5 reasons why Apple won’t release Iphone in Malaysia
Written by Irwan on January 23, 2008 – 2:45 am
People are hoping that Apple will release Iphone in Malaysian market. Here are the reasons why I think Iphone won’t be released here.
Malaysian market is too small
I know Malaysian are very quick in adopting new technology especially in handphone market. However, the numbers are quite small comparing to other eastern countries like Japan. And having to deal with Malaysia lock policy, I bet we won’t be on top of the list.
It’s illegal to lock any phone in Malaysia
Just like France and Germany, we have a law to prevent any phone to be locked to certain providers. Apple either has to release an unlocked version or not to release it at all. Considering that Apple is making much money by sharing revenue with telco providers, it’s a loss for them to release an unlocked version.
Suggested price for unlocked version would be around RM3600++
Apple released unlocked Iphone in France for 749 Euro and in Germany for 999 Euro to compensate for the revenue that Apple would get in subscribers payment. If we convert that amount into Malaysian Ringgit, it would be RM3600 to RM4790 per unit. It’s very expensive for a smartphone. Besides that, people are selling self-unlocked Iphone at RM2300 -RM2600. I don’t know about you but paying extra RM1000 for valid warranty and upgrade seems too much.
No 3G
I thought this would not be an important reason but after using Iphone for months, it feels like I would kill to have 3G. Browsing using Iphone would be so much fun if a website doesn’t need at least 30 seconds to load its page. After you have tried navigating
Self-unlocked Iphone is more fun
If you want peace of mind and stay with original firmware, you are losing big time. While there are bunches of web application which don’t require you to install anything in your Iphone, 3rd party applications offers many more functions to you. These are the lists of things that might seduce you to convert:
-MMS
-Camera with digital zoom and burst mode
-Games (tetris, snake, tower of hanoi)
-Access your computer at home
-Azan software
-Voice note
-Money tracking
-Last.fm client
-auto-lyric finder
This is just a tip of iceberg. There are a lot more applications that make original apps so mundane.
What is your prediction about it? Do you think Iphone will come to our shore?
Posted in Useful and Interesting |
13 Comments to “5 reasons why Apple won’t release Iphone in Malaysia”
January 26th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Very well written!
I predict in 2 years, other vendors (e.g. Nokia, Motorola, and etc.) will have something similar which provides the equivalent or better features than iphone and by then the iphone will lost the market in Malaysia.
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January 27th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
How i wish they could bring it in Malaysia. The volume won’t be big in Malaysia. That’s why it’s not here yet.
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January 30th, 2008 at 5:45 am
i think, Malaysia telecommunication companies should follows European Countries.i think Locking the phone is a good think.becoz when u sign for the company like in Uk u will get phone free. u will pay monthly for a quite little amount of money and get a PDA or any phone for free.plus every week you will given about 1000 min free talk and 1000 free sms per week.enough what…juz stoppping by..
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February 10th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
If I may add on to this topic, I have created an article talking about the pros and cons on getting an Apple iPhone before its launch here in Malaysia.
http://www.squidoo.com/iphone-malaysia
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April 1st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Maybe… we Malaysians (I dunno at other countries) are using Windows XP, Vista…
So, to operate Iphone, I guess one have to use iMac laptop (pls correct me on the spelling… I’m not that familiar with Apple product). Maybe iPhone users will only benefit much if they r using iMac as well. Again… since lots of Malaysian using Windows, it’s unwise for iPhone to be released here.
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Irwan reply on April 11th, 2008:
iphone is managed through itunes. itunes is available for both windows and mac. so i don’t think that’s a problem
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April 12th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Thanks for the feedback Irwan. I heard there’s new Ipod with 3G. Hope it’ll be in Malaysia soon.
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June 10th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
But Apple sell Iphone in Singapore. Singapore is much smaller than Malaysia but Apple still target on them. I don’t think market small is the reason.
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Shen reply on July 4th, 2008:
Its affordability. More ppl in Singapore can afford it. It may not be the size of the population that drives the market, but the standard.
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July 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
All very good valid points. Honestly I think its just cause the ringgit is so low. Not many ppl can afford the iphone. Its ridiculous. almost 4000 ringgit for a phone? You have got to be smoking something to buy that.
That and the fact that knowing us. We would rather, beg, borrow or steal than pay full price for an Iphone. Microsoft knows that. Apple knows that. We know it. And we will get it. Just now by their means.
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July 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi
I think all you reasons are not the reason.
1. Malaysia telco market is bigger than singapore.
2. Iphone 3G is not simlock, everyone can activate through iTune (confirmed). new zealand vodafone selling iphone without con.
3. 3k++ is reasonable and those who can afford is a lot and a lot.
4. even sarawak got a lot of 3G coverage. OK
thank for sharing.
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July 17th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I heard that they released in Singapore? Is it correct?
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July 17th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
yes, singapore is in launch list, but they will be in 2nd phase which still doesn’t have exact date
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