Theoritically, WIFI should be faster than 3G... However, the only place I found wifi most reliable is... my house..

Anyway, once u get used to 3G, u will be lazy to search around for the WIFI spot.. just my 2 cents. 

3g coverage is spotty ler. Using speedtest, at my office I normally get 1mbps download. At my house (10 mins drive away), it drops to 100+kbps download. I don't care la cos at home I'll wifi instead.

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)].

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.

Guys... good calculation there. I believe if you are using the data and enough talktime, Maxis plan is always the best way to go about getting the iphone.

But I believe for people like me, who only uses Value 50 and not thinking of using more, then, it becomes expensive.

Let's say for 16G i-value 1, 24 months. RM1890. And additional of RM50 x 24 = RM1890+1200 = 3190.00. If I get from outside, probably I need to pay RM2600...
Hmmm.... How? Actually it is dilemma...

ur talkin bout bein on contract for 2yrs.. dats one heck of a loooong time. the most ideal is 1yr. wat if after 1 year a new iphone is released or u like another fone, are u gonna break ur contract? unless maxis offers an upgrade package similar to AT&T.

Guys... good calculation there. I believe if you are using the data and enough talktime, Maxis plan is always the best way to go about getting the iphone.

But I believe for people like me, who only uses Value 50 and not thinking of using more, then, it becomes expensive.

Let's say for 16G i-value 1, 24 months. RM1890. And additional of RM50 x 24 = RM1890+1200 = 3190.00. If I get from outside, probably I need to pay RM2600...
Hmmm.... How? Actually it is dilemma...

Guys... good calculation there. I believe if you are using the data and enough talktime, Maxis plan is always the best way to go about getting the iphone.

But I believe for people like me, who only uses Value 50 and not thinking of using more, then, it becomes expensive.

Let's say for 16G i-value 1, 24 months. RM1890. And additional of RM50 x 24 = RM1890+1200 = 3190.00. If I get from outside, probably I need to pay RM2600...
Hmmm.... How? Actually it is dilemma...

then I will lose my phone every month.

Well as you stated the additional cost of RM590 buys you two things:
1. Additional RM50 worth of services per month; i.e. 500MB of data. However there's one caveat here: your Value Plus 50 airtime costs RM0.12 per min, which translates to 416min of airtime.
I-value 1 only provides 333min. So you're effectively losing 83min. Also, your SMSes are charged separately, unlike now where it's part of your plan.
Mathematical note: to obtain those 83min again, you have to pay 15sen per min, or RM12.45 per month. That adds another RM298.8 to your cost. Thus total cost = RM590+RM298.8 = RM888.8
2. Maxis 12 month exchange warranty.

So the question to ask yourself is 'Is it worth it to pay RM888.8 over 24 months for 12GB of mobile data + maxis exchange warranty'?

Another consideration is that your upfront cost is lower, whereas your 'upkeep' cost is higher with i-value, whereas the reverse is true with Value Plus+black market phone.

hmm...how bout we purchase thru credit card then make the phone "missing"
so we can......

Hi zer,

There are a lots of people out there don't really bother about Airtime, as they won't really fully use the RM50 (calls + sms) everymonth.

For example, I was a Hotlink user, paying only RM30.00 to top up per month, and "wifing" during the original iphone era. (Cost per month: < RM30, as you can bought after the unuse balance)

Then, last year, I bought iphone 3g, sadly, I have to convert to Value Plus 50, pay RM50 + RM99 unlimited data plan + 5% tax + other billing charges somemore.    (Cost per month: ~RM161)

Only after MNP, I shift to Celcom's Exec 20, so cost reduced to RM20 + monthly usage + RM99 + tax + others (Cost per month: ~RM140)

So, for me, what is MOST important is UNLIMITED DATA PLAN!!! 

No matter which plans you take the warranty will always be 12 months,can walk in to any apple reseller and its a one on one exchange.Sweet for those of you who think buying from garage sales but worried about warranty this is the best workround,safety first right?

This is one thing I don't really understand... since apple resellers don't carry iPhones other than Maxis, how could they offer one-to-one exchange...?

You sure it's the apple resellers and not maxis authorised resellers or something...?   

The sole distributor of iPhone in Malaysia, at least at this point in time, is Maxis. The resellers are authorized agents of Maxis and should there be any problem with the phones, ultimately it is Maxis to which the resellers will revert to, which will exchange them one for one.