Rumor: Unicom iPhone 3G 8GB Bundle Priced at RMB 5,099
Tencent Tech, 9/25/09
A new industry rumor regarding China Unicom's (NYSE: CHU; 0762.HK; 600050.SH) iPhone sales plans claims users who purchase an iPhone 3G with the minimal 8GB configuration will pay RMB 2,075 for the phone and will be required to sign a two-year contract. The lowest priced contract will reportedly cost RMB 3,024, or RMB 126 per month, bringing the minimum combined cost of the phone plus calling package to RMB 5,099.
Reportedly the Unicom iPhone will go on sale after the week-long National Day holiday at the start of October, with four models from two generations of the iPhone possibly going on sale at the same time.
Users looking for a free iPhone 3GS will be required to subscribe to the most expensive monthly plan at RMB 586 per month, totaling RMB 14,064 for a two-year contract - far more than the previous rumor, which claimed subscribers would receive one after purchasing RMB 6,000 in prepaid calling credit.
Though the latest rumor indicates that the iPhone 3GS will go on sale at the same time as the iPhone 3G, there have been no reports of the 3GS receiving a network access permit, casting some doubt on whether sales of the phone will be permitted to start after the National Day holiday.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "Rumor: Unicom iPhone to Start at RMB 1,999"MD 9/18/09 issue.
Keywords: pricing China Unicom holiday iPhone wireless network access permit 3G 0762.HK 600050.SH CHU handset smartphone bundling PAYG
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