Dubai: etisalat has finally brought iPhone 3G to UAE and Saudi Arabia through its subsidiary Mobily.
"iPhone is a perfect blend of advanced functionality and high performance and we are delighted to be one of the first operators in the region to offer this to our customers on the nation's most advanced high-speed network to make calls, send emails and surf the web even faster," Essa Al Haddad, etisalat Chief Marketing Officer, said.
etisalat's powerful 3G mobile broadband network offers various service packages - four types - for both the 8GB model and 16GB model with download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and upload speed of 1.9 Mbps.
The operator offers one free postpaid sim card with each price plan.
The basic cost of 8GB iPhone is Dh2,646 while 16GB costs Dh3,090 under Postpaid Plan 1 for one-year contract.
The monthly rental charges wary from Dh199-Dh643 for both 8GB and 16GB models. 500MB of data can be downloaded per month for Postpaid Plan 1 while 2000MB of data can be downloaded for Postpaid Plan 4.
Will you buy the iPhone 3G? Do you find the prices and service charges reasonable?
Your comments
The charges seems to be unreasonable. Etisalat will not find adequate number of customers in this price structure.
Meera
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 14:47
The price is not suitable, so please lower it down so many can afford to buy and enjoy this 3G iphone.
John
Deira,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 14:36
Its not reasonable for a one year contract, I have one which costs less money and no need to pay every year.
hayder
dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 14:00
It is not Iphone, it is YouPhone or some others phone launched.. Too expensive!
Kiran Arjun
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 13:59
i like iphone because of features but if that price i can buy nevermind i just go with other phone's.
Niel
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 13:59
It's way too expensive....too expensive and too Late! Introduce another set of plans please...
Achilles Caballero
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 13:56
Is this a joke? I mean, seriously, the price tag is ridiculous! And what's with this that I hear, people who already own an iPhone will have to buy a new one from Etisalat to be eligible for the data plan?
Asad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 13:50
I will not buy it, no way, it is expensive and there are no plans for the prepaid as declared earlier, I can buy it for Dh2,500 from the market without monthly rental
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 12:04
The cost of the unit is too much, compared to the US cost. The monthly rental too is very high.
Asadullah Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 12:03
Too Expensive :(
B.K. Abbasi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 12:01
Its too late to launch iPhone.. there are much better phones available in the UAE market now.
Raj
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 12:00
It is nice for launching the 3G Iphone by Etisalat. But the prices...
Niraj Bhol
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 11:58
Yeah, it is good to know Etisalat launched i-phone but the charges are very very high, apart its not pre paid but only post paid
Nauman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 11:58
It is good news but the cost of the unit is too much. Etisalat should also provide services to those who already have the iphone 3G and service charges are not reasonable at all. I just want to know will etisalat block the users who already using IPhone 3G which is purchased from US.
Uday Menon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 11:53
I am extremely disappointed to see the pricing structure. It'll cost a fortune to own one i-Phone. If there is plan attached to subscription then mobile price should be $199 or AED 730.
Muhammad Jehanzeb
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 11:50
It's very expensive compared to other countries where this facility is available. Etisalat's i-phone available in the market 16 Gb around 2400 dhs.
Fernandes
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 11:44
I heard this offer and I am happy now, this is the good way.
Shehab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 10:16
Please send me total cost of these models. Is it possible to use in India?
Mathew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 10:01
It is good to hear the official launch of the iPhone through etisalat, though the phone has been around for a while now. The success of the iphone will depend on etisalat's marketing in showing the distinct advantages that each of the packaged plans will have in comparison with subscribing for the connection and data package separately. Consumers in the UAE have been accustomed to buying a mobile phone (standalone) and then deciding the subscription and operator and data package that they want subsequently, with the exception of the Blackberry service.
Shyam Prasad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 10:00
Service charges are not reasonable at all, I don't find any reason for it.
Jatinder Sembhi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:54
Etisalat should also provide services to those who already have the iphone 3G. I bought an iphone from the US and using it in UAE today. I called etisalat and they are saying that you have to buy the phone from them if you want to use the service.
Imran Salahuddin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:46
It's great to have iphone in the region no one expected it so early. Wonderful thing will be if service is available for people who already have iphone handsets.
A.Kamran
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:43
Prices are very high and people who are using prepaid card they will never switch to postpaid and why to pay unnecessary monthly rental.
Amit Rajput
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:42
Yes it is good news, I was waiting for iphone to launch in the UAE since 2006, but price is very high. Data Charges are too high and in other part of the world Data charges are almost next to nothing.
Adnan Ansari
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:41
The cost of the unit is too much, compared to the US cost. The monthly rental too is very high.
Suresh Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:37
I think it is way too expensive. I would rather use my conventional phone.
Ronald
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:31
etisalat opens one more option. Now we have two mobile phone packages. I'll go for iphone.
Raza Mahmoud
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:30
I think the price is too much. and to be very honest iphone is nothing but scrap. iphone is just having good UI only. It has no good quality camera. The technological disadvantage make iphone nothing but old style phone.
Anjum nawab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:28
It's good news that Apple's iphone will be available through Etisalat, as it's the best for today's business life while everyone wants to save time, so it will be helpful having different packages. But why Etisalat don't offer it to prepaid sim card holders on a one year contract?
