iPhone 3G in Malaysia NOW by Maxis

iPhone 3G is finally in Malaysia !!!

the latest news article from thestar.com.my

Shall i jump with joy? hahhaa coz i had been waiting iphone 3G to be officially launch in Malaysia since the WWDC 2008 Keynote last year and subsequently into Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore BUT not Malaysia.

However I was unable to wait for that long.... and had purchased my iphone 3G last September in 2008 before my dreamt come true only today.

Maxis is launching the most wanted iPhone 3G on 20th March 2008 at KLCC.

Now one can pre-book your iPhone 3G online with a choice of retain your existing number OR register a new Maxis number. Terms & Conditions can be found here. Other FAQ for your clarification can be view here.

Maxis is introducing the following service plans :

the Value Plus Plan for a contract of 6 months... is the same as the usual value plus plan that Maxis currently offer, with the iphone 3G price of RM2540 (8G) and RM2960 (16G)

and these are their new plans mainly for the iPhone 3G.

iValue plans for a contract of 12 months and 24 months. The longer the contract and the higher of monthly commitment fee the lower cost you need to own an iPhone 3G.

both iValue plans include FREE usage in terms of calling minutes and data. Exceeding the limits will incurred Extra charges. Bare in mind also that the minutes and data usage does not include SMS usage too.

I was disappointed to see none of the plan with an ''unlimited'' data usage. even the most expensive package of RM375 monthly for 24 months contract only comes with a free iPhone 3G and 2500 mins (42hours) talk usage.

Currently I was subscribed with the Value Plus 50 and I actually uses to SMS more than calling. I was struggling these few months whether to subscribe the unlimited data usage of RM99. because now I can online using my iPhone 3G at home or coffee shops that are wifi available only. I felt abit wasted for the purpose of it being an iPhone3G !!!

Nevertheless of the benefits of iPhone 3G on any apple websites. Maxis also describe the iPhone3G as quoted below in their front page.

Introducing Apple® iPhone™ 3G. With fast 3G wireless technology, Maps with GPS, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips. And like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and full web browsing. iPhone 3G. It redefines what a mobile phone can do—again.

it shows how important is of the data usage more than just merely for calling as all other normal phone can do the same. May be the 500mb or up to 3G is enough for a month usage. But I had a bad experience that i was once checking through Maps to search a route from SS2 to Puchong and browsing my blog in just within 10minutes, i end up using 11mb with my month end bill had an extra charges of RM110 !!!

If you just love talking on the phone (no video calls available) i think all any other normal phone can do the same. No use to buy an expensive iphone for just calling.. hahhaaa

If you just check emails, download some apps from Apps store and surf online when necessary the normal Value plan and iValue plans of less than RM155 will be more than enough.

But if you treat iPhone 3G as a mini palm/ laptop, online everywhere you go, uses Maps often, i would recommend to buy the iPhone set through outside shops and subscribe the unlimited rm99 plan because the price outside now is much more cheaper. but of coz without the warranty. If you needs the warranty that much then Maxis value plan will be just nice.

Conclusion, there is nothing to shout about for Maxis to have their latest iPhone 3G value plans. Only thanks to Maxis for bringing ''official'' iPhone 3G into Malaysia. ^.^

-n-