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iPad now available in the Philippines

iPad in the Philippines
After an eight month wait, the iPad is finally available for purchase in the Philippines. The popular tablet device now appears on Apple's Philippines website and should be on the shelves of Apple resellers in the island chain. Pricing for the iPad is slightly more expensive than the U.S. with the base 16 GB WiFi model available for PHP23,990 (US$549) and the 3G-enabled 16 GB model starting at PHP30,990 (US$705).

Apple was particularly slow in getting this tablet into the hands of the Filipino people. The iPad took almost a year since its announcement to finally debut, while the iPhone 4 debuted in September, a relatively short three months after its official announcement. I wonder if Filipino customers are overjoyed to finally buy the iPad locally or if public sentiment towards the tablet is tarnished by this long rollout cycle?

This continued rollout is a testament to the popularity of Apple's tablet device. Rather than cut back on distribution of a product that is late in its development cycle, Apple continues to push out the tablet device. Here in the U.S., retail distribution channels have skyrocketed and the iPad is now available from Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Verizon Wireless, and Sam's Club. Of course, Apple may also be using these new retail channels to move current inventory as it prepares to possibly announce and launch the iPad 2 early next year.

Thanks to Ppip for sending this in!

[Via Yugatech]



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After an eight month wait, the iPad is finally available for purchase in the Philippines. The popular tablet device now appears on Apple's...
 

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lino

ohh, those were 'grey market' ipads that have been out in the philippines? when i was out there this past summer, the prices were pretty much the same (SM City mall, iloilo city, philippines). that's good to know apple can afford to release out there (officially) :P

December 17 2010 at 9:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Edsel

Those are mighty big numbers. It's like looking into the 30 year future of U.S. Apple prices. ;)

December 17 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Susana

This is good news for Filipinos. Seeing as some gray market sellers here in the Philippines charge outrageous prices for the iPad, Apple is sure to set the standard, and also knowing that your warranty can be honored by the authorized reseller is great.

Interestingly, though, some gray market sellers have lower prices than the ones proposed by Apple... They might just keep the prices they had, as you need an incentive to buy from them if warranty is honored only in the US.

Example from an online shop:
Apple iPad (WIFI ONLY)

16GB P24,200

32GB P28,500

64GB P33,000




Apple iPad 3G with WIFI

16GB P29,200

32GB P34,000

64GB P38,900

December 17 2010 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
WT2AH

I don't know what's the big deal. Everyone I know in the Philippines already gray marketed their ipad through friends abroad or on their international trips. This will just impact the secondary market.

December 17 2010 at 11:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to WT2AH's comment
bernie.janda

The big deal is this: official support is now available in the Philippines, meaning those who bought their units overseas (or through the grey market) may now claim warranty on any authorized Apple reseller.

December 18 2010 at 7:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pulsecheck

That's a lot of money for Filipinos. I don't see the iPad being a big hit there.

December 17 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to pulsecheck's comment
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