Of course I am talking about the iPhone. I went into the awesome Apple Store (I’ll take some photos next time) and was about to buy one but they had sold out of the 16GB.
But then Dad said that it will be the same price in NZ. So it’s $USD 499 + 2.5% foreign exchange credit card fee = $671. Stuff was saying that it was going to be $700 in NZ. So it’s not really any cheaper, if $700 is to be believed. Has any more news come out or have Vodafone been tight-lipped? I assume that the $499 includes the 8.65% sales tax…
So do you think its worth buying it here and haking it, or should I wait and get the official one and get too expensive 3G and GPS???? I’m sure there will be some awesome app that uses GPS and I’ll be annoyed it didn’t wait.
What should I do??? Sound off in the comments please 
While the temptation to get your hands on a shiny new gadget must be driving you to distraction (I know it would if it were me), I think patience is your best option.
It would be extremely bad PR if Vodafone were to offer the iPhone any dearer than the standard $700 market rate. Any more than that and there’d be a customer backlash the likes of which is normally reserved for Telecom. Also, word on the street is the our beloved Telecom are also in talks with Apple to supply the iPhone on their network, so competition might actually drive the price down (although you’ll likely be locked into an exorbitant contract plan).
Finally, there’ll be the usual reduction in cost as new models come out. If you love the 16GB 3G model now, it’ll be much cheaper in 6 – 10 months time, if you can be patient enough…
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Oh – did you get me any free stuff at JavaOne? As a dedicated Micro$oft dev, I feel it is my duty to wear a coffee t-shirt or something.
I’m with Phil on this, wait. You never know, Vips might upgrade to the 3G and sell you his current one
Also i just saw this http://www.tuaw.com/2008/05/12/when-should-you-buy-an-iphone/
I reckon it’ll either be really expensive ($1000) or with a crazy contract when Vodafone releases it. Who knows when this will be!
I’m not sure about Telecom’s GSM network, does anyone know when it goes live?
Having said all of that, there are a LOT of rumours going around recently about the 3G iphone, and I believe that they are going to announce/release it at WWDC.
Just a note that prices in the states don’t include sales tax, so you’ll be paying $499 + sales tax = 542USD, which at current rates is 707NZD (not including commission). When Vodafone brings it out, they will sell it for more than that (likely at least 100 dollars more), or the prices will drop.
Well it looks like even if I was definitely going to buy one, it would be hard or impossible. I’ve been into the apple store a few times and every time they have been sold out. I’m trying to buy one for Tu’ mate…
At this stage I think I’ll wait as my phone and ipod are still working and fine…
What happened to instant gratification?
Get the iPhone now, hack it and enjoy it until the 3G Vodafone one is available. At that point you sell it and buy a new 3G one …
Can’t believe you can manage to wait
As the old so & so, I have to stick to the conservative mode and vote wait ‘n see. The price in NZ will have to reflect in NZ competition from others – I understand RIM has launched a direct competitor and their products are well represented in NZ – like the one in my pocket! If anything goes wrong at least you can take it back if purchased here and its guaranteed to operate with all supported-in-NZ features. Also from services and technical view, surely the 3G is the one to go for.
Yeah I guess. The news was saying that the Apple Store has sold out of iPhones and therefore the only ones left were the ones in stores. Unfortunately the San Fran store on Market St sold out last week so everyone is out of luck.
The announcement of the new 3G version must be coming at WWDC…
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Photosynthesize!
It looks like you made the best choice by holding out. An article on Stuff says that Voda are going to release the iPhone at a start price of $199 on a two year contract. No idea what their pricing model looks like yet, though.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4610632a28.html?source=RSStech_20080707
Still considering buying?