Cambodia Calling: iPhone 3G S in Cambodia: $1100 for 16GB (!)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

iPhone 3G S in Cambodia: $1100 for 16GB (!)

"Khmer" (you can't see his blogger profile so no point linking him) left me a comment on my post iPhone in Cambodia. He says the iPhone 3G S is available in Cambodia! You can find it here and here.

But there is a price to pay, specifically, USD 1100 for the 16GB and USD 1270 for the 32GB (!!). This is how much it costs in the US: USD199 for the 16GB version and USD299 for the 32GB. (But of course you have to sign a contract with AT&T...) But still, you would be paying 5.5 times more to get the 16GB iPhone 3G S in Cambodia.

What it says to me is there are people in this country rich enough for money to be no object in getting the latest coveted toy. Children of government officials, anyone? The last time I was in Phnom Penh (March, I think), I saw a teenage girl driving a huge, black Mercedes (not a baby Benz I can assure you, more like the 500 series). Phnom Penh's different from Siem Reap in that way. Siem Reap has more of a middle class, but Phnom Penh, where the seat of government is, is where you see the really rich Khmers.

The iPhone 3G S was available in the US just over 2 weeks ago, on June 19 and already it is available in Cambodia. Cambodia is not even on the list of scheduled countries:

June 19
United States
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom

June 26 (just a week later…)
Austria
Australia
Belgium
Ireland
Japan
Netherlands

July 9 (nearly three weeks later…)
Bulgaria
Colombia
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Hungary
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Sweden
Uruguay

August 9
Argentina
Botswana
Brazil
Cameroon
Central Africa
Chile
Ecuador
Egypt
Guinea
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritius
Nicaragua
Niger
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Venezuela

Source: simonblog.

8 comments:

Jimmy Yap said...: Actually, it only looks cheaper to buy it in the US because you have to buy the iPhone from AT&T on a two-year plan. The true cost of the iPhone is much higher.; 12:58 pm
Diana Saw said...: Hey Jimmy,

Yes I just found out 2 years at cost of about USD100 a month. Still USD1100 is a lot! Keep blogging! There is so much interest in the iPhone here in Cambodia...

Diana; 1:47 pm
Anonymous said...: For genuine Apple lovers, please wait for another 10 days max for better prices of iPhone 3G S 16GB/32GB. Kind of confident to offer $200 below what were quoted in the Cambodia market presently :); 5:19 pm
RAsmey said...: What do you mean by this? for only 200USD in Cambodia/ where can you get this price?

Rasmey; 11:16 am
garudapura said...: After viewing the posts and comments above, i feel so confused. Actually, I am thinking of buying Iphone 3GS 32GB also, but not so sure how to buy. I mean where can I buy to get the full benefits and cheaper price.

Anyone please comment..; 3:46 pm
Anonymous said...: you guys can buy it from hongkong apple store for around US$700 and guess what.. it's 'factory unlocked', so after u buy it, u can put any sim to it.

3GS at PNH is US$1,100 ??? what the **** ...; 11:29 pm
Anonymous said...: Oh really, (11:29 PM)? Do I have to fly to HK for buying an iPhone? Why not tell me your contact????; 3:59 pm
nightwalker said...: dude, now u can get a cheaper price now. for just 730$ at hakse store, anw i have the price back in the state n it cost 680$......; 10:23 am

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

iPhone 3G S in Cambodia: $1100 for 16GB (!)

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