iPhone 4S now Available in the Philippines via Philmug
Well good news! People who live in the Philippines can now own an iPhone 4S. A couple of Philmug member posted an “FS” (For Sale) thread selling unlocked 16gb, 23gb, and 64gb brand new units.
Philmug user “thewittleprince” is selling two white 64gb units for 64,000 pesos each. If you look at Apple Online Store Australia, the 64gb iPhone 4S is listed at A$999 which is about 45,000 pesos. That means you’ll be paying additional 19,000 pesos per unit which I guess is fair enough considering the plane ticket back and fort Australia which is about $2000 via Philippine Airlines. User “gang_armani” is selling 16gb and 32gb units at 55,000 and 60,000 each respectively. The serial number reveals that the units are bought from Canada, and if you look at the Canadian Online Store, 16gb iPhone 4S sells for CA$ 649 (28,000 pesos) while the 32gb unit sells for CA$ 750 (33,000 pesos) meaning you’re buying these iPhone 4S at twice its original retail price.
Owning a new iPhone in a country where there’s no real “Apple Store” is expensive as Apple usually release new products several months later than they would on a country where there’s a real brick and mortar Apple Store. There’s no clue regarding the official iPhone 4S release
via Globe (Official Philippine Carrier), but if you wan’t to own the newest iPhone for less, I would suggest getting if from Hong Kong or Singapore. Apple Singapore is now accepting iPhone 4S pre-orders for October 28, 2011 launch. The online store indicates that the 16gb sells for 948 Singaporean Dollars (32,000 pesos), 32gb for SG$ 1,088 (37,000 pesos), and 64gb for SG$1,238 (42,200 pesos) which is a 4-5 thousand pesos expensive than Canadian price at the similar capacity. Although the iPhone 4S is not yet released or available for pre-order in Hong Kong, the phone is already selling like hot cakes at HK grey markets according to a Phyorg.com report.
So there you go, if you have the money and can’t resist the urge to get the new iPhone 4S the best option is to buy it on Philmug Marketplace. Just make sure to get it from reputable members to avoid being ripped off twice (initial rip off is the price). I’m pretty sure prices will be cheaper after the official Singaporean launch, so if you have a friend or relative in Singapore, it’s best to wait till the end of the month. Whether you get it now or wait, it’s your choice. The pleasure of having it first among the crown is priceless. Let us know how much that pleasure costs in the comments section.
