Hi all,

Today I went to an Optus store to get some info for the iPhone. Since I'm not a permanent resident (international student), I've been told by the guy at Optus that I won't be able to subscribe to any plan as my current visa is going to expire in 11 months, I wish Apple had release the phone 1 month earlier lol
However, I have some friends (also international students) who managed to subscribe for a plan with Telstra even if their visa expiration date was less than the contract period, so it seems that not all store really check that. I know that with Optus you have to pass their 100 points credit check, is that the same with all carriers?

My other alternative would be to get one on a prepaid basis but I'm not sure is that would be really worthwhile as the handset cost either $729 (8gb) or $849 (16gb) and then you'll have to pay your prepaid recharge.
However I've made some calculations to compare the prices with a plan and with a prepaid and I end up with that:

For a 16gb iPhone on a $39 plan over 12 months, the total cost would be $1,032.
For the same handset but on a prepaid offer and with a $40 monthly recharge the cost would be $1,329.

I think I haven't made any mistake in the calculation? Do you reckon this is a big difference between plan & prepaid in regards to the pros & cons for each alternatives and for the fact that with prepaid there is no commitment?

Also is Optus the only carrier to offer 12 months contract and prepaid offers? I was looking on Telstra & Vodafone website but couldn't find any info about that point.

Thanks for your help

Yes they have ID point checks.

Show us the working for your calculations and then we will see if you've made any mistakes.

Telstra and Vodafone also do prepaid offers (outright). Vodafone, not yet though.

You need to talk to the store and ask for it. T[life] in Sydney CBD and Vodafone when they decide to sell it outright.

And welcome to MacTalk!

Thanks for the quick answer Huy

For the calculations, I've done this:

- for a 16gb iPhone, Yes plan, 12 months, $39:
Cost of the plan: $39*12 = $468
Handset repayment: $47*12 = $564
Total price: $468 + $564 = $1,032

- for a 16gb iPhone with prepaid and $40 monthly recharge
Cost of recharge for 12 months: $40*12 = $480
Handset: $849
Total price: $480 + $849 = $1,329

Am I right?

Is there a different between buying a phone prepaid and outright? I reckon on prepaid, the phone is still locked on the carrier network whereas outright it's totally unlocked? If I get an iPhone, I'm likely to unlock it so I could use it when I go back to my home country for holidays.

Telstra is already offering prepaid?

Would be interesting to know how many people buy their iPhone prepaid or outright

Thanks

Being an international student I would have thought that prepaid would be better. The phone could then be unlocked and you would be free to use it on a carrier of your choice in another country.

That was one of my thought.

Initially I was thinking to sign for a 12 month contract since my visa is expiring in June 09 and I'll probably extend it. But the guys at the Optus store weren't very flexible lol

@fidou:

From the maths, it looks right to me.

Don't forget you will need to unlock the phone as well, which is another $75 to $150 depending on where you source it from. Handset costs will also differ among carriers varying from $849 to $915.

Prepaid comes with a SIM.
Outright does not.

Both are locked to where you source it from (Telstra, Voda, Optus).

Telstra offer outright at $849 for 16GB and unlock for $150 extra.

I bought my one outright from Vodafone (DSE) when they were selling it (not anymore). $785 for 8GB locked. ($75 unlock). It would be $915 for the 16GB when available for outright purchases.

I wouldn't let you go on a plan if your VISA expires, if I was approving plans.

Yes I have that in mind. Actually I don't really mind paying an extra for unlocking and being free compare to subscribing and being "locked" with a contract
I'm not very familiar with 3G network, so if I unlock the phone, would I be able to use it with on any 3G network?

I usually buy my mobile phones outright (even if all my friends think I'm crazy) as I don't like being locked on a contract. it's just that for the iPhone it's lot of money to pay at once and that's why I'm really hesitating in getting one outright. Just trying to find out if for the usage I'm gonna do, it is really worth the money

Well, I also understand the argument, stating that they weren't very flexible, I meant that even when I asked if I could pay upfront for the 12th month they still said no.

Thanks for the feedback

If you are on a contract, the unlock is FREE.

If unlocked, you should be able to use it on any network you wish.

I buy my phones outright as well. All the time. Every time. I can't go on contract (long story).

Yes the iPhone is expensive and it is not for everyone.

You should just get it outright and avoid the contracts, seeing as though you're an international student (no offence!).

No problem, I don't take that as an offence

Well, now I reckon my best alternative is the prepaid/outright alternative.

Can you connect to Wifi hotspot for free even on a prepaid? For example, I know that with Optus, if you're getting a plan it includes free access to Optus wifi hotspots. On Optus webpage for the prepaid, it isn't said?

Otherwise, can you still connect to any wifi access point that you could find? I'm asking this to know whether it would be possible to access any wifi connection (at home, friends place, etc) and therefore being able to download apps, browse the Internet or use the MobileMe service? Or does it have to go through the 3G network?

I don't think there is free WiFi on the prepaid ones.

And yes, you can still connect to any open WiFi access point that you may find, like at home, friend's place, etc.

You can still use the App Store and Safari etc.

It doesn't have to go through the 3G network, or the GPRS (EDGE) network.

WiFi first.
Then 3G.
Then GPRS.

That's the a good thing, so I might be able to save some money on the prepaid recharge lol
With Optus, only the Turbo Charge gives you Internet data but I'm not spending that much credit on my phone monthly.
So having the ability to go through Wifi will be helpful since I'm not planning to be connected constantly or to use the push features constantly

Thanks for the info and sorry for the many many questions

interesting the retail outright prices being charged both here and around the world.
saw an article somewhere yesterday stating the basic manufacturing cost to Apple of the 3G iPhone to be (& cheaper than the original phone) at a tick under US$175 - for the 8gb model.

given the current value of the Aus$ - that equates to a profit of 400% plus by the time it reaches you & I.

rumour has it that Apple sell to retailers/telcos at US$500 - so there's room for profit all around with the lion's share going to the big A - as one would expect.

(that's a bit like your gas-guzzling $45999 Holden Commode drive-away-no-more-to-pay costing around $10k to build - which certainly ain't the case)

halledise - I'd not be so sure about those rumours.

My dad owns and manages three optus stores and it costs him $50 less than the price they are selling them outright for. That's a bit more than the rumoured US$500 figure you have. Definitely the lions share goes to Apple if the manufacturing price is close.

So I'm guessing you expect the software engineers, support people and assembly line techs to work for free? Then throw in a free year warranty and IT costs to keep the app store running.

There's more to business than selling parts. iPhones don't just design themselves.

Any idea if on prepaid you can connect for free to the Optus wifi hotspots?

Thanks