3 tweaks iPhone pricing

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 16 July 2009 04:49

Your IT - Mobility

3 announced some minor changes to its iPhone pricing just ahead of putting the device on sale.

Earlier this week, 3 announced its prices and plans for Apple's iPhone, but there have been some small, last-minute changes.

In summary, the 8G iPhone 3G will now be offered for $5 (rather than $10) per month on the $39 cap, and at no additional cost on the $49 cap. Previously, you had to go on the $79 cap to get this handset 'free'.

If you're looking for a 'free' iPhone 3GS, that's available on either the $79 cap or the $110 'The Works' cap. Either way, you can getthe 32G model for an extra $5 per month.

Perhaps surprisingly, 3 hasn't trimmed the prices of its prepaid iPhones. They remain at $759 for the 8G iPhone 3G, $929 for the 16G 3GS, and $1129 for the 32G 3GS.

This compares unfavourably with the $719, $A879 and $1040 charged by Apple for unlocked iPhones.

Stranger still are the prices offered by 3 to customers who are on an existing contract but want to upgrade to an iPhone. Even allowing for the convenience of spreading the cost over 24 months, you have to ask why 3 thinks it can charge $840 for an iPhone 3G when the same device is just $759 from Apple.

The 16G iPhone 3GS also carries a hefty markup from 3, although the $40 premium on the 32G is much less than the interest charged if you spread the cost on your credit card.

3 customers who pre-registered for iPhones will be able to purchase today; the iPhone goes on general sale at 3 outlets tomorrow, July 17.