Getting the iPhone 3G in Malaysia
So, its a few hours before MacWorld 2009, and I’m contemplating getting an iPhone 3G. December 2008 has come and gone, and there is no sign of Apple partnering with any telco, or deciding to sell unlocked units in Malaysia, much to my annoyance. No, no, I love my Nokia E71, I’m just researching the iPhone 3G.
David runs MyMacBuzz, and has a useful resource available: Where to get legally unlocked iPhone 3G (updated). Many folk on Twitter also helped, and pointed me to iWorld (horrible Flash based website).
iWorld sells the 16GB edition for RM3,099, and the 8GB one for RM2,899. Its all unlocked, and nice. I couldn’t help but mosey over and compare it though, with other countries (I’m told unlocked versions are sold in Singapore too, I just couldn’t find the price online, easily).
- 8GB: iWorld (RM2,899), NZ Vodafone (NZD$979 = RM2,005), HK Apple Store (HKD$5,400 = RM2,437)
- 16GB: iWorld (RM3,099), NZ Vodafone (NSD$1,129 = RM2,308), HK Apple Store (HKD$6,200 = RM2,806)
This is what I like to see – seen at the Apple Store Hong Kong
Apparently, Optus is selling the iPhone 3G 8GB for AUD$729 (which is only RM1,820), but to unlock it you’ve got to be on a contract (I wonder if my AUD$5 contract applies? Probably not).
iWorld apparently provides a warranty for seven days, but beyond that, you’re on your own – they’ll help you out if need be, but I guess if something goes wrong, you’re on your own.
I know there have been lots of MacWorld predictions and wishes, but my hope is that we’ll see iPhones available in more regions, unlocked, even.
Is NZ Vodafone selling unlocked version as well? Or just the HK ones.
NZ Vodafone is selling unlocked versions, from what I can tell. No contract. As MyMacBuzz concluded, they are they cheapest, even cheaper than those in HK (which I find weird – HK is the land where you get cheap unlocked electronic devices, usually)
guh its cheaper than my new *cough*Windows*cough* mobile :o
I can’t believe the price difference between an 8GB and 16GB can be so minimal. Why bother with 8GB then.
@Carolyn It seems in Malaysia, if you order it from the local “reseller”, the colour makes a difference. Black is only available for the 8GB one… Or something like that.
I am just wondering why I don’t go to New Zealand or Hong Kong and bring units back by the bag load. Seems like there’s a market, clearly…
hi, blogjunkie (a.k.a. David) from myMacBUZZ here. IMHO, iWorld is probably the most hassle free way for Malaysians to get iPhones. Sure, it’s a short warranty period, but even if you buy your phone from NZ or HK and you really need support, will you travel all the way back there?
And I second with your Macworld wish! I want to see iPhones here too.
Why not just get an unlocked Android phone for $400?
@Mikal I would really like to get an unlocked Android phone for myself, but they’re not shipping to Malaysia. Anyone you can prod at the office to ensure this gets fixed? Seems to ship to Singapore… Malaysia is just up there.
Hey Colin,
I’m in Australia and just got a brochure from Optus. You can get the iPhone on pre-paid, and then get it unlocked either by recharging $120 or just paying a $120 fee outright.
This page has the details, see the iPhones at top and the unlock conditions at the bottom:
http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=prepaid_mobile&productpath=/personal/mobile&FP=/personal/mobile/prepaidmobile&site=personal
I’ve got an iPhone on contract, and they unlocked it for me for free, but that doesn’t apply to you…
Cheers,
Josh
Just to note, I could pick one up for you if you so desired.
@Colin, you and every reseller from China. They all descend onto NZ to take advantage of the arbitrage. Here’s an account: http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=762977&hl=
You can gimme a ring for iPhone hookups :)
It’s available unlocked in Turkey as well through Turkcell:
8gb RM 3,080.xx
16gb RM 3,620.xx
URL: http://www.turkcell.com.tr/bireysel/kampanyalar/iphone3G/nasilsahipolurum
[…] back in January, I wrote about price comparisons and where to buy an iPhone 3G in Malaysia. RM2,899 (8GB) and RM3,099 (16GB), unlocked, from iWorld. Today, I moseyed over there to see them […]
guh its cheaper than my new *cough*Windows*cough* mobile :o