The iPhone 3G S was only announced early this morning (Australian time) in San Francisco, and at the time of initial writing of this story there was scant local details to be had.
So I’ll be adding details as they come to hand, and continue to update the details here – costs, capabilities peculiar to particular carriers, etc – check back in here and see what’s happening in iPhone 3GS land.
Optus
According to sources at Apple Australia, Optus will carry the iPhone 3GS, and at launch will will offer internet tethering and MMS capabilities.
Optus don’t have a dedicated iPhone 3GS pre-registration page, instead they are directing people to www.optus.com.au/iphoneinfo
Update: June 19 – Optus have released details of their plans for allowing users to tether – that is use the iPhone 3G S as a modem for your computer – the iPhone 3GS:
“From Monday 22 June Optus Post-Paid customers can use their Apple iPhone as a modem to connect to the Internet via a laptop or PC using Bluetooth or USB connection (tethered modem).
To access the internet tethering feature, Post-Paid Optus customers will need to add either a $9.99 ‘iPhone as Modem Access’ or ‘Bus iPhone as Modem Access’ pack. This will unlock the internet tethering feature and allow customers to use their iPhone plans included data for internet browsing from both the handset or via a computer and, for additional data allowances.”.
Please note, tethering is not available to Optus pre-paid customers.
Update: June 22 – Here it is, the first release of any telco’s pricing structure for the new iPhone 3GS:
Update: June 25 – Optus has confirmed they will be opening the following flagship stores at midnight on the 25th June (i.e. Midnight this Thursday):
- George St, Sydney
- Bourke St, Melbourne
- Queen St, Brisbane
Telstra
Again, according to Apple, will carry the iPhone 3G S, and offer MMS capabilities at launch.
No information yet on whether the phone will be able to take advantage of the Next G network and its larger network and ‘potential’ full speed of 21Mbps.
Update: June 25 – Well, very late in the day on the day before they start selling the iPhone 3GS, Telstra have published their pricing plans. Pages of them in fact! Safe to say, if you want an iPhone on Telstra, you’ll be paying for the additional coverage and speed of the Telstra network.Visit the Telstra iPhone 3GS prices and plans page (this link will opne in a new window). to decipher all the numbers.
Vodafone
Vodafone will launch iPhone 3GS, on 26 June, 2009. Customers can pre-register for information on the iPhone 3G S from Vodafone at www.vodafone.com.au/iphone, from Wednesday, 10 June, 2009.
Again, an Apple source has stated that at launch Vodafone will offer internet tethering.
Update: June 24 – Vodafone announce their iPhone 3GS pricing
In a nutshell, on Vodafone you’ll pay from $1,656 to $2,736 for the 16GB iPhone, and for the 32GB $1,776 to $2,736. That’s a 24 month cost, on the following cap plans are:
- $59 cap – includes $350 worth of calls and text, plus 500MB data
- $69 cap – includes $400 worth of calls and text, plus 1GB data
- $79 cap – includes $550 worth of calls and text, plus 1GB data
- $99 cap – includes $1,000 worth of calls and text, 1GB data
- $114 cap – includes unlimited calls and text, plus 2GB data
Vodafone are also offering Pre-Paid options:
- 16GB: $929 upfront, and a $49 recharge gives you $350 worth of flexible credit, $350 worth of talk credit, and $100 of bonus credit.
- 32GB: $1,129 upfront, and a $49 recharge gives you $350 worth of flexible credit, $350 worth of talk credit, and $100 of bonus credit.
The recharge has a 30 day expiry, so you’re effectively looking at a $49 dollar monthly plan to keep your iPhone 3GS ‘active’.
3 Mobile
Update: June 19 – Given the fact that 3 Mobile is merging with Vodafone, it’s perhaps not a huge shock that 3 Mobile have announced today that they will be selling the iPhone 3GS. 3 Mobile customers can pre-order the iPhone 3GS at www.three.com.au/iphone
Virgin Mobile
Update: June 22 – Yes, they’ll be carrying the iPhone 3GS, but prices won’t be released until closer to the launch date.
And the Apple stores?
Australian Apple Stores will open at 8 am on June 26, with an email today from Apple promising that they would have your iPhone 3GS “activated and set up”. Apparently Apple will be selling the iPhone 3GS outright and unlocked – $879 for 16GB, $1,040 for 32GB.
