Vodacom launching iPhone in South Africa on July 20

June 9, 2008  |  Apple, iPhone, Technology  |  Share  | 


Please read my latest post on the availability of the iPhone in South Africa before adding an inane comment to this one. Thanks. And hi.

Vodacom has confirmed that the iPhone will arrive in South Africa on July 20 2008 as part of the ten-country deal that Vodafone has signed with Apple to bring the Jesus phone (so titled as a result of its committed following) to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India and other territories.

Australia will be first to benefit from the Vodafone deal, receiving the iPhone on June 29. Vodafone is a majority shareholder in South Africa’s Vodacom.

Today also marks a much anticipated announcement by Apple CEO Steve Jobs of the next-generation iPhone which he is set to unveil at the annual Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). It is expected that the new iPhone will come in a variety of colours and with 3G connectivity, integrated GPS and other new features. South Africa will undoubtedly receive this version of the device.

We discussed the arrival of the iPhone in South Africa as well as other expected announcements from WWDC in episode 15 of ZA Tech Show, a podcast I host.

 
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  • http://www.startupafrica.com Ismail

    Hey Simon,

    Any idea if it will only be available on Contract for an Out right buy as well?

  • http://www.simon.co.za/ Simon

    No idea yet. I would assume it would be available on contract with pay-in, similarly to the case with the Nokia N95, but that is mere speculation.

    In regions that already have the iPhone you pay a purchase price for the device with contract terms. In France you can buy the device on its own for an escalated retail price.

  • Deedle

    July 20th is a Sunday?

  • http://www.simon.co.za/ Simon

    Not sure about the date falling on a Sunday. This is merely an availability date as far as I know, so I wouldn’t read too much into it.

    I must also mention that the news of the iPhone’s arrival was broken by Toby Shapshak on his blog at thetimes.co.za

  • Tyron Young

    do you know what sizes will make their way to south africa.
    i hope that the 32gig will come

  • http://pauljacobson.org Paul Jacobson

    I would switch to Vodacom just to get the new iPhone if I wasn’t bolted to MTN for another year. Next option: I’ll be saving my pennies to buy this one cash if the rumours prove to be true.

  • Chris

    I bought an Apple iPhone (16GB) in Dubai and after unlocking it, it works perfectly in SA.

    However, it has its limitations as it is not a 3G phone and there are a few limitations such as not being able to forward an SMS or to create contact groups (apart from Favourites, which cannot be used to send an SMS to a group of people).

    Also, it uses EDGE which we don’t have …

    When the 3G version arrives, I’ll sell this one and get a new iPhone on contract (up for an upgrade in November!).

    Once you’ve used an iPhone’s touch screen, you’re spoilt for life!

  • Aafke

    Hey Chris,

    Until the ‘legal’ iPhone arrives in South Africa, try this:

    type in ‘internet’ in the APN field for EDGE settings (leave username and password blank). This will allow you to access the internet (although quite slow)..

  • Grant

    hi there,

    any one know how much the iPhone will cost?

    thanks

    Grant.

  • Andrew

    I think a bit more research should be done. I have spoken to an insider at Vodacom and it is highly unlikely that the iPhone will be here before October.

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