Apple iPhone launched in India – complete coverage
Finally the D-Day comes. Apple’s third generation iPhone makes a debut today in India. Unlike US and many countries, where iPhone is available thru’ a single service provider, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone, both the leading mobile service providers, brings the next generation phone to India. Both the service providers has launched the much expected and most hyped phone in the mid night in the major Indian cities. iPhone comes in two versions. 8GB version costs Rs. 31,000 and comes in black color while 16 GB version costs Rs. 36,100 and comes in white and black color.
How and Where to buy ?
Airtel and Vodafone, both the service providers has launched the handset in six major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai, Bangalore and Hydrabad. They are also planning to expand it to 65
other major cities in the country soon. As of now, iPhone can be brought from the retail outlets of Airtel and Vodafone spread across this cities and Apple stores. If you are a non-subscriber of Airtel or Vodafone, then first you must subscribe to their cellular service and then only get your mobile phone thru either one of the service providers. Existing subscribers can pay the money in the outlet and get their phone activated to their SIM card in 5 minutes. The phone comes with SIM locked to the service provider and hence the user cannot switch the service provider while using the phone.Airtel is offering free 500 MB a month, for the first 12 months for all iPhone buyers. Vodafone is yet to announce the dataplan.
iPhone 3G – can you use ?
This new generation phone comes up with the capability of 3G. But unfortunately you cannot use the feature until next year, as the Indian government is yet to begin the auction for 3G spectrum. Indian govt is likely to finalize and allocate the spectrum before this year end. After that the service providers may take upto 6 months to setup and build the infrastructure to avail the service.
For those who are hearing about 3G for the first time, 3G is the third generation mobile technologies which superceeds the existing 2G services and enables the service providers to offer more advanced services including Wireless Voice telephony, Wireless Broadband in mobile phones itself. Currently 3G allows transmission of 384 Kbits/s in Mobile systems and 2Mb/s in stationary systems.
Can i go for the iPhone ?
Answer to this question is highly individualistic. iPhone has its own positives and limitations. So the selection of phone are completely depends and vary between each individual. Here we have consolidated the various pros and cons from the user experiences which will help you in your buying decisions.
Pros:
- Stylish design and fit
- GPS
- Excellent internet browsing experience
- Pushmail system
- 3.5 inch screen
- Downloadable iPhone applications
Cons:
- Price .. Rs. 31,000 for 8GB model and Rs. 36100 for 16 GB model is overpriced
- No copy paste functionality
- SMS’s cannot be forward
- No External memory option
- Doesnt have video recording functionality
- Only 2MP camera and does not have flash, auto-focus , optical zoom functionalities
- Bluetooth can be used only for handsfree calling
- Lack FM radio
Final verdict:
Undoubtedly iPhone is superior for its design, stylish look, touch screen, mobile internet functionality and applications, but excessive pricing, lack of effective camera and effective 3G but in cant use state in India stopped us from labeling it as the must go device for the moment.
MobileGames
iPhone was a surprise to many Indians when the price(rumour) was around 11K to 15K rupees. But after the release of the price tag I can’t find anyone speaking about the phone anymore. I think Airtel and Vodafone are trying to play their usual role here.
I was much awaiting for it but the price is not worth the phone when we have much advanced phones in Nokia and Sony Ericsson.