Abdul Majid
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:26
How is it that the subsidized price of the phone on plan 1 is higher than the non-subsidized retail cost in the United States? And if you want a decent price for the phone, you end up having to sign a contract costing you a minimum of almost $100 per month. These prices are ridiculous and it would make more sense to import one from the US or Hong Kong and get a regular plan.
Bob Horwith
Los Angeles,USA
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:22
I can say the price is reasonable for those you can afford it, but in our global situation now a days, people would think twice about it.
Nette
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:22
yes I found the prices reasonable but i just want to know clear details about the monthly rental charges. Please send me the details as i would like to purchase the iPhone.
Shaikh Masoud
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:19
Its too late to launch iPhone. There are much better phones available in the UAE market now.
Raj
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:12
The price of the instrument seems to be affordable, but the serivce charges are well beyond reach of a common man, due to the same reason we have to restrain from buying the instrument.
Huzaifa Hashmi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:11
It's very expensive. Price is not reasonable at all. More expensive than other markets.
Jamal Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:11
The iPhone has been long overdue and certainly has lost much of its charm. The feeling is like waiting for more than two years for a ShahRukh Khan movie to release! Moreover, the price on the phone is absurd, especially since other manufacturers have models with higher specifications at lesser rates.
Aamir Suleman
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:10
Yes, I will buy the iPhone 3G on this fair price and I am very execited to get it as soon as possible.
Zubair Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:04
Charges are still high on mobile!
A. R. Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 09:03
It is very expensive, I will not buy this.
Mumtaz Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:54
I think etisalat is too late because all technology and Gadget lovers already have the iphone. Any how best of luck.
Mohammad Rizwan Sabir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:54
No I am not going to buy the package its so high.
zia
DXB,Pakistan
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:42
How can i apply for postpaid plan? i like to get these apple Iphone.
Irene Agcaoili
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:39
This was a bad news for the customers who had waited for iphone for the last few months, and i am sure that only a few people can buy at this rate..
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:39
I will surely buy the iphone provided the rates are lowered for both the phones and the network charges.
Brian Cordeiro
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:35
No. The prices are unreasonable. iphone is no more exclusive. We have other brands all lining up good competitive phones at reasonable prices
Batra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:34
First of all, I am an avid fan of Mac. I am currently using thier products and I think are good value for money. I am also using an Ipod touch and Iphone. I think the charges and the monthly fee from etisalat are fair. The main reason why I like their products because of the quality and tons of applications. I would love to buy the Iphone 3G because it has a nice, feature rich, portable and easy to handheld device that revolutionised the way people are using mobile phones. It is a multi-touch smartphone also that has successfully combined multimedia, email, business and internet into a single platform. Services offered by etisalat are good.
Edwin Ibanez
Abu Dhabi,Philippines
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:27
The phone price is reasonable but the monthly package is too much ....
Walid
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:21
What price is this? they must be joking...i better buy a laptop!
Rash
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:16
I find the price too high for the handset and the monthly charges. i will not go for this service.
Mushtaq Mohiuddin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:14
I cannot understand how the iphone is globally sold by operators for $200 and etisalat wants to sell it for such an amount, and I think if people wait for some time the "legacy iphone 3G" will be sold free because it is old.
Sam
Ajman,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 08:05
I will not buy this iphone as the plan is very expensive. What's so special in this iphone that I will buy it with this expensive plan?
Mustafa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 07:59
No way. The iphone 3G launched by etisalat is extremely overpriced!
Sulaiman
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 07:47
I think it's very expensive. Compared to $200 in US.
Shezad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 07:33
I already have a 16GB Iphone. Since 5 months I am wondering to have 3G services from Etisalat, but they kept on saying that the Apple Iphone is not supported by Etisalat. Now we will see what will happen in the future.
Waheed Sarwar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 07:23
price is not that much but rental should have same as GSM.
Ishtiaq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 07:12
I've already bought the iPhone 3G but price for 3G data here is too expensive (if not the most expensive) so iPhone can not use all options.
Maciek
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 06:59
An unpleasant surprise. Was looking forward to getting the iPhone from Etisalat, but the payment plan has totally put me off.
Shiv
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 06:32
I was hoping that once Etisalat officially lauches the iPhone, the price tag would be a bit decent, like in the US. But No! Etisalat is pricing it a bit too high.
Shaminda
Dubai,Uae
Posted: February 22, 2009, 06:31
I do plan on buying one, though if I wait until vacation I could buy one in the USfor less, they are overpriced here. As is most new to the market items. Still I will buy it.
Keith Schulze
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 05:56
I already possess one. Bought it months back when I toured Europe. It's quiet an advanced phone with some great facilities.
Sanish C.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 05:48
i am intrested in official iphone for which i have been waitng for but certain things need to be clear that is what does basic iphone means what and till the time, the postpaid plans are not clear, cant say anything.
mahendra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 02:33
I don't think etisalat would attract many customers since most of potential buyers have already bought other versions. The other issue seems to be monthly rental charges that discourages people from buying it.
Enayat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 01:29
From my point of view i feel the price is really good, and the offer they are giving also good
Al Dhaheri
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 01:26
I was waiting for iphone 3G to release. But it's expensive. I'm happy with my older version iphone, with no service charges.
Ahmad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 22, 2009, 01:12
