Unlock Apple iPhone

You have been waiting for months since the Iphone 3G was announced to be launched in Indian markets, but none of us had thought of a price i.e. the cost of Iphone in India. Some believed it to be cheap as in USA where the 16GB costs $299, but we know Indian mobile service providers can not increase the call rates for Iphone users to a higher extent very similar to what AT&T did in USA.  If you remember apple partnered with AT&T to provide Iphone for cheap to customers and could gain extra money from the call rates which were doubled for Iphone users.  So without any such partnerships in India, Apple is shipping limited Iphones as per demands (based on preregistration data from Vodafone and Airtel who are bringing this to India).

Here’s the complete story. Iphone which was scheduled to be launched in India on August 22, 2008 was launched but never could satisfy business expectations. The Iphone3G 8GB is priced at Rs 31,000 while the 16GB costs Rs 36,100 which is the price many Indians who like the phone won’t spend for mobile. But if you are one of the Iphone enthusiasts and are ready to purchase this elite luxurious mobile, we are here to help you on how availing it.

You must have preregistered for an Iphone on the websites of Airtel or Vodafone. If yes then the information regarding purchase of Iphone was supposed to be emailed to you. But for others and those who missed the mail let us throw some light.  

To Buy Iphone 3G from Airtel India 
(Rs 5000/- Advance Payment Required)

Airtel will be selling 8GB Iphone (black) and 16 GB (black and white) from 22nd August, but you have to book your phone by paying Rs 5000 by advance to confirm your purchase as quoted from mail sent by Airtel to those who preregistered for Iphone. But the mail stating this information only came on 21st August i.e. a day before it was launched so most of the buyers could not book before the launch date. The Iphone can be booked at an Airtel store any time by paying Rs 5000. Fast come fast serve policy is followed for booking Iphones as they are having a limited number of sets, so book yours now by paying Rs 5000 as soon as possible. After confirming the purchase by paying Rs 5000, you would be contacted by them after few days when you have to pay the remaining balance and get your Iphone.

To Buy Iphone 3G from Vodafone India
(Rs 10,000 Advanced Payment Required To Confirm)

Vodafone gives priority to the preregistered users on booking the Iphones. Iphone enthusiasts who had preregistered for Iphone in the Vodafone website can pay an advance of Rs 10,000 at any Vodafone stores to book or confirm their Iphone purchase. After few days of booking, you’ll be contacted for paying the remaining balance and you get this luxury phone on the same day. Also before paying an advance, you need to have an active Vodafone connection or SIM which is compulsory, as stated in their email. You can always apply for the new Vodafone connection while paying the advance at the preferred Vodafone store, so don’t forget to carry documents like address proof, identity proof etc.  You can pay the advance after the launch of Iphone (August 22) i.e. at any preferred day even if you have not preregistered. But they need a few days after the advance payment to deliver the Iphone and you pay the balance amount after payment. Also it’s bit difficult to purchase from Vodafone because of the compulsory Vodafone connection and preference to pre registered users.

So if you wish to get the Iphone just pay the advance at the nearest Vodafone or Airtel stores as soon as and you get the Iphone when you pay the remaining balance after few days of booking only. India has a limited number of Iphone for sale so be wise enough to book yours now else we know how embarrassing is missing such a product especially when it’s newly launched. Remember Iphone is a more show-off stuff in India where most of the common mobile features and 3G services are missing.

Buy Iphone 3G Now or Wait for Price to Reduce?

We would recommend to wait because the premium prices Rs 31000 and Rs 36,100 are not the actual worth of Iphone 3G in India because the high end mobiles like Nokia N95 which have most of its functionalities costs about Rs 10,000 less and 3G revolution is not going to catch hype in India in the next  1-2 years. Also you don’t get any advantage of 3G since any of the Iphone 3G functionalities are not going to work here. So we recommend to wait for around 6 months to purchase the Iphone 3G at the expected price of Rs 20,000 range (approximately estimated).  Iphone 3G would be network locked i.e. no other network except the Vodafone and Airtel may not be used, but we are no more dumb as every small mobile repair outlet can unlock the network lock in minutes making it usable with other Indian GSM providers like BSNL, Aircell, Reliance etc.

Iphone Basic Features

You might not believe but Apple Iphone 3G does not have Bluetooth and there is no FM Radio which have become two of most important functionalities what normal Indians look for when buying a cell phone. But it comes with many 3G features including a GPS system which makes it stand out of others.  The design is sleek and stylish; you can play with its 2 Megapixel camera for capturing high quality images and videos. If you care about style this can be no better as the looks of Iphone loaded with a high quality theme and touch screen menus will catch every one’s attention. Also a plethora of applications, games and hardware accessories are for grabs if you want to add some unbelievable features into the phone like a mobile telescope accessory which is on heavy demand in USA. The Internet could be browsed at a very speed, but for this you have to wait for 3G being revamped in India. You can always have fun listening to your favourite music and videos with the Ipod quality and at the same time enjoy all the features available in any other smart phones like Nokia N Series which includes games, software, operating system tweaks, creating and reading Microsoft Office files and many other things we enjoy in our computers and high end smart phones. Microsoft Exchange Server with Activesync in Iphone makes many tasks easier for business men.