame on Apple-India, Vodaphone & Airtel!
- Posted by SharmilaI wanted the Iphone 3G bad and would have bought it at small premium, but not the 3G, especially when there is no 3G network!!
Also, the price is way too high. I really pity all those rich fools who bought the iphone 3g in india for 35K. richness doesnot give you a license to be foolish.
- Posted by PriyankiPhone is a great device but unaffordable in a country like India (whose per capita income is <= $ 1000).
In USA, AT & T contract can get the 8GB version for $ 200.
This disparity needs to be eliminated if it is to stay afloat.
- Posted by Al Frescono
- Posted by Priojit Gangulynot at all
in this country,because of the economic condition
and moreover it will be out of reach of middle standard people who has a willingness to explore new technology
Looks like Apple is not serious about Indian market. I think they are happy with the sales in US.
- Posted by SunilHi,
Well i was in the UK when the iPhone was launched there. I was so excited when I heard that it will be launched in India soon, but Apple dissapointed us all. The price is very high and even after paying a heafty amount what do we get. Nothing. No msg fwd, no streaming video, no mms, nothing what we are used to do in our daily lives (except straming videos). Also, bluetooth is disabled. Now what do we do with this gadget, just flaunt and use are old phones to do the daily work. Is this what we are paying Rs 30K for … ?
And the worst part is that even after paying this big a price we have to stick with one service provider. So the phone is still kinda locked (indirectly a contract).
My view is if Apple wanted to make this phone a happening gadget it would have come up with a good deal. I think they are only targeting the rich and famous (as this has no use for normal users) contrary to what they have potrayed during the launch of the iPhone 3G.
Come on guys at Apple … think logical !!!
- Posted by Abhi[...] Source: Reuters [...]
- Posted by iPhone - to buy or not to buy? | UnwireIndiaIt is over priced. I am not gonna by this junk.
- Posted by Rajeevwhat is this and what is that………..This is a that and that is this
- Posted by rajeshif any one is looking for a better alternative to i phone.. try htc diamond touch… really fantastic with lot of third party applications available, compatible,all standard features, and ease of use.
- Posted by dipumanueli was really excited about the iphone.. but the price let me down on my hopes.. unless the price comes down.. the sales of the iphone wont improve in india. moreover 3G technology is new to india and she has to get used to it and also the positive aspects of it!! deletion of the sms forwarding feature and mp3 ringtones which are so necessary to the fun loving younger generations was a major set back.. nokia will do a better job for sure and will keep all the basic properties while implementing new features..
- Posted by sumaa basemodel of nokia will be better option than the iphone 3G as a phone!
i was disappointed by the iphone 3G and it was a major let down and coz was lookin forward to be a proud owner of one..!
The iPhone price in India compared with the US price is ridiculous. Prices should be in the 10-12,000 range and can include a service contract with Vodafone or Airtel. If Apple does not drop prices quickly, this is going to be the launch disaster of the year. Steve Jobs, I hope you’re listening….
- Posted by J.Bhale RaoYes, Iam sure no one will purchease the phone unless the price of the same is around Rs. 10000
- Posted by srinivasI don’t recommend the iPhone as a primary phone. It has severe regular mobile phone usage limitations. Crossing from 3G to 2G and getting cut off is one of them and real annoying at that.
I personally have an iPhone 3G solely for surfing the net and enjoying the wonderful applications. (it’s a great machine but a lousy phone).
For mobile phone usage, I have my trusty Sony Ericsson k850i, to receive MMS, video calls etc.
- Posted by Five Timespesonally i just bought the new blackberry curve (priced at rs. 25,000) and i thought that was a much better buy!! but your piece is really insightful about the plus and minuses of the iphone; thanks so much for making me feel better about my latest purchase!
- Posted by shlokaAm going for the new Blackberry clamshell
http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/id INIndia-35403520080910
- Posted by madhuYes ,I agree with the article.I would have bought iPhone on a first day its cost had been around 25000.
- Posted by NikhilWell the phone does not even provide the basic function of sms forwarding and mp3 ringtones which are the most common for any phone in india.
ya that is true, a dilemma is there, as i think it is made for those people who don’t think of money but what about those who can buy a phone in just Rs. 3000/- or so.. and will get many of the facility which in not there in the iphones …..
aux
- Posted by AuxYou’re absolutely right - For the vendors to make this a mass market product, prices have to come down and the basic functionality such as forwarding etc. has to be implemented.
Currently it’s more of a second phone for those with high disposable incomes than a primary phone for your conventional smartphone user.
You should check out moneyvidya.com for more interesting blogs!
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