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.

iPhone 3G @ Rs 31,000

Oh man...
Could it get worse?

[link]

Airtel to launch 3G iPhone in India on Aug 22

Finally a date has been fixed, officially. [link1 link2]
Pricing details are not out yet. They won't be out until closer to the launch date. Somehow I don't get a good feeling about this, probably due to the worries of the iPhone being excessively priced.
Its US retail price is $199 which is about Rs 8000 in Indian currency. If the iPhone is priced around Rs 10000(unlikely) it would certainly kill the competition. Sadly though the much desired eye candy is likely to be priced upwards of Rs 15000(speculations).
With the govt. rolling out its 3G policy, the road for the launch of iPhone has definitely got a lot easier. Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope that Steve Jobs keeps his promise of releasing iPhone 3G with fixed price of $199 everywhere.