Iphone - I-dilemma

The One?

Truth be told, I had fixed my sights on the iphone ever since it was launched here. However, the feedback and reviews the phone has been getting has not been really encouraging. The plans and data limits are terribly restricted and a month's usage may render me penniless upon receiving my phone bills. I am not really good with technology but I did manage to find a rather comprehensive article on why the iphone isn't as marvelous as what it is put up to be. Here's the article that greatly influenced my decision to give the iphone, as much as I am still crazy over it, a miss... [http://practicallife.wordpress.com/... thats the blog address... do browse through this blog, it does provide a rather interesting read. After this article below, he did write a follow up article on the general performance of the iphone after he purchased one... and just so you know... the second article didn't help change my decision much either]

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Apple has been very good at coming up with innovative products from iPod classic, shuffle, Touch, then iPhone.  After a long wait, (legitimate) iPhone finally arrived in Singapore. I gave it a miss on their launch and I gave it another miss last Sunday. Read on why…

Before I start with the ‘why’, I need to establish an impression on where I am or why I am qualified to have an opinion that I have. I travel a lot and I worked in telecommunication industry for almost 10 years now. Mobile phone is a must and I depend on it a lot. I have at least 4 primary phones that I bring around everywhere with spare batteries for each phone. I choose phone based on their performance, stability and versatility and almost of my choices are the popular phones in the market.  Example: Nokia N95, N95 8GB, E90 Communicator, N73, etc. These phones are really popular not because heavy ads or something but due to its design and performance.

Few of the most basic criteria of a mobile phone is stability, usability and coverage. 

1. Phone must be stable so that it is dependable as reliable communication devices.
2. Phone must have a high usability that it is easy to use and intuitive. This includes a good and friendly user interface.
3. Phone must have a good coverage i.e. multiple radios to ensure coverage in different part of the world.

iPhone, despite all it’s features and hype, does not meet all of the above. I was so glad that I didn’t purchase the iPhone during its launch. When I read that Apple has released new software for the phone v2.1 and the fixes includes ‘ less dropped call, improve battery life, etc’ I can only think that previous software must be crappy. A phone can’t be dropping calls due to software!! It is understandable if network coverage is bad but not the phone itself. In my opinion, it has to prove itself as a stable device to be use for a consumer primary device.

iPhone also associated with ‘locking’ customer to an operator. Despite the one sold in Singapore are unlocked but it is not really full unlocked just like any other phones sold in the local market. Why?

1. SingTel always stated ‘Use SingTel SIM card to experience the iPhone’. The staff at SingTel shops always downplay the possibility of using the phone with m1 or starhub cards.
2. It has a limit of 4 SIM card, after which the phone is locked. I’m not sure if that’s a 4x change of SIM card or 4 different unique SIM card. Have you heard any unlocked/normal phones that has a limit of number SIM card it’ll allow to? Well I haven’t.

iPhone has also a unique revenue sharing contract, this lead to higher monthly plan than any other phone. Compare M1’s SunSaver which offer similar talk time to SingTel iPhone’s base Flexi plan but at about S$ 15 more.

Last Friday, I came to Singtel ComCentre to get an iphone also to see the product myself. The staff (even those specialized at iPhone) are not fully competent in answering my questions. The staff unable to explain in details the limitation of 4 SIM cards (unique or number of SIM card change). One staff said it’ll NOT work with M1/Starhub SIM Card which is incorrect.

Other gripes? well plenty:

1. Battery is not removable - Bad design, considering that we need to use the phone extended time at certain occasions and battery needs to be able to be replaced.
2. Can’t cut and paste - Really a showstopper
3. Can’t forward SMS - What.. Missing basic feature?
4. Can’t do video call - hello…… 3G -> Video call!! esp. with that bigsized screen
5. 2Mpix camera without autofocus or flash -> What kind of outdated camera is that?
6. Spend more $$$ to get decent pouch or risk having the iPhone cosmetically damaged very soon.

It may be a beautiful product, but to me it’s a fashion phone rather than a reliable phone. I’d rather get a basic phone that does excellent basic call function rather than a polished and shiny phone with a dropped call.

When I called SingTel customer service, the officer mentioned that plenty of stocks still available. Interesting! What is more interesting is that, Singtel sent an email today:

If you port your mobile number to SingTel and purchase an iPhone, we guarantee your iFlexi plan won’t be beaten by anyone else!*

Our records indicate that you have not purchased your iPhone 3G from SingTel.

I am so confident about our iPhone offer, if and when our competition launches a cheaper iPhone 3G rate plan, we will match it.

This offer is just for you and is not transferable! You must bring this letter to a hello! store before 30 September 2008 to be eligible.

There has never been a better time to experience the iPhone 3G on SingTel’s unrivalled 3G network.

For more details on pricing please visitwww.singtel.com/iphone

What’s stopping you from porting your mobile number to SingTel today and getting your own iPhone 3G?

*SingTel iPhone 3G Price Plan Guarantee: If you come across an advertised post paid mobile iPhone 3G bundled price plan from another service provider in Singapore before 31 December 2008 we make sure you are not worse off for your price plan as follows:If the included bundle of local outgoing voice minutes, local SMS and data bundle is similar and the subscription price lower we will match the bundle for local voice, local SMS, data and subscription price.If the subscription price is similar, but the plan includes more local outgoing voice minutes, local SMS and data bundle we will match the bundle for local outgoing voice minutes, local SMS, data and subscription price.The matching will be for the duration of your fixed term post paid contract with SingTel. This is a special promotion for the person named in this email and is not transferable. You must port your number to SingTel post paid to be eligible for the iPhone 3G Price Plan Guarantee. If you come across a cheaper advertised rate, you must let SingTel know by sending an email to iphone@singtel.com. We will verify your e-mail and change your rates within two months of you letting us know. Cancellation fees and other costs may apply when you switch from your current provider. SingTel’s normal credit policies and terms and conditions apply.

 The way I read this, the sales of Iphone is not that well. Stocks aplenty and it tries to assure customer to get iphone now rather than later by Starhub or M1. I also read that it is quite confident that no rates will be lower than Singtel until end of the year. So does Starhub and M1 will only launch iPhone next year? Let’s see.  

Whatever it is, it’s not a fully matured product, not really cheap initially, expensive running cost and restrictive (SIM limitation), etc. iPhone - good bye for now… Ring me again when you’re better shape and when operator charges better for your services.

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Thats that for the preview/review of the Iphone and the plans and services which come with it... opinions anyone?