China is preparing for unlocked iPhone 3G

**SJC** · 06-29-2008, 03:20 AM

I'm a proud owner of a 1st-gen iPhone (unlocked & jailbroken of course) for months now, bought it from a friend who owns a cell shop here in China. Asked him about the coming release of 3G, he casually told me that it will be available for US$218 (Chinese RMB 1,500) this July here in China - unlocked - a week after its official release on July 11. But to my surprise, he discouraged me to upgrade to 3G as they expect huge bulk orders and that it will be more like a "masa" phone na.

He explained further to me, that while the 3G iPhone might have new features like GPS and 3G (which is yet to be tested in China for the 1st time), the price for the 1st-gen iPhones will go up as high as US$700! Bakit kaya?

Well aside from being a "masa" phone which might convince me to stay with my 1st-gen, I bet our 1st-gen iPhones will still be "bigatin". Coz the 3G version will be lighter. Just like the Nokia phones, pag "bigatin" ang fone, mabigat din! LOL.

I bet what he's saying is true as they're waiting for the order on July 17. Unlocked na yun for sure. Pero paano kaya yun? Hay ang hirap mag-isip!

I also read in one article that Negri Electronics is accepting orders na for iPhone 3G 8gig (black or white) pero yung 16gig is white lang.

Any insights?

**Sponsor** · 06-29-2008 03:20 AM

**triggerbokie** · 06-29-2008, 12:20 PM

true it may be called a masa phone and that is exactly what apple wants. i think the revenue model is not in the phone sales but in the eventual sales in the itunes music store. i read somewhere that apple is only earning a few cents from each song purchase but i think that's rubbish... there is profitability in it that's why they are expanding it to video. but i'll stop here because this issue will invoke a long heated debate

as to why the price is lower, well lets just say that Apple is being true to the economics of semiconductors. i would estimate that every month the prices of semicon parts in taiwan lowers in value yet is better/advanced in technology. i guess the 1st gen iphone would still be a charm due to being the 'first to own' mentality. also, as the 3g iphone is marketed as a 'masa phone' being sold in more countries than the 1st-gen iphone. this being the case, there is 'exclusivity' in owning the 1st-gen iphone, more so if you have a grey unit since you were able to acquire and unlock it. but this is only in terms of personal value.

in terms of market value. there might be some (1 or 2) sellers, lets say in GH or any gray market that may price 1st-gen iphone higher than usual because of supply issues. but as i can see in the philippine market, the buyers are shopping for what's new, hot or pop. so the normal cellphone seller in the gray market will let go of his 1st gen iphone units in the cheapest price he can break-even and release himself of the burden of taking inventory. in gray markets, money and inventory should move quite fast or else you wont be able to recover your stall rent. i would assume that 3g iphone unit would be considered a fast moving consumer good...

**suavecito** · 06-29-2008, 12:34 PM

For me, its like the toys of the 80's compared to the present ones. The 80's toys are all made of die casts and the ones you can find today are all made up of plastic. That's why im holding on to my 1st gen, it looks sexier, it feels heavier and are more expensive than the new one. Retro baby! hehehehehe.

**mac*sailor** · 06-29-2008, 12:41 PM

Really? iPhone is coming to china?

I heard that the China Unicom denied the contract with iPhone that people expected in August. They said even though iPhone is very cheap, Apple requests subsidy from the company in order to make more profit. And Apple is prepared to make money buy selling software for iPhone, however free software is more popular in Chinese market. Chinese companies said it's not a good business.

But anyways, there're still lots of people bought iPhone in China. I think there're still ways to use iPhone in China. I think it'll be difficult for iPhone to officially come into Chinese market la.

btw, what's "masa" phone?

**antski** · 06-29-2008, 12:44 PM

I think he's bluffing.

**yoh_hectic** · 06-29-2008, 12:45 PM

12 million iPhone 3G phones doesnt equate to "masa" for a country of 1.3 billion.

**Mocha.Frap** · 06-29-2008, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by mac*sailor

btw, what's "masa" phone?

Phone that is used by everyone/everyone can take hold of the phone

Instead of looking at the iPhone as an exclusive gadget available to those who have money, iPhone 3g becomes a "normal" phone instead

**Provboy** · 06-29-2008, 01:18 PM

get off your high horses people if you just realize that people don't really care about what you wear or what phone you use or what you do in general, you won't have these problems about what's masa or not

as long as you love what you use why bother with what others think

**mac*sailor** · 06-29-2008, 01:26 PM

a news on 27th, China Mobile said the problem on profit sharing with Apple is solved. but still no solid answer on when iphone will be get in.

**mac*sailor** · 06-29-2008, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mocha.Frap

Phone that is used by everyone/everyone can take hold of the phone

Instead of looking at the iPhone as an exclusive gadget available to those who have money, iPhone 3g becomes a "normal" phone instead

ahh, get it. =) but no matter what, any high tech or expensive phone will become a "masa" phone at the end, isn't it? the technology update is so fast.