High price takes shine off iPhone 3G India launch

I would have posted this entry a few days earlier 22nd August to be exact if I hadn't been so heartbroken. Its not that it came as a surprise to me but I was overly optimistic while hoping that all those price rumors were only rumors and Apple won't disappoint India. But Alas! some things are just too good to be true.

For those who have no idea what I am talking about, Apple's iPhone 3G has been released in India on 22nd of August with Bharti's Airtel and Vodafone as partners at a price tag of Rs 31000($755) for 8GB version and Rs 36000($900) for the 16GB.

Its not that the Indian market hasn't seen phones at this price range but the fact that the same iPhone is available for Rs 8000($199) in US. The justification that both Airtel and Vodafone are giving is that the phone will not be bound to any contract. Although you'll not be allowed to change the SIM i.e. it'll be locked. Sounds like a contract to me.

There's an interesting article on Om Malik's blog that says In India, Either Buy iPhones or Get a Family Car

Another article at EFYtimes.com give an insight into the pricing of iPhone in India.

I just hope that iPhone isn't doomed fro failure in India and that the companies will realize that to succeed in India's price sensitive market being sensible is the first and foremost requirement.