With Globe Telecom no longer being the exclusive distributor of the Apple iPhone in the Philippines, we were hoping for lower prices, and we did get it. Still the prices on prepaid are not as low as hoped for. On postpaid plans, the Apple iPhone 4S comes is some very sweet deals.
Today, we will focus on the prepaid offerings only.
Price is still disappointing. The Apple iPhone 4S sells at US$649, US$749 and US$849 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models unlock and contract free.
If you compare it with the Apple iPad 2 which starts at US$499 and sells from the local Apple store at Php23,990 that means that it is being sold an exchange rate of approximately Php43 to US$1, and 12% VAT is added to the price.
Using this same rates, the iPhone 4S, unlocked and contract free, should be priced as follows:
- 16GB: Php31,200
- 32GB: Php36,100
- 64GB: Php40,900
But prices are still better. From the local carriers this is the pricing you get:
SMART
- 16GB: Php 33,200
- 32GB: Php 38,200
- 64GB: Php 43,200
GLOBE
- 16GB: Php 37,690
- 32GB: Php 43,490
- 64GB: Php 49,290
Smart is selling at
roughly Php2,000 higher than US prices, while Globe is selling roughly
Php6,000 to Php9,000 higher than US prices. And yes, that already
accounts for VAT. Globe is maintaining the same rates they had, more or
less for previous iPhones.
Globe will be offering a trade-in promo for older Globe locked phones, which will make it cheaper to buy a iPhone 4S from Globe for existing subscribers, but the details of that are not out yet.
In sum, you do not get a carrier subsidy for buying a locked phone. But let us not look at a gift horse in the mouth. With Smart now in the iPhone game, the iPhone has gotten much cheaper, especially on postpaid plans.
While Smart wins the pre-paid iPhone wars, Globe has very competitive, and I think better postpaid options. We will write about that tomorrow.
Postpaid options for the 16GB model at this link.
Postpaid options for the 16GB model at this link.
Thanks very much for this, and for the succeeding articles on the different plans available - very helpful. One question - if I get a prepaid iphone, is it still locked with the carrier?
ReplyDeletemay i ask if smart or globe prepaid is unlocked phones? or it is locked by network provider?
ReplyDeletewhere are exact place and location of the store where we can buy prepaid for iphone4s? anyone.. i ask smart yesterday, " they say all iphone units are available in postpaid, the i ask for prepaid.. they say its not available.. whats the dif?.. lol anyone help?
ReplyDeletethere is already a software to unlock smart iphone4s??????????
ReplyDeleteDoes Smart offer a 12-month installment on their Prepaid iPhone?
ReplyDeletemay I ask if even it's prepaid
ReplyDeleteis it still locked up by the network
Hello. Need some help. I got my Iphone from ATT, have it unlocked already but I am clueless on how I can use it here in the Manila with Globe prepaid. I am honestly new to prepaid subscription so I want to know how things work here, especially on mobile browsing without having to rely on wi-fi which you'l barely find around. Thanks!
ReplyDeletedid globe have a plan unlimited calls and text for the iphone 4s?
ReplyDeleteHow to unlock Globe iPhone 4S freely? Or there must be pay for it? en ucuz iphone
ReplyDelete