Two of the three major telcos confirmed to be launching the iPhone 4S on Friday have now announced pricing details, with thousands of customers eager to get their hands on the device now urged to sign up for pre-orders in what is expected to be the biggest smartphone launch of the year.
The announcements come as Samsung and Google have delayed a press announcement that was expected to see the launch of a new Nexus phone and the Ice Cream Sandwich update for Google’s Android OS – the two companies cited Steve Jobs’ death as the main reason for the delay.
Vodafone and Optus have announced their pricing details for the iPhone 4S, which is set to launch this Friday, in tune with the first launches in the United States and Europe.
Vodafone said it would be releasing the iPhone 4S on Friday, with pre-orders already being taken. The device will be offered on its Infinite plans and Vodafone Caps, with Infinite plans offering unlimited text, talk and social networking access.
Plans range from as low as $44 per month with handset repayment included, with 200MB of data for the 16GB version of the 4S, while the highest is an $84 plan with 3GB of data, for the 64GB version.
The Infinite plans included unlimited voice and texting packages, with the cheapest at $62 for the 16GB version with 500MB. The most expensive is $100 per month for any of the handset models, with 4GB of data.
Optus is already offering pre-orders online, with a number of different plans.
The cheapest option is $59 per month for the 16GB model with 1.5GB of data, while the most expensive is the $99 per month plan for all models, with unlimited value for texting and calls, with 5GB of data.
While Vodafone offers a greater range of package options, Optus’ plans include a higher amount of data and lower handset repayments.
So far, Telstra has said customers can register their interest on its website but no pricing information is available yet.
Potential buyers can also buy the 4S on the Apple Store – which is already being inundated with orders. The 16GB costs $799, the 32GB $899 and the 64GB $999, but already the site is warning of up to two weeks for shipping.
Shipping times can lengthen based on the sheer number of pre-orders, which can reach into the tens of thousands. That number is set to be just as high this year, with Australia becoming one of the first countries to have the gadget released in-line with the United States.
Meanwhile, Google and Samsung released a statement this week saying it would delay a product announcement out of respect for Jobs’ death.
“Under the current circumstances, both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product,” the companies told Stuff.TV. “We would ask for the understanding of our clients and media for any inconvenience caused. We will announce a new date and venue in due course.”
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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