iPhone 5 launch plans from Vodacom, Cell C
Vodacom and Cell C have told MyBroadband that they will both offer the iPhone 5, but only Vodacom confirmed that it will launch Apple’s latest smartphone on 14 December 2012.
A Cell C spokesperson said that they would definitely stock the iPhone 5 by mid-December, but couldn’t give an exact launch date yet.
MTN and 8ta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Neither Vodacom nor Cell C were able to provide pricing information, with Vodacom saying that they will make prices available closer to launch.
The table below shows the contract-less pricing of the iPhone 5 in the US, UK, and Ireland converted to Rand. It’s worth noting that US prices are quoted excluding sales tax while the prices from the UK and Ireleand already include VAT.
iPhone 5 prices | US | UK | Ireland |
iPhone 5 16GB | R5,750 ($649) | R7,538 (£529) | R7,849 (€679) |
iPhone 5 32GB | R6,6,36 ($749) | R8,536 (£599) | R9,121 (€789) |
iPhone 5 64GB | R7,522 ($849) | R9,960 (£699) | R10,392 (€899) |
Exchange rates | R8.86/$ | R14.25/£ | R11.56/€ |
Apple announced in a press statement issued on Monday (3 December 2012) that South Africa would be among the over 50 countries to receive the device on 14 December. It is understood that operators stocking the device will all launch on the same day.
At 7.6mm thick, the iPhone 5 boasts a thinner profile than the iPhone 4S and also has a larger (4-inch) display, an improved camera, and the new “Lightning” connector.
The iPhone 5 also supports Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, though it is unlikely to support South Africa’s fledgling networks at launch.
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