Well, I started the this speculating topic: Iphone 3g officially in Malaysia.... SOON? in July '08.

It is glad that Maxis has finally bring in the iphone 3G!! It is really a good news (though I have to apologize as it is NOT the SOON that I expected. )

However, the bad news is the packages are only favour those low data usage group, and it don't have the unlimited data usage packages.

Ok, lets see how much you should pay to Maxis for your iphone 3G :-
(kindly note that for comparison purpose, all contracts below is calculated based on a 24 months, and the cheapest plan.)



A. 6 months contract (only 500mb promotional data)

8gb - Value Plus 80 - RM4,460 = [RM2,540 + (RM80 x 24 months)]
16gb - Value Plus 80 - RM4,880 = [RM2,960 + (RM80 x 24 months)]



Comments: Paying RM2,540 and RM2,960 merely for the Iphone 8gb and 16gb respectively is really not cheap. Some more, you need to tight up with RM80 plan for 6 months with only limited 3G data usage.

B. 12 months contract

8gb - i Value 1 - RM4,300 = [RM1,900 + (RM100 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 2 - RM5,428 = [RM1,780 + (RM155 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
8gb - i Value 3 - RM6,278 = [RM1,490 + (RM250 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
8gb - i Value 4 - RM7,368 = [RM1,080 + (RM375 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]

16gb - i Value 1 - RM4,690 = [RM2,290 + (RM100 x 24 months]
16gb - i Value 2 - RM5,808 = [RM2,160 + (RM155 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
16gb - i Value 3 - RM6,658 = [RM1,870 + (RM250 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]
16gb - i Value 4 - RM7,758 = [RM1,470 + (RM375 x 12 months) + (RM50 x 12 months) + (RM99 x 12 months)]

Assumption: For iValue 2 to iValue 4, assume shifted to Value plus 50 plan plus unlimited data plan after 12 months.



Comments: Paying RM1,900 and RM2,290 merely for the Iphone 8gb and 16gb respectively looks reasonable and actually is cheaper than 6 months contracts stated above. However, 500mb is only suitable for those who don't really use 3G to surf net.

C. 24 months contract

8gb - i Value 1 - RM3,910 = [RM1,510 + (RM100 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 2 - RM4,980 = [RM1,260 + (RM155 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 3 - RM6,680 = [RM680 + (RM250 x 24 months)]
8gb - i Value 4 - RM9,000 = [RM0 + (RM375 x 24 months)]

16gb - i Value 1 - RM4,290 = [RM1,890 + (RM100 x 24 months)]
16gb - i Value 2 - RM5,360 = [RM1,640 + (RM155 x 24 months)]
16gb - i Value 3 - RM7,060 = [RM1,060 + (RM250 x 24 months)]
16gb - i Value 4 - RM9,260 = [RM260 + (RM375 x 24 months)]



Comments: If you really seldom surf net and really mind about the warranty issues, this i Value 1 - 24 months contract really looks attractive as the phone price is the lowest of the 3 packages. However, hold on, please read my following illustration too!!


Of course, the above is just an simple illustration of what you may need to pay in the next 24 months. In real world, it is normally more complicated. you may shift to other telco or prepaid line after the contract period. That is too far for this discussion.




For those of you who think the Maxis plan not attractive, my following illustration may help you a little bit:-

The price of an 16gb iphone 3G stated in Lowyat.net is ranging from RM2,250 to RM2,650, depends on your luck and bargaining power.

Thus, if you use Maxis Value plus 50 + unlimited data plan, it is equivalent to RM5,826 [RM2,250 + (RM50 x 24 months) + (99 x 24 months)] or RM6,226 [RM2,650 + (RM50 x 24 months) + (99 x 24 months)].

This post has been edited by raycol97: Mar 19 2009, 10:16 AM

Very true, so in other words, the maxis plan is actually CHEAPER for THOSE who use 500mb per month.

Good analysis there.

My only gripe here is the paltry allocation for data. The iPhone is DEAD in the water without data allocation. I would already be more forgiving on the price, should they changed the i-Value plans to include options for unlimited data.

Err you're ignoring the value of included airtime. So, to properly compare a black market Iphone with i-value 4 (for example) you should be comparing with Value Plus 250+unlimited data plan; i.e. RM2250+ (RM349x24) = RM10,626. Vs i-value 4 (using your value) of RM9260, a user should clearly subscribe to i-value 4 vs buying a black market phone given that usage profile.

currently i'm subscribed to Maxis with monthly around rm100 -125. (2 1/2 years)

than i think a great deal for me I-value 1 - 24 month contract.
i only need to pay rm1510 for iphone 3g 8GB and continue to pay my monthly bill as usual rm100 -125

i think all Telco have their own trick under their sleeve .......at the end u paying almost the same amount....

