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.
| 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 |
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.
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Muzza
10/07/2008 05:41 PM
So much for three carriers offering a competitive market... Australia has been screwed again. Thanks a lot Telstra, Vodafone and (to a lesser degree) Optus...
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e510_photographer
10/07/2008 05:59 PM
Yep, once again Australia finishes last in the tech world. I'm saying "get bent" to the telcos, i'm going to buy mine from my guy on ebay i always get my phones from.
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mateusz415
10/07/2008 06:04 PM
i rember 3 telling me u can take an unlocked phone to 3, because 3 build their own custom phones from specific companies which include and specical tag for 3's own sim cards and non others can be used???
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not impressed
10/07/2008 06:42 PM
this is absolutley rediculous! steve said that NO ware in the world would the 8gb iphone cost more than $199 USD wat happened to that!!?!! that is about $210 AUD and that is no ware near $729 AUD... thnkx optus telstra and vodafone...
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canberra_photographer
10/07/2008 06:44 PM
Vodafone offers the most data, but the least coverage. Much of Canberra has no 3G coverage, nor will it in the near future they told me. I would really like nextG speeds and coverage, but stuff it. I'm not paying $2000 when I can't even use it as a modem. I will have to begrudgingly go with Optus. I'll keep a nextG mobile broadband card for my laptop.
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FLB
10/07/2008 07:10 PM
If you click on the yes im an optus customer page, the price list there has the handsets repayments dearer. So it seems the reward for being a loyal customer is that you get stiffed
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Slingshot
10/07/2008 08:36 PM
Yeah looks like it will be cheaper to buy the unlocked iPhones off eBay, so much for the $199 promise.
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brennanc
10/07/2008 09:08 PM
Oh my god people! The $199 price tag was only if its brought with a plan!!!
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jacwa
11/07/2008 02:34 AM
We should boycott this trap We were told us$199, I am willing to pay 100% more, but this is a total rip off Telstra, optus and vodafone don't deserve any respect
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Al hutchings
11/07/2008 02:46 AM
LOL I'll wait for an announcement from three. Hopefully they get it. At this stage not even this thing will switch me me from three. I'm putting my trust into Hutchinson! Not really keen on unlocking one to stay with my current telco. I don't even know if is compatible with the network. Now I play the waiting game.....again
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peripo
11/07/2008 04:34 AM
I too can't understand how Telstra, Vodaphone and Optus get away with charging so much more than The magic US199 Steve Jobs quoted. I'm also peeved that not all carriers were given access to the iPhone 3G. Cupertino is, after all, nestled in the land of rampant Capitalism, surely that means all carriers should have been given the same opportunity to rip us all off. In the meantime, I'll just stick with my non-3G iphone I bought off eBay a few months ago.
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the_maso
11/07/2008 10:00 AM
Yeah right - $199 USD unlocked in the US and $700 USD ($729 AU$) in Australia. That's a tidy $400+ profit per item for the telcos for doing what? Over-charging us for data usage? Nice! Why does the Aussie phone user always have to stand for being ripped off? I thought there were laws about running cartels...
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the_maso
11/07/2008 10:53 AM
Yeah right - $199 USD unlocked in the US and $700 USD ($729 AU$) in Australia. That's a tidy $400+ profit per item for the telcos for doing what? Over-charging us for data usage? Nice! Why does the Aussie phone user always have to stand for being ripped off? I thought there were laws about running cartels...
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RB
11/07/2008 11:52 AM
your all ignorant people, like 1 guy said earlier its only $200 when you go onto a plan. you can't buy the iphone outright and unlocked in america because they only have 1 carrier. we are getting the same deal as america and every other country so stop your crying and read about things before you start commenting and make yourself look stupid
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the_maso
11/07/2008 11:56 AM
Yeah right - $199 USD unlocked in the US and $700 USD ($729 AU$) in Australia. That's a tidy $400+ profit per item for the telcos for doing what? Over-charging us for data usage? Nice! Why does the Aussie phone user always have to stand for being ripped off? I thought there were laws about running cartels...
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ghskjfs
11/07/2008 01:37 PM
OPTUS ROCKSS DUN DISS IT!!!
