Australia's cheapest iPhone plans

By Joseph Hanlon on 10 July 2008

At last we've come to the end of the secrets and speculation. We know everything about the iPhone 3G and we know how much each of the Aussie telcos will be charging us for one. All that's left to do is sift through the seemingly endless plans to discover the best value iPhone deals.

For the sake of comparison, we're looking strictly at out of pocket expenses. It's important to note that the charts below don't take additional services into account. While Telstra may look like "Australia's most expensive iPhone" — especially in regards to its data charges — some would argue that its network, services and coverage make up the difference.

Prepaid
In line with their initial iPhone announcements both Vodafone and Optus will offer the iPhone out of contract with prepaid SIM cards. These handsets will be network locked but both companies offer unlocking for an additional fee.

Outright — 8GB Outright — 16GB Unlocking fee
Optus $729 $849 $80
Vodafone TBC TBC $75


Cheapest plan — 8GB model
This chart represents the cheapest iPhone on a post-paid contract over the life of a 24-month contract.

Monthly spend
Handset payment
Included calls
Included data
Minimum total cost
Optus $19 $21 p/m* $50 100MB $960
Vodafone $69 $189 or $7.88 p/m* $310 250MB $1,845
Telstra $30 $279 $25 5MB $999
*p/m = per month



Cheapest $0 upfront — 8GB
Each of the carriers will offer the iPhone fully subsidised at a certain price point.

Monthly spend Included calls Included data Minimum total cost
Optus $79 $550 700MB $1,896
Vodafone $169 $1,200 1GB $4,056
Telstra $80 $70 10MB $1,920


Big Spender — 16GB
Have you got a pile of cash begging to be spent on mobile calls and data? This chart shows the opposite end of the the spectrum; the most costly plans with each of the carriers.

Monthly spend Included calls Included data Minimum total cost
Optus $179 $1,500 1GB $4,296
Vodafone $169 $1,200 1GB $4,056
Telstra $100 $90 10MB $2,400


In summary
Optus is subsidising the handset at a lower price point than Vodafone and will appeal to shoppers looking for the cheapest price over the life of their contract. However, Vodafone offers significantly increased data allowances and, while you'll pay a premium for the handset, will appeal to people who intend to use the internet heavily.

Alternatively
If you felt, as many have, that iPhone pricing is exorbitant, then one alternative would be to take your unlocked iPhone to Australia's forgotten carrier 3 Mobile. The table below assumes you sign up to 3's AU$29 cap plan plus the 500MB X-series plan for AU$20 per month. The handset cost is the cost of a prepaid Optus iPhone plus the unlocking fee.

However, a word of warning; 3 spokespeople were unsure if iPhones bought from other carriers and unlocked would function on its network. "We don't know," a spokesperson said. "We haven't seen one. We are not going to know until the phones have launched and people start trying."

Handset cost Monthly spend Included calls Included data Minimum total cost
8GB $809 $49 $150 500MB $1,985
16GB $929 $49 $150 500MB $2,105


For all the information you need about the iPhone in Australia check out our iPhone launch centre, and stand by for our full review of Apple's hotly anticipated smartphone.

Topics: 3g, apple, iphone, mobile phone, optus, telstra, vodafone, optu, cheapest, handset

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Comments (41)

  • Sari commented on 02/08/2008 08:27 Report abuse

    Yet these "rip-off" telcos still sold out pretty much everywhere on launch (except Telstra, from what I've heard). For every one person that claims that the iPhone is too expensive, another will line up.

    And yes, the price of $199 is subsidized. On a contract in the US, you're looking at $199 plus the cost of a full 24-month contract. Check out the US Apple website and note the nice big asterisk beside the listed price on the iPhone tab.

    Also, the cost price of these phones is well over $500 AU a piece; nobody in their right mind would see them walk out the door for $199 US.

    For those waiting for your $199 US iPhone, stick with your $59 prepaid phones for now, because you'll be waiting a lot longer.

  • mrcoffee commented on 25/07/2008 23:13 Report abuse

    After reading all the previous posts i need to clarify what Steve Jobs said. On radio 3AW with Ernie Sigley he said the iphone 8g would retail for US$199.95 full stop end of conversation. This was broadcast on National Radio 3AW in the afternoon and Ernie Sigley was surprised at that quote. He said it again for a second time.
    So ehat does this mean?
    It means that we are being conned by the Telco's and we need to yell loudly to both Apple and your phone company and quote the radio program. Until these phones come down to this price I will continue to go into phone shops and complain, quoting radio 3AW's segment. Please People spread the word quote 3AW and complain. dont accept anything else and in no time we will see the price reduce to what it should be. To date I have visited 15 stores and quoted Steve Jobs with the shops full of people and loudly said I will not buy one until they retail for the right price.

  • georgei commented on 25/07/2008 09:49 Report abuse

    it was interesting that the CEO of Apple was intervied on radio 3AW and stated that the 8gig iphone would retail for $199 US world wide. There is obviously something wrong here with what the carriers are doing price wise. I rang apple and they suggested I write in and complain. I intend to email Apple and ask what are they going to do about it, maybe public pressure may force Apple to act. The CEO did say on radio he would be monitoring the price so its time to keep Apple to its word.

  • yvette2008 commented on 24/07/2008 11:28 Report abuse

    how come its taking so long for them to come into the stores if they so good why is it so hard to get one

  • Too Expensive commented on 20/07/2008 10:38 Report abuse

    I brought my Iphone in L.A. (2G) for USD399 unlock it free and used it on any network with my existing plan, I can do just as much with the 3G, apart from slower on Edge connection.
    Give it time price will come down. If product won't sell as quick as they expected. Don't get con to sign up for expensive deal.
    I won't rush in for upgrade either.
    If you want to experience Iphone...
    Plenty of 2G iphone for under AUD300.
    don't get con.

  • farmboy commented on 20/07/2008 00:45 Report abuse

    I'm from the country, that means that we are lucky to get signal, yes "blue tick" brick type phones for us!
    Do any of you i phone or touch users (eg htc's dual, criuse etc) have any experience on coverage compared to the telstra blue tick products. would like to hear of your experience.

  • Joey Jojo commented on 17/07/2008 15:53 Report abuse

    Hahaha...this whole "$199 for an iPhone outright" discussion is hilarious! If only i could meet you guys in real life and laugh in your face's. How do you people dress your self's? "Maybe Jobs shouldn't advertise $199" ...he didn't, watch the announcement, it's clear. Do the research, know the facts, and you won't look like an absolute idiot. Hahahahahahaha!

  • Glen commented on 17/07/2008 12:32 Report abuse

    have you ever used hot spots with a mac if they are anything like that then they are not reliable.

  • mat commented on 17/07/2008 02:06 Report abuse

    telstra offer free data down load from hotspots. free! with there 24mth plans
    plus you can add a data plan to incorporate more down load $10 for 10 mb or $29 for 80mb

  • smith commented on 16/07/2008 12:43 Report abuse

    Why is data so much for mobiles when you can get the same service on a wireless broadband card for so much cheaper (2GB / $24mo). I think this is the bigger question. Not the price of a handset. It's like having a great car but no petrol to drive it....

    http://www.three.com.au/threestore/mobilebroadband.xhtml

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