Bro, ktnl,

I think you got the understanding wrong. The older promo which you mention is when digi does not subsidize the phone and you have to pay upfront the RRP minus 200 I believe.

The RM699 campaign is based on a lower device price  where you pay RM138 monthly fee and RM699 device price.
Previously the phone would cost you RM2090  now it's RM699
Previously you would pay RM93 for monthly fee now it's RM138
Previously it's airtime rebate now it's device subsidy
Total subsidies is the same once you calculate it. but now DiGi is throwing in another RM266 worth of subsidies. So that totals up to RM1316 instead of RM1080 of rebate/subsidies.
iPhone was always based on an airtime rebate but now telcos are subsidising the price of the phone itself. Dont be confused by the calculation because it's two different things all together.

RM175  is inclusive of the monthly fee plus device under EPP for 24 months.
I don't think it's a scam, it's just a misunderstanding/calculation...