Back in September 2010, I wrote about Smart’s bid to carry the iPhone 4 in the Philippines. The commitment price then was allegedly in the 6-billion peso range {read story here}. That did not pan out but Smart continues to talk to Apple regarding their internet-enabled iDevices.
I’ve chatted with several Smart execs about this before and though they say that they’re continuously talking to Apple, they would not comment on the iPhone itself. Turns out the big PLDT man himself has spilled the beans (my guess is that this was prematurely announced).
A report from Inquirer.net quoted Manny V. Pangilinan confirming that Smart will carry the iPhone 4S by December.
Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Smart’s parent firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., confirmed that Smart was in talks with Apple to launch the latest version of the iPhone—iPhone4S—before yearend.
“We’re working on the iPhone4 first because there’s a lot of demand for it,†he said.
The iPhone 4S will be offered to the high-end subscribers of Smart so we’re looking at Plan UnliData 4000 or All-In Plan 3500 (probably with some cash out).
For more than 3 years, Globe has captured the iPhone market in the Philippines, leaving Smart no choice but to pick Windows Phone 7 and Android devices as their flagship handsets (Smart has a strong partnership with HTC to bringing premium Android handsets in the country). They also banked on their Netphone strategy but that’s mostly Android as well.
It will be interesting how Smart will position the iPhone 4S to its subscribers and how this affect its partnership with HTC. More importantly, we’re all interested how much the iPhone 4S be priced once it lands on their lap.
I wish this develoment will bring down the crazy iphone price here and that the iphones will be factory unlocked when it lands. I always like smart’s plans and billing. Globe’s customer service should improve or else they will be left in the mud.
Friend ko loyal sa globe, he got samsung S2 for free after his contract dun sa postpaid. Kaso madugong proseso pinagdaanan nya. Nokia basic phone lang ang unang retention offer sa kanya. hahaha
tama globe is not offering new phones for their loyal subscriber kahit willing pa na mag contract uli, ang sabi sa akin i need to apply a new plan which means i will have a new number, maganda sana ang plans offer nila compare sa smart, kaya lang after ng contract mo wala ng after support.
Does it mean na hanggang iphone 4 nalang ang Globe? Or it will offer pa rin ng 4S?
should i cancel my N9 reservation? (esep-esep)
Knowing Smart, the lowest memory iPhone 4S will be free at Plan 3000 Unlidata. Smart has always offered better prices (rather, better phones at lower plans), albeit at the cost of options as Smart doesn’t carry a range of phones as varied as Globe’s.
I mean, c’mon. Smart offers the HTC Sensation with NO cashout at Plan 2000 Unlidata! That’s definitely a steal.
The best move for Globe would probably be to bring the Galaxy Nexus to the Philippines. Or the Nokia Lumia 800 at that.
Yes, that’s what I was told by a Samsung rep. Galaxy Nexus sale in the Philippines has been given to Globe! ;-)
Hopefully the competition should result in lower prices. Globe charges 37K for a pre-paid iPhone 4. Based on selling prices of other Apple products here at the Apple store, it should cost not more than 31K un-subsidized.
magkakaalaman na kung sino ang mas bebenta sa kanila sa iPhone 4S..Smart vs Globe…
High end subscribers who can afford iphone 4s prefer Globe over Smart because Smart cheap ang dating. lol
It is a privileged to both of them to be used and tried by subscribers.
selling brand new SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE! 1 stock left
37000.00, call for faster transaction 091785*****
Next stop Sun Cellular!!!
Now Im holding up my postpaid application to Globe! Im eyeing for the Smart All-In Plan for the iPhone 4S.. Yay! I am currently subscribed to the Smart Unli Postpaid. Will change my subscription when iPhone 4S is available… =D
so wala na exclusivity ang globe to iphone? sana nga with this impending iphone competition, bumaba ang presyo ng globe…
JKisaragi says:
Maybe now Globe will consider taking care of their existing subscribers a bit more.
Let em relate to y’all:
Around 5 or 6 months ago, I went to Globe Eastwood to apply for an iPhone 4. Being a loyal customer (over 13 years with 4 lines), I expected some consideration. This is what I got: “I’m sorry, sir. It makes no difference if you’re a loyal customer. You have to terminate 1 of your lines and apply for a new one to get the iPhone 4.”
So to this very day I constantly remind myself…that time will eventually come and I’m gonna bump into the Globe CEO…he’s gonna get a mouthful.
also had the same experience. i’d been a loyal Globe subscriber for 8 yrs now and i was also told like that. it was really sad and maddening. maybe this deal will open up their eyes…
same here. globe does not offer retention plans unlike smart and sun who offer free phones to subscribers who are outside their current plan. @globe, you have to cancel your old number and apply for a new plan. globe is the last when it comes to rewarding loyal consumer. i retain my globe subscription just because i have no choice. my business is directly associated with my globe number. although im planning to shift to globe’s lowest plan and subscribe to smart as my new main number.
This is very true. Globe doesn’t care about its existing customers. Even the rewards program is twisted. Existing locked-in customers are NOT allowed to redeem rewards. Once you’re out of the lock-in period, you’re required to be locked-in again for another 2 years just to redeem the rewards. I had enough so I terminated my plan for good and I’ll just stick with Sun.
Globe: outdated and primitive way of dealing with their customers, kulang sa breeding tsk tsk tsk
This will bring up the competition in the country. I’m wondering how will this affect Globe on their promo?and how will Smart match Globe’s postpaid plans? :D .. For sure not only smart subscriber will benefit on this but also globe subscriber because of the competition ..
and if they bring it here, perhaps apple store philippines will also start selling unlocked iphones as well. good for everyone who wants to have a bite on apple.
FYI, there is no official Apple Store in the Philippines. All we have are ‘resellers’.
No iTunes Store = No Official Apple Store.
1337, Leo is probably talking about the online Apple Store Philippines.
to 1337 there is an official Apple Store in the Philippines and itunes store I even buy apps there
There is no official Apple store in the Philippines.When you try to buy from store.apple(dot)com/ph the product be ship from Singapore to Philippines. If you saw one apple store here it’s 100% fake.. If you try to click contact apple Singapore from their website it will display their address “7 Ang Mo Kio Street 64
Singapore 569086” while store.apple(dot)com/ph it say’s Cupertino..
That’s right chris. ;)
Joe & post_app are loyal Apple fanboys. :D
Maybe now Globe will consider taking care of their existing subscribers a bit more.
I’m seeing this as a definite win for consumers.
LIKE!
So this mean that iphone 4s will be available in the Philippines by December 2011.
Aplle already announced that the iPhone4S will launch by the end of the year to the rest of 70 countries after HK tomorrow….
The beauty of competition. . I hope they bring the prices down.