Apple has announced that the new iPhones will soon be available in Malaysia and MalaysianWireless has managed to obtain the likely pricing of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in Malaysia(Thanks to some wonderful people that we know).
The pricing of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C that are stated below may not be the same for all mobile operators. This is because Apple has no control over the final price, for reasons unknown to us, similar to what happened last year (DiGi has set the Phone 5 retail pricing higher).
The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will be offered by Maxis, Celcom and DiGi starting 31st October, 2013. Below are the expected iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C pricing in Malaysia:
- iPhone 5C (16GB): RM1899
- iPhone 5S (16GB): RM2299
- iPhone 5S (32GB): RM2599
- iPhone 5S (64GB): RM2899
There could be about a RM100 difference between certain operators for the iPhone 5S. As for the iPhone 5C at RM1899, we can confirm that this is the RRP that has been set by Maxis and Celcom while DiGi is still finalising all their pricing at the point of writing.
The iPhone 5S and 5C launch in Malaysia this year may not be as exciting as the years before.
There won’t be the usual “midnight launch”. Telcos such as Celcom is planning for a launch event during the day, on 31st October. We heard Maxis is still deciding on the launch(its a new management and a new devices team) while DiGi will focus at their online store to drive the iPhone 5S/5C sales. Despite all these, its high likely that all 3 Telcos might do a launch event.
We think Apple has overpriced the iPhone 5C in Malaysia, thus the reason why we did not reveal the iPhone 5C 32GB pricing(because we did not ask). Its not just Malaysia, Apple appears to be making the same pricing mistake in other countries, raising concerns about demand for the iPhone 5C (C does not stand for Cheap).
Apple is said to be cutting production orders for the cheaper plastic-backed iPhone 5C just a month after its launch at the same time as the iPhone 5S, a source familiar with its supply chain told Reuters on Wednesday. On the other hand, iPhone 5S appears to be selling very well.
Less than 2-weeks to go before the iPhone 5S and 5C launch in Malaysia. Contract plans for the iPhone 5S and 5C are expected to be revealed next week, or the following week, follow us on Facebook for the latest updates!
[Update 1, 7.55pm]: Those looking to buy the iPhone 5C with contract from Maxis/Celcom/DiGi, the phone is expected to cost from as low as RM1.2K-RM1.3K, despite Apple wanted to operators to subsidize it to below RM1,000.
[Official Update 2, 23 Oct, 3.22am]: Apple has unveiled the official RRP of the iPhone 5S & iPhone 5C in Malaysia:
- iPhone 5S (16GB)- RM2399
- iPhone 5S (32GB)- RM2749
- iPhone 5S (64GB) – RM3149
- iPhone 5C (16GB)- RM1999
- iPhone 5C (32GB)- RM2399
Despite these pricing, we still believe that the Telcos will have different prices. As for now we know Celcom will sell the iPhone 5C at RM1899 and high likely that Maxis will follow. However DiGi might sell the iPhone 5C at a higher price- RM20xx. For the iPhone 5S, we can confirm that DiGi will also carry the same RRP as the official Apple pricing.
