The iPhone 5 discussion

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4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#695354 3-Oct-2012 09:59

tungsten:
I've been on Vodafone's old Smart1 plan for iPhone since mid 2010 and I really want to keep it, hence why I have opted to wait and buy the new iPhone outright. It has 30 anytime minutes (I barely ever talk on my phone, LOL), 2500 texts, 1000 pxts and 3GB of data, which was supposedly a 6-month special that they never took off. The data component is the most important bit of the plan to me - I like the freedom of knowing I can use the phone as a hotspot for my 1st gen iPad without worrying about excess data costs. I don't do it often, but good to know it's there. It costs me $40.85 a month and I'm sticking with it as long as I can.

If they were to withdraw that, I'd probably go for one of the $19 prepay plans with them or Telecom with 500MB of data and be careful with my usage.

Yeah exactly the same for me and we have three iPads (one of each revision) and often have two hot-spotting at once if we are out at a cafe etc and that plans great. My wife will get my iPhone 4 and likely go on one of those data plans.

Same here - Smart1 and wife has Smart2 (talker!). I checked with Vodafone and there's no reason we can't stay on these plans indefinitely at this stage. We can't resign on new 24 month terms on these plans to get a handset discount though. So, they are effectively 'grandfathered' for now but I guess they could always change the rules and force us off them at some later date.

bobkate

18 posts

Geek

#695426 3-Oct-2012 11:44

Just a note on the 3GB "special" on your Smart1 plan - my fiance had that same offer from when she purchased her iPhone, also back circa 2010. While she was able to carry on using the 3GB for most of 3 years, they did eventually give her a call about a month ago to let her know that the special was finally over and she would be dropped back down to 500MB.

If you're counting on the "grandfathering" to continue forever, I'd check to see what you're *entitled to* in your contract, compare that against what you're currently getting, what you could get if you re-sign. The way our market operates, leaving the hardware subsidy on the table usually works to your disadvantage.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#695504 3-Oct-2012 13:42

CliveB:Same here - Smart1 and wife has Smart2 (talker!). I checked with Vodafone and there's no reason we can't stay on these plans indefinitely at this stage. We can't resign on new 24 month terms on these plans to get a handset discount though. So, they are effectively 'grandfathered' for now but I guess they could always change the rules and force us off them at some later date.

I did wonder about trying that!

If the Sword of Damacles falls on my 3GB data then I am just going to move to one of the $19 prepay plans, which will suit my needs fine if I am careful about the hotspotting. Either way, I'm at least $500 better off over 2 years having done that and bought the handset outright that I would be if I'd opted for the Vodafone $100 per month plan with the $850 discount on the handset. PC Mag had a really good breakdown of all the data plans and what their overall costs are, which really helped me in my decision making.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

CliveB

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#695518 3-Oct-2012 14:06

Interesting that some are being "shown the door" at Smartx plan manor. I'm still there for now (business customer). Good point too about the 3GB being a "bonus". When I went on Smart1, the base plan included 250MB data. The 3GB bonus was gifted as a "limited time bonus". However, the Sword has never fallen (have we been marketing guinea pigs to see what we'll actually eat if food is plentiful?). I guess it's just a matter of time before the sword falls, in which event I like the sound of the $19 prepay options with a big data pack top up.

The iPhone for many (eg me) is all about the data. The "big 2" carrier plans are still very stingy on data caps unless you're willing to pay big monthly rates. I appreciate that handset discounts also complicate the maths for those prepared to lock in for a year or two. Ho hum ... until Smart1 gets nobbled, I'll enjoy the data and buy a new 5 outright. Have 4 ordered from Apple but has anyone heard any update on retailers selling outright (without contracts) yet?

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#695531 3-Oct-2012 14:39

I'll post back if I hear back from any of the retailers selling outright, I doubt it - it is good business for Telecom and Voda to mop up all the sales on contract first. And leave seconds for outright later. Makes business sense. Unlike previous releases, they have not sold out on the units which is good for those who wish to buy it on a contract but did not do so on launch day. Flipside is they are sitting on thousands of dollars worth of stock

CliveB

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#695541 3-Oct-2012 14:49

khull: I'll post back if I hear back from any of the retailers selling outright, I doubt it - it is good business for Telecom and Voda to mop up all the sales on contract first. And leave seconds for outright later. Makes business sense. Unlike previous releases, they have not sold out on the units which is good for those who wish to buy it on a contract but did not do so on launch day

