Open Line iPhones at €999 euros

That’s how much would an open line (legit unlocked) iPhone would have cost if Apple did not enter into any 2-year contract with the telcos.

By open line, we mean no software unlocking, hardware soldering, Jailbraking, or bricked warranty-less iPhone.

Imagine? That’s $1,477PHP 86,678INR 125,175EUR 1,407CNY 10,750 or Php64,000USD 1,091INR 92,454EUR 1,039CNY 7,942 a pop. It’s probably the most expensive mass market mobile phone ever. The Nokia N95 went out at around Php38,000USD 648INR 54,895EUR 617CNY 4,716 while that shiny black N8800 was going for Php45,000USD 767INR 65,007EUR 730CNY 5,585 before.

Due to a recent court injunction in Germany, Deutsche Telekom AG’s mobile unit said it would offer Apple Inc.’s popular iPhone without a contract after Vodafone challenged T-Mobile’s exclusive lock on the handset. The iPhone will go on sale contract-free in Germany for €999 euros. A discounted €399 euros ($590PHP 34,624INR 50,002EUR 562CNY 4,294) iPhone is available in combination with a two-year contract {source: CNN}.

That $1,477PHP 86,678INR 125,175EUR 1,407CNY 10,750 is excruciatingly expensive, even for a phone which Times named as invention of the year. Knowing that Apple allocates huge budget for marketing, it’s no wonder how the retail cost of the iPhone reached that figure.

My bet is that when Apple ties the knot with either Smart or Globe in 2008, the iPhone would cost around Php25,000USD 426INR 36,115EUR 406CNY 3,103 upfront plus a Php5,000USD 85INR 7,223EUR 81CNY 621 monthly plan for 24 months.

(Note: 1 euro = 1.4745 U.S. dollars = ~65 philippine peso)