iPhone coming to India on Vodaphone in September?

Apple sources are telling the Business Standard that the iPhone is launching in India on carrier Vodafone, with an expected release date this September. The 8GB version is supposedly launching within the year for sure, with a 16GB version "based on buyer response" in 2009.

These "sources" seem to know quite a bit -- they also claimed that Vodaphone was being considered for an Australian release, and said that "multiple carriers" might even be likely. Of course, don't forget your grain of salt on this one -- Vodafone officials denied any knowledge of the deal. But it's very true that India is one of the biggest players in the "grey market" for iPhones, so a deal there, with Vodafone or another carrier, wouldn't be unexpected at all.

There is one catch -- apparently the price specified by Apple sources is around Rs 28,000, which is a whopping $700 US (for comparison, the price in the UK was £300 on release before the price drops, which comes to $599 US). So if these sources are legit, anyone wanting to take advantage of a Vodafone deal won't be doing so cheaply.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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Source: http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?lef…

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Analysis / Opinion Rumors Apple iPhone

Apple sources are telling the Business Standard that the iPhone is launching in India on carrier Vodafone, with an expected release date...

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Manav Arya

The iPhone is available here for max 25K INR and it should be priced close to that officially because here you dont get pay as you go like in the US you are supposed to cough up the whole price before.

April 29 2008 at 6:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

appleobsessed

Actually, 28,000 rupees for a phone in India isn't too suprising. I bought an Nokia N70 during a visit around 2 years ago for 25,000 rupees(yes it was released in Asia back then). The thing about India's cell phone market is that phones are not sold locked to a carrier, and like all unlocked phones, the consumer has to pay a premium. Another thing, Im happy that the iPhone was released here first, because a lot of the new high tech phones are all introduced in Asia...

April 19 2008 at 7:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Sanjay Mehta

To put the rumoured price in perspective, the Nokia E90 sells for INR 36k and is difficult to get as it's almost always out of stock.

Craigslist usually has a few unlocked iphones for sale around INR 22k, BTW.

April 19 2008 at 9:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Karan Jain

Rs. 28,000 isn't all that bad for the iPhone. The unlocked ones sell in the gray/black market for Rs. 31000 to 33000, depending on the capacity.
Back in September I bought 5 iPhones (before the no cash embargo went up), unlocked em and sold each for Rs 35000 and they were the freakin' 4GB models.
I guess $700 seems a lot in the US, but the phone culture is very different in India, and there are countless people willing to spend that much for phones. Besides, when it comes out, it won't be long before the prices drop to more competitive levels.

April 19 2008 at 1:12 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

south

lol, Canada. no Apple Stores, no iPhones...
that must really burn :)

April 18 2008 at 11:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to south's comment

Pierce

It really sucks man. It's starting to get better, there's a new flagship (2 store) Apple store opening in Vancouver this summer. But man, I really hope I'll have my iPhone in hand for that event...

April 19 2008 at 1:34 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Pierce

(2 story***)

April 19 2008 at 1:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

meeee

as many have pointed out...

Vodafone â‰ Vodaphone

The article itself has some correct spellings though. :/

April 18 2008 at 5:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to meeee's comment

meeee

By the way, your tag is wrong as well.

April 18 2008 at 5:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Pierce