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nk100680
11/07/2008 06:33 PM
Well maybe Jobs shouldn't make claims about a $200 phone assuming only people in the US will buy the device. Then again it is an Apple Product so maybe he was right all along
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Oct
11/07/2008 06:48 PM
In a sense australias prices are better. At least there actually is deals where you dont pay anything upfront for the phone. How could you believe the iphone would be the same price as a nano. Use your heads.
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blue365
11/07/2008 10:24 PM
Optus and Telstra plans both include free wifi access. Optus says so in the very fine print. Telstra is a bit more obvious. Free wifi adds significantly to the data allowance if you don't need data everywhere....
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mozza
12/07/2008 10:02 AM
In the summary statement the writer refers to vodafone having better data? I would like to point out that both vodafones $69 & $99 caps have lower data allowances than optus' $59, $79 & $89. So i sk you the writer of this article how are vodafone better for data?
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Kon
12/07/2008 10:21 AM
You need to purchase the iphone in the U.S.A from AT&T. You also need to go on a 24 month contract and I have seen the rates. Our telcos, (as much as I loath them) are very competitive compared the the u.s.a. Do your homework people before getting on a public forumn and start complaining about price. Im still not sold on the iphone yet. Apple need to get the basic phone functionality done right first then I might be keen.
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gold coast
12/07/2008 09:15 PM
Why is Telstra way more expensive than the others. Don't say coverage 'cos most people don't need that , same with speed. How can they offer only 10MB!! compared with the others at around the same price having half a gig, same with the included call. I don't understand how Telstra isn't even close.
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garryola
12/07/2008 10:31 PM
Uhu, and thanks to the ACCC, our consumer watchdogs. This doesn't reak of price fixing or collusion, not at all.
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Sinz
13/07/2008 01:30 PM
erm.. the prices Steve Jobs listed were SUBSIDISED, if you go on a reasonable plan with Optus you can even get cheaper than US$199 (AU$211) for the 16 gig! I'm payin a grand total of $48 for my 16 gig from Optus and I get 700 mbs data.
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andy186
13/07/2008 01:42 PM
you are completely wrong vodaphone give the exact same amount of data as the optus plans except they are more expensive
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meh
13/07/2008 03:05 PM
WTH. as if man. $199 in the US $729 in AUSTRALIA. racism. grrrr.
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Captain Crash
14/07/2008 09:22 PM
The US & Canada have much more generous download limits for the comparative deals.
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Hubridenterprizes
14/07/2008 10:53 PM
Ok Guys you need to watch the Keynote address Steve Jobs made in S.F. last Month and understand the Magic $199 is for a two Year contract in the USA. A 8GB i pod touch is 399 AUS how can the I phone be cheaper common sense
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Mozza
15/07/2008 11:28 AM
Andy186....Have you actually looked at the prices and what data you get? It might be the case for the most expensive plan! But vodafones $69 cap give you 250mb data where optus' $59 cap gives you 500mb data. Vodafone's $99 & $119 caps give you 500mb data where optus' $79 gives you 700mb & optus' $89 cap gives you 850mb data. Vodafone's $169 cap gives you 1gb data as does the optus $149 & $179 do also. So they don't have the same amout of data, optus offer much more!
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yetti
16/07/2008 12:32 AM
Mr/Ms gold coast, i agree Telstra plans are horrible/evil/cunning but the reason they charge that much IS because of their coverage, ALOT of people can't get anything else but Telstra, they have a decent monopoly, take a drive out of the suburbs, Australia is a big country.
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gadgetguy
16/07/2008 01:46 AM
Apparently in the US you can buy the iPhone for $199 on line and have it delivered to a US address. The iPhone can then be shipped overseas without having to lock into a contract. The phone is locked with AT and T but it appears it works overseas. I've heard of several people doing this.
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smith
16/07/2008 12:43 PM
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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mat
17/07/2008 02:06 AM
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
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Glen
17/07/2008 12:32 PM
have you ever used hot spots with a mac if they are anything like that then they are not reliable.
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Joey Jojo
17/07/2008 03:53 PM
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!
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farmboy
20/07/2008 12:45 AM
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.
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Too Expensive
20/07/2008 10:38 AM
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.
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yvette2008
24/07/2008 11:28 AM
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
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georgei
25/07/2008 09:49 AM
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.
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mrcoffee
25/07/2008 11:13 PM
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.
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Sari
02/08/2008 08:27 AM
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.
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