iPhone is in Malaysia!

March 14th, 2009 at 10:35 · Filed Under Blogging, Business, Computing, Phones, iPhone

The long awaited Apple iPhone 3G has finally arrived in Malaysia. Apple’s website announced its arrival today and Maxis has begun informing its customers via SMS a few days ago. I was in joy receiving the SMS and quickly went to Maxis website to check out the details.

The iPhone 3G that makes you drool...

I was truly disappointed after reading the details on Maxis’ website. The selling price is very high and apart of this, Maxis locks you in with either 24 months or 6 months contract. The worst thing is that if you breach the service contract or choose to opt out before the contract matured, there is a huge penalty awaiting you ahead.

We have paid so much for the iPhone with our own pocket, why is there still hefty monthly service fees and contract commitment?

Is that another dirty Apple‘s trick?

It looks kind of odd for an Apple enthusiast like me to comment about Apple negatively in two consecutive blog entries.

In my opinion, Apple’s marketing and sales strategies have leveraged Apple to become the most successful and profitable computer company. Ever since Apple released the first generation iPhone, it has become a hit globally including Malaysia. You will not be surprised to read petitions from fellow Malaysians to urge Apple to make available iPhone in Malaysia as soon as possible.

Well, like else everywhere, Apple does not only make profit from iPhone sales, it makes another tier of profit from the service contracts. The arrangement is made with service provider prior to the launch of iPhone. That’s why Maxis’ iPhone service contract comes with huge unfair penalty.

Very well, to me, iPhone is a nice to have it but not a must have but still wants to have it kind of thing. It is cool. It will make heads turn and eyes pop when you take your iPhone out of your pocket.

If you read carefully Maxis iPhone 3G rate plans here, you will find the data service is not unlimited. There is additional data usage charge after you have used up the allocated usage stipulated under your contract.

Now a dangerous pitfall that will lead you to huge phone bill is that if you are using some iPhone apps which automatically connect to Internet to update itself or sync information, your usage meter will be running without you knowing it until your bill arrives. Most applications will connect to Internet automatically even your iPhone is in standby mode. Beware!

Personally, I prefer using an iPod Touch and a regular cell phone to having the all-in-one iPhone. I will have total freedom to change my phone as I wish or when necessary. With iPhone, you are locked in with it unless you become to hate it so much and will just chuck it away into the garbage.

I still will consider getting an iPhone if Apple allows iPhone users to choose any service provider they like. I believe iPhone sales will leap even higher with this restriction removed.

As for the running meter of data service, I am not too concerned as I will be able to comprehend and prevent it as I am technically savvy. How about people who are not? They will either have to pay huge bills or to disable iPhone apps. What use then if you disable iPhone apps?

Tags: Apple, iPhone, Maxis

Comments

7 Responses to “iPhone is in Malaysia!”

Mee on March 14th, 2009 14:38 1

It is not worth the money for an iphone even it makes heads turn. Same here in the US. Given that the technology changes so rapidly, it will be obsolete in due time. Google has a interesting service. Forget about the iphone – it is overprced for a piece of plastic esp. not in this economy. I don’t even have a cell phone – just remember where you were 10 years ago when cell phone was not avaiable and people are still able to communicate. Even with phones, why have them when one does not answers the calls so why bother having a service contract!
Katyy on March 14th, 2009 16:33 2

Adrian, I agree with you. It is quite expensive to sign up an iPhone 3G service contract here in Norway. Unfortunately, I signed up! Can’t resist the temptation and now I am kind of regretting it.

I am considering to switch to iPod Touch plus a regular phone after my service contract has ended coming January. I just wished I had read your blog before I acted without thought.
Adrian Hoe on March 14th, 2009 17:51 3

Kate,

I believe you signed up months before I wrote this post. I am sorry to hear your regret but hey, enjoy your iPhone.

There will be soon large amount of jail-broke iPhone floating in Malaysia’s market. It already happens else where. Hope the hacking activities will soon push Apple to remove such restriction. I would immediately order one when the iPhone becomes as free as other commodity phones.

I will visit Maxis next week to see if I can resist the temptation.
dragon on March 15th, 2009 21:11 4

An iPod Touch and cell phone combination is good enough. I lost my cell phone two days ago and I am still having my data on iPod. Just bought another new phone this afternoon.
jameslu on March 18th, 2009 11:30 5

I bought a jail-broke iPhone 3 months ago. It was a bad decision. Some apps do not work and can’t upgrade to Apple’s new iPhone firmware. Can’t sync well with iTunes as well.

My advice: DON’T buy jail-broke iPhone. It is a piece of shit.
PB on May 28th, 2009 23:25 6

It is not worth the money for an iphone even it makes heads turn. Same here in the US. Given that the technology changes so rapidly, it will be obsolete in due time. Google has a interesting service. Forget about the iphone – it is overprced for a piece of plastic esp. not in this economy. I don’t even have a cell phone – just remember where you were 10 years ago when cell phone was not avaiable and people are still able to communicate. Even with phones, why have them when one does not answers the calls so why bother having a service contract!
Pragmatic Revelations : I got an iPhone on January 8th, 2010 12:46 7

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