iPhone 3GS in India: At last. Will it sell, NOW?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

frankmehta

Forerunner
Techtree.com India > News > Telecom > Airtel to Bring In iPhone 3GS to India

Airtel has finally confirmed it. Almost a year after the launch of the iPhone 3GS elsewhere globally, Apple has decided to bring it to India through Airtel. Airtel has confirmed that they would be announcing the iPhone 3GS soon . We suspect it could well be later this month.


Airtel now has an iPhone

3GS website up and running with a coming soon tag. Like the 3G, the 3GS too will be locked to Airtel. You can use any other existing Airtel SIM cards though. The phone is already available in India through the grey market at ridiculous prices. Let us all hope Airtel prices this one sensibly but then we are not optimistic about that part.
Click to expand...
 
I think only fanbois will buy this. With airtel extorting entire MRP of the phone (in fact even more) and then locking to their network, it is a strict No No :no:

Moreover only 3G handsets are launching and no 3G service at all (except MTNL and BSNL)
 
Both Airtel and Vodafone are least interested in pushing iPhone, reflected by the ridiculous prices and to add insult to injury then locking them.

Its a total rip off, wonder why Apple just cant sell it retail unlocked in their stores without wasting time with the operators who really bring nothing to the table, evens the plans are a rip of. Maybe they would get better numbers.

If you really want it buy it unlocked in places where available or get it in the US, friend recently got 16gb 3GS refurbished from AT&T for barely $325. Of course for many folks value is relative and even 50k wouldn't matter too much but that a niche market.
 
Well, I'll stick my neck out.

If it's launched, my dad will be among the first customers. I'm not even going to TRY to dissuade him. It's a nice phone. Yes, it's outdated(since the 4g will be announced in June/July), it's overpriced, but it feels special compared to any touch screen phone out there.
 
I've 1-gen, and a 3G iPhone.... and it breaks my heart to see none of the top-tier service providers offering 3G services. Forget 3G, the speeds on EDGE/GPRS are pathetic to well, uber pathetic.

That's the reason why I didn't purchase 3G for myself as of yet... why waste money on a hardware that I can't use to fullest, and why waste hardware on something that's almost non-existent here.

The 3GS however is worth for people who want iPhone, due to wayyyy faster performance... but definitely not worth buying from Airtel or Vodaphone. If someone really wants an iPhone, it's better buying from gray market where you can find factory unlocked (mostly hongkong piece) iPhone. Even though it's a gray market piece, it comes with bill and warranty (yes, valid apple warranty) if you can source such piece. I know for sure Alpha in Andheri (Mumbai) sells these.
 
Right about "only fanbois" (and in Nikhil's case, fandads, hyuk!) will buy this.

Apple if feeling the heat with its lawsuit against nokia/htc etc. it is turning into a patent troll.

There are already numerous devices on easier more open systems , like the Google Nexus One.

Give it a year or two, Apple will be dead [tm] . :D
 
Welcome to India, finally!

I'm curious as to see how Airtel and Vodaphone prices the 3GS. :P
 
All depends on price 30k+ and carrier locked = same sales as before

25k unlocked would sell like hot cakes.
 
it should get better sales figures. There were many who stayed away from iphone 3G due to lack of few very important features. 3GS should make it much better.
 
Too late.they should have waited and launched the 4g(it won't be called that) version here.BTW, Those who say only fanboys buy iphone are wrong.I love my iphone and am hardly a fanboy.Infact iphone is the only apple product i have ever used.

Android lacks apps and is more or less useless for mobile gaming....a very useful time waster when you are commuting.Am not even remotely interested in the garbage that nokia(it should actually be called crapia:D) churns out. the only other mobile OS that interests me right now is windows 7 with it's xbox live integration and XNLA games.However it will take at least a couple of years for them to catch up.Till then it will be iphone 3g and 4g(when it launches).
 
3g network or not, the phone has better hardware inside its much faster if and only if your into playing games.plus if ur into jailbreaking and loading paid apps. you relize why you need a 3gs when your phone lags
 
Guys, Its Apple India who determine the price not Voda or Bharti.

Moreover, 3GS will have the same fate as 3G. But this official launch will surely bring down the Grey Market prices...

I am also looking for a 3GS unlocked for my Dad but i wont buy it from official channels just becoz the unlock for 3.1.3 isn't available yet...
 
^^ 44k :O
Ridiculous pricing if it turns out to be true. I am eager to see how many on TE get it through official channel. :|
 
Apple has started selling no-contract ATT locked iphone 3GS for 599$ and 699$. This means that there won't be any contract but the phone will be locked to ATT.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom