Features of 3 iPhone models
Yesterday, I have written the best plans for iPhone 3GS 32GB (3rd generation iPhone). This phone is the latest Apple phone with a faster processor, slightly superior battery life equipped with a 3.2MP camera compared to the 2nd generation iPhone 3G. The 16GB version has half the flash memory as compared to the 32GB version so it is cheaper in value. If you have few applications, songs and data to be stored on the iPhone, a 16GB is sufficed for your daily use. 32GB version is an overkill as flash memory is always dropped as the production reaches economic of scales powered by the increasing demand of flash memory in storage arena.
In contrast, iPhone 3G with a modest 8GB is the 2nd generation iPhone with 2MP camera but with 3G support, it works well with any of the minimum 12GB data plans. So is iPhone 3G 8GB having a slower download speed as compared to the latest 3GS iPhone 16GB or 32GB? The answer is no. The download speed for both iPhone 3G and 3GS are at a maximum speed of 7.2Mbps (HSDPA). Since all 3 telcos are matching with 7.2Mbps for all iPhone plans, the only speed bottlenecks lie in the network coverage and the environment where you are in. You may refer to the earlier blog on how to measure the data speed with your mobile phone. On the side note, you may wish to consider the upload speed which is not mentioned in the websites of all the 3 telcos. For example, Starhub offers a upload speed of 1.9Mbps for all its iPhone plans.
The premium plans will not be discussed because these 2 models belong to the lower end and premium plans do not change much. If you wish to get 3G 8GB or 3GS 16GB, you may wish to refer to the earlier blog. The differences are minor as the monthly subscriptions form the majority of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
iPhone 3G 8GB
With no worry on its speed, the next concern is choosing the right plan. This model is ideal for value proposition since it has the lowest top-up value. The following table is derived.
Mins/month | M-Value | M-Lite | ST-Lite | ST-Value | SH-100 | SH-300 |
50 | $ 1,262.00 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,274.00 | $ 1,391.76 | $ 1,300.00 | $ 1,510.00 |
100 | $ 1,262.00 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,274.00 | $ 1,391.76 | $ 1,300.00 | $ 1,510.00 |
134 | $ 1,392.97 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,404.97 | $ 1,391.76 | $ 1,430.97 | $ 1,510.00 |
150 | $ 1,454.60 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,466.60 | $ 1,391.76 | $ 1,492.60 | $ 1,510.00 |
200 | $ 1,647.20 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,659.20 | $ 1,391.76 | $ 1,685.20 | $ 1,510.00 |
212 | $ 1,693.42 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,705.42 | $ 1,437.98 | $ 1,731.42 | $ 1,510.00 |
250 | $ 1,839.80 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 1,851.80 | $ 1,584.36 | $ 1,877.80 | $ 1,510.00 |
300 | $ 2,032.40 | $ 1,442.00 | $ 2,044.40 | $ 1,776.96 | $ 2,070.40 | $ 1,510.00 |
From the graph, we observe that M1's plans beat Starhub's plans flat. If you are having an average call out of 134 to 212 minutes/month, it is wise to choose Singtel M-Value Plan. Else M1 M-Value and M-Lite plans provide the lowest TCO for the rest.
iPhone 3GS 16GB
The plans for this mid end phone are presented below.
Mins/month | M-Value | M-Lite | ST-Lite | ST-Value | SH-100 | SH-300 |
50 | $ 1,382.00 | $ 1,592.00 | $ 1,454.00 | $ 1,591.76 | $ 1,450.00 | $ 1,660.00 |
100 | $ 1,382.00 | $ 1,592.00 | $ 1,454.00 | $ 1,591.76 | $ 1,450.00 | $ 1,660.00 |
150 | $ 1,574.60 | $ 1,592.00 | $ 1,646.60 | $ 1,591.76 | $ 1,642.60 | $ 1,660.00 |
200 | $ 1,767.20 | $ 1,592.00 | $ 1,839.20 | $ 1,591.76 | $ 1,835.20 | $ 1,660.00 |
250 | $ 1,959.80 | $ 1,592.00 | $ 2,031.80 | $ 1,784.36 | $ 2,027.80 | $ 1,660.00 |
300 | $ 2,152.40 | $ 1,592.00 | $ 2,224.40 | $ 1,976.96 | $ 2,220.40 | $ 1,660.00 |
The graph depicts that both M1 plans are the clear winners in the value market except for 200mins/month, Singtel Value wins a marginal S$0.24. Now, you can tell any blind man to get M1 plan if he wants a iPhone 3G 16GB. However, Starhub SH-300 is a close competitor with M1 M-Lite with a small S$68 margin.
Conclusions
For easy reference, the TCO table for all phones and plans is shown below.
Mins/month | Lowest TCO | 3G 8GB | Lowest TCO | 3GS 16GB | Lowest TCO | 3GS 32GB |
50 | $ 1,262.00 | M-Value | $ 1,382.00 | M-Value | $ 1,522.00 | M-Value |
100 | $ 1,262.00 | M-Value | $ 1,382.00 | M-Value | $ 1,522.00 | M-Value |
150 | $ 1,391.76 | ST-Value | $ 1,574.60 | M-Value | $ 1,714.60 | M-Value |
200 | $ 1,391.76 | ST-Value | $ 1,591.76 | ST-Value | $ 1,741.76 | ST-Value |
250 | $ 1,442.00 | M-Lite | $ 1,592.00 | M-Lite | $ 1,742.00 | M-Lite |
300 | $ 1,442.00 | M-Lite | $ 1,592.00 | M-Lite | $ 1,742.00 | M-Lite |
450 | $ 2,019.80 | M-Lite | $ 2,169.80 | M-Lite | $ 2,319.80 | M-Lite |
500 | $ 2,212.40 | M-Lite | $ 2,280.00 | ST-Plus | $ 2,378.00 | ST-Plus |
700 | $ 2,352.00 | M-Extreme | $ 2,352.00 | M-Extreme | $ 2,450.00 | M-Extreme |
1000 | $ 3,507.60 | M-Extreme | $ 3,507.60 | M-Extreme | $ 3,605.60 | M-Extreme |
1500 | $ 4,752.00 | M-Unlimited | $ 4,752.00 | M-Unlimited | $ 4,752.00 | M-Unlimited |
For the lowest TCO, your wallet will suffer a damage of S$1,262. This is the lowest price for owning a iPhone. You must refrain from abusing the data bandwidth and exceed the limit of monthly data usage for value plans.
By far, M1 plans win in nearly every category. Singtel has a few winners but Starhub has none. This clearly explains why M1 shops are crowded with human queues while Starhub shops are crowded with flies. As a smart consumer, be prepared to choose the best plan from the chart below before you join in the queue. Remember to consider M1's Take-3 plan, Free Calls to 3 M1 numbers, Unlimited SMS and MMS plus Free Campus/Army Camp calls (students and NSFs) and 35% discount on Multi-Line Saver to enjoy greater discounts.
TRUE WINNER
With the above, do you think you are the winner in this war? Unfortunately, the answer is NO. M1 laughs all the way to the bank if everyone signs up their M-value plan. Why?
From M1 perspective, they wish to regain market share as they do not complete package like Singtel's MIO and Starhub's Hubber as they do not own the infrastructure.
From consumer end, you are the "biggest" loser by choosing M-Value because it has the lowest value amongst the plans. If we only consider voice calls and SMSs, below are the perceived values of the plans based on simple calculations.
| M-Value | M-Lite | M-Extreme | Explanation & Formula |
Monthly Fee (w/GST) | $ 36.00 | $ 56.00 | $ 98.00 | A |
Free voice call (mins) | 100.00 | 300.00 | 700.00 | B=$0.1605/min |
Free SMS/MMS | 500.00 | 500.00 | 500.00 | C=$0.05/SMS |
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Bundled value | $ 985.20 | $ 1,755.60 | $ 3,296.40 | D=(free call x B)+(free SMS x C) |
2 years contract | $ 864.00 | $ 1,344.00 | $ 2,352.00 | E=24 mths x A |
Cost of phone | $ 398.00 | $ 98.00 | $ - | F |
Perceived Values (PV) | $ (276.80) | $ 313.60 | $ 944.40 | PV=D-E-F |
So signing up the M-Extreme plan gives you a gain of S$944 as compared to M-Value plan of –$276.80. You may argue the costs of operation for calls and SMSs are much lower on the operator side. Yes, you are right and this precisely iterates the fact that you must stick to your plan and should not exceed the allocated time or data usage. So I hope these tables will assist you in selecting a good iPhone as well as a good plan to complement it.
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