I read somewhere that DiGi is coming out with 3G unlimited for RM49/month

yeah. if u really need the airtime, you should compare it that way. my illustration only opt for the cheapest way. sorry.

btw, i-Value 4 is excluding SMS, whilst Value Plus 250 includes SMS/MMS/additional Maxis hidden fees which counts for a huge chunk of my phone bills.

If an i-Value 4 user uses more than RM56.92 worth of SMS/MMS/etc every month, the price is equal; in addition to the freedom to switch telco and (sell phone + change plan) without paying additional $$ to Maxis.

My personal action : 1) wait for the new iPhone refresh (which is due sometime this year) 2) switch to DiGi 50 + the rumoured rm49 unlimited digi 3g

another rumours?

Another thing to add, you could add value extra of rm8 for 500 maxis to maxis sms. beside its much cheaper now to sms to other network using the ivalue plan

beside the call rate is for ALL networks, instead of maxis to maxis only. Though I would love to see them give more incentive to get the RM155 plan! as the plan is so much better than Digi D50!

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...59&sec=business

'another competitor slashed to RM49'

knowing digi, they'd match it to RM48.90 or something

nice job...

after see ur calculation, if ur wallet no power.. better dont touch

the include data usage is permonth rite?

for such i-value 2 for 24months contract, the 1gb is every month rite?

meaning everymonth u can use 1gb of data

if so then maxis plan srsly cheaper for people who does not use more than that le

maxis plan only start to become expansive for those who use more than 2gb everymonth

Thanks for the info. Syd.

Np, I know a complete statistical analysis would take too much time =p
I only did the math for i-value 4 cos I'm actually the user in my post, I'm currently on Value Plus 250+unlimited data. i-value 4 is clearly superior for me =p




Well, that's not 100% true. Yes, SMS/MMS is included with a Value Plus Plan, but you don't get any free SMSes. You still have to pay, i.e. the cost for them still comes out of your plan.
So under Value Plus 250 your hypothesis only holds if your usage is at or under (2500-x)mins, where x is the amount of SMSes you send, given that 1min=1SMS (both at 10 sen).

Great post, raycol97. Your numbers and your conclusion match up with mine as well when I played around with the rate plans in Excel; the iValue 1 & 2 deals are actually cheaper if 1. you are willing to live with the 12 or 24 month contract 2. you can stay below the talk time and data usage caps and 3. you are a low SMS user. Of course, there are real world complications like the inability to switch providers at will, and a 500mb or 1GB data cap is a big question mark for a net-centric device like the iPhone.

It was pretty amusing to see all the rants and raves about Maxis ripping people off when there were no numbers and calculations to back their conclusions. I guess where Maxis really failed was to structure their iValue plans in a way that it would look like a great deal at first glance.

If it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting to see how the July 2009 iPhone and the Palm Pre shapes up, I would have gone with Maxis already.

This post has been edited by fly: Mar 13 2009, 10:30 PM

in conclusion.. is it better worth to buy an iphone 3g in lynnet and subcribe a digi plan eventhough now digi not yet provided with 3g services ..? XD

ok firstly,
its good that maxis brought in the iphone 3g.
finally right.
and it includes a data plan for rm100/month. that aint too bad but the addition charge needed to purchase the phone is kinda expensive.around rm2500. i think it is possible to get a 16gb one around lyn and still keep your prepaid line.haha.

but secondly, if you opt to use iphone, you gotta have a service provider that has cheap data plan. i dont knw if anyone else is experiencing this or is it just me but my iphone downloads updates from the net almost automatically and at a very high rate! it uses edge/gprs/3g, almost anything it can find. and till now, it cost me a bomb. im not kidding! i went to the maxis centre the other day to have the edge/gprs/3g line disconnected but guess what, it still downloads!
maxis is currently charging 1kb=rm0.01. my current tally is 50+mb so yeah.you can count and see how much im actually paying for this.
if anyone else has experienced this problem too and knows a way to solve this, do pm me.thanks.

but all in all, iphone is finally here. definitely a reason to cheer abt regardless of the price.
peace.

Does it bundle with iphone 3G as a package?

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Added on March 14, 2009, 8:26 am

I have used Maxis before, although on the surface the charges seem the same as Digi, but in the end of the month, with similar usage, Digi somehow end up to be cheaper... Perhaps there are some underlying calculation that makes the total month end bill different, such as how many seconds per block etc...

Thus, although Maxis has my dream iphone, I am NOT going to sign up for their package.



This post has been edited by Kenix L: Mar 14 2009, 08:26 AM

I have made 'booking' the 3G iphone plan with RM100 monthly subs and got a confirmation email yesterday.
But I dont think I will turn up as I feel cheated which RM100/333mins is approx 30sen/second.
500mb data one month is crab. The cost of iphone is imputed in the plan (approx RM40-50 one monht).
Would only consider if they come out with a plan that tends towards heavy data usage.