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Australia’s Basic iPhone 3G Pricing Comparison : Optus, Vodafone & Telstra

Posted By Mr.Gadget Published in Apple, iPhone

Jul

Yes, yes, the time has come; the iPhone 3G will be launced officially in Australia tomorrow. Will I be braving Melbourne’s wintery conditions to score one of the first in the land down under? You betcha!

Despite all the hype and glam surrounding the iPhone 3G, there’s a lot of confusion around its pricing. In response to this, I’ve created a spreadsheet / table that compares the basic price offerings of Australia’s three authorised iphone 3G telco companies; Optus, Vodafone and Telstra. Take note that these are all 24 month contract plans:

iPhone 3G Price Plans Comparison Image Link

Vodafone Plan: Not very enticing especially since they were the last to release their pricing. Even though the total outlay after 24 months is cheaper than Optus’ it fails in call/SMS/data benefits.

Optus Plan: Overall best value for people looking make the most of downloading from the web and emails. Call charges are fairly decent too.

Telstra Plan: Up to now they haven’t released any iPhone 3G data specials. Not surprised that the basic plan comes with a paltry 5MB of data. If you’re in and about a Telstra HotSpot all day, the free access here may be very attractive. If you incorporate the higher data plans, Telstra definitely comes out to be the most expensive, however despite this, many, including myself will bite-the-bullet and go with the big T because of the more extensive coverage and faster speed. Hoping Telstra will give us incumbent iPhone 3G owners some data-loving today with some sort of announcement.

Hope this post was of use for you! Please share if you know others in Australia about to make the iPhone 3G leap too.

Need your input:
Should I sleep in front of Telstra Melbourne store for my iPhone 3G or get up at 4am?

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12 Responses To This Gadget Post

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Ian Says, in 7-10-2008 at 13:47:59 from 59.167.48.1

None of them are especially enticing. I’m inclined to wait a while till the hype dies down, the bugs are fixed and the pricing gets more reasonable.

Mr.Gadget Says, in 7-10-2008 at 14:01:43 from 202.81.69.133

Hi Ian, yes compared to other countries Australia falls far behind in terms of iPhone 3G plans….still not going to stop the stubbron early adopters like myself!

Tim Says, in 7-10-2008 at 14:46:49 from 203.49.102.2

Wow, Telstra is really not in the game with this one, are they? It’s almost as if they only got iPhone to keep up with the other providers.
They do have the lowest entry level price, but the inclusions are pathetic compared to Vodafone & Optus! I wonder if Telstra will offer the iPhone on a cap plan? Not that I’ll buy one regardless…

Mr.Gadget Says, in 7-10-2008 at 15:37:28 from 202.81.69.133

I think Telstra are underestimating the effect of not having a specific iPhone 3G data plan. It continues to test how much money it can make off the latest and greatest.

Chris Says, in 7-10-2008 at 18:11:49 from 92.236.13.156

I didn’t realise the iPhone was on 3 networks down there - it’s only on O2 here in the UK. But the O2 deals actually look fairly decent, so that’s not too much of a problem.

Still going to wait though… well… I HAVE to wait ‘cos they’re already out of stock! But I want to wait until my existing contract has nearly expired so that I don’t end up paying for two at the same time.

Sure I’m slow, but I’m also tight with money

Josh Withers Says, in 7-10-2008 at 19:05:32 from 210.9.123.174

Do the 4am thing, thats what I’m doing … 4am at Network Communications in Nerang … I have confirmation they have three prepaid iPhone’s for sale from 7am tomorrow to the first 3 people that walk in!

ANDY Says, in 7-10-2008 at 19:51:22 from 61.9.154.32

Well
i just ordering one through vodafone online. I was going to wait because at first glance optus seems to have the better deals. the winner for me with optus would have been the fact you can do a 12mth contract plus unused call credits roll over into the next month for a two month period. Vodafone have been doing the hard sell on me this week,not so much for the iphone but because i’m out of contract. I actually have been with optus before and was very unhappy with their customer service and i’ve been happy at vodafone so they got my vote. Besides even after the hype dies down and the plans get a shake-up you can always move around to a new plan within vodafone.

Mr.Gadget Says, in 7-10-2008 at 20:51:13 from 121.44.173.48

@Chris fair enough mate. Each to their own. One good thing about waiting is Rev2

@Josh I’m thinking of just leaving now (8:50pm) since I just found my sleeping bag…

@Andy Go with who your happy with. If Vodafone have been taking care of you then reward them this time

Mr.Gadget Says, in 7-10-2008 at 23:18:54 from 202.164.202.51

Hey that’s great info Mr. G… My wife is due to change over her phone soon - maybe a 3G iPhone is it?

Mr.Gadget Says, in 7-12-2008 at 09:04:12 from 121.44.173.48

Another Mr.Gadget! My long lost brother!

Yes highly recommend it!

Vadim Says, in 7-17-2008 at 05:31:05 from 38.98.180.200

We will get a co-op alternative to the Australian telephone companies up and running if 10,000 people join: https://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/fauc

Please let everyone know! Hopefully an alternative will be more receptive to new technology and won’t charge as much as it does for the iPhone’s basic functions.

At the very least, it’ll send pressure to Telstra, Vodafone, etc. to lower their prices.

Mr.Gadget Says, in 7-17-2008 at 20:10:41 from 121.44.173.48

I have a friend on twitter who was talking about this (@mpesce). Hopefully your efforts to curb pricing stupidity in Australia will come to fruition.