My guess is that they'll open up to outrights a week or two before those orders start shipping from Apple. Maximise the time to mop up contract sales, as you say, but not "gift" the profit margin on outright sales to Apple. There's a neat balance to find that is related to the incremental value of the next uniit they have in stock and the options of selling to meet latent outright demand now (which is sitting behind a dam but only until Apple starts shipping) or another contact customer that might walk in the door over the next few days (a stream that's running to a trickle). The timing and stockout Gods have smiled on them this time around ...

ibewaffle

29 posts

Geek

#695544 3-Oct-2012 14:55

CliveB:
My guess is that they'll open up to outrights a week or two before those orders start shipping from Apple. Maximise the time to mop up contract sales, as you say, but not "gift" the profit margin on outright sales to Apple. There's a neat balance to find that is related to the incremental value of the next uniit they have in stock and the options of selling to meet latent outright demand now (which is sitting behind a dam but only until Apple starts shipping) or another contact customer that might walk in the door over the next few days (a stream that's running to a trickle). The timing and stockout Gods have smiled on them this time around ...

Vodafone do mention on their website:

iPhone 5 is available with our Smart Data plans and we have special offers available until Midnight on 22 October.

So it may be that this batch of offers will expire and the regular plans/outright will be available after the 22nd.

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mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#695549 3-Oct-2012 15:01

khull: I'll post back if I hear back from any of the retailers selling outright, I doubt it - it is good business for Telecom and Voda to mop up all the sales on contract first. And leave seconds for outright later. Makes business sense. Unlike previous releases, they have not sold out on the units which is good for those who wish to buy it on a contract but did not do so on launch day. Flipside is they are sitting on thousands of dollars worth of stock

Part of the reason for them having a lot of stock left is possibly because there is now so much other competition with other smartphones. You can get a samsung S3 for just $799 outright now if you go to teh warehouse. I was considering an iphone outright, but now I am leaning to a samsung s3, as a lot cheaper and not really losing much in terms of features. But the iphones are still nice. just not as attractive as they once were compared to teh competition.

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#695552 3-Oct-2012 15:02

I'd say those who want an iPhone 5 on contract would already have bought it, the margins on Apple products are so small most retailers would prefer to sell other phones over an iPhone.

From an accounting point of view, the "Apple made us sell on contract" excuse does not make sense unless you are a carrier.

tdgeek

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#695576 3-Oct-2012 15:41

khull: I'd say those who want an iPhone 5 on contract would already have bought it, the margins on Apple products are so small most retailers would prefer to sell other phones over an iPhone.

From an accounting point of view, the "Apple made us sell on contract" excuse does not make sense unless you are a carrier.

I dont feel that margin is any issue, as what is important is customer monthly revenue for the plan. I also suspect that 24 month only is too much lock in for many, particuarly when these major phones refresh annually. If 12 month was an option, I am sure the sales would have been much higher, so it may have been load balancing to manage the expected sales with the first stocks.

Batman

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#695622 3-Oct-2012 16:15

how much does it cost if you buy on contract at VF and cancel straightaway?

at telecom it will cost you an overall total of $300 extra for the phone (any phone)

Batman

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#695626 3-Oct-2012 16:16

i remember when iphone 4 was launched you could buy and cancel at VF and still get $100 off overall!

ibuksh

524 posts

Ultimate Geek

#695627 3-Oct-2012 16:17

joker97: how much does it cost if you buy on contract at VF and cancel straightaway?

at telecom it will cost you an overall total of $300 extra for the phone (any phone)

You seriously want it so bad right now that you willing to pay $300 extra for it..??

Batman

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#695630 3-Oct-2012 16:19

ibuksh:
joker97: how much does it cost if you buy on contract at VF and cancel straightaway?

at telecom it will cost you an overall total of $300 extra for the phone (any phone)

You seriously want it so bad right now that you willing to pay $300 extra for it..??

i dont think you fit on this site ... we geeks like to discuss facts and figures while you want to troll?

ibuksh

524 posts

Ultimate Geek

#695645 3-Oct-2012 16:22

joker97:
ibuksh:
joker97: how much does it cost if you buy on contract at VF and cancel straightaway?

at telecom it will cost you an overall total of $300 extra for the phone (any phone)

You seriously want it so bad right now that you willing to pay $300 extra for it..??

i dont think you fit on this site ... we geeks like to discuss facts and figures while you want to troll?

take it easy mate..

was just curious...

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