What is it with telcos and releasing iPhone plans at odd times of the day or night? Telstra’s started Wednesday morning early by announcing its iPhone 4S plan details ahead of Friday’s 8am launch.
More:
- Optus Releases iPhone 4S Pricing
- Vodafone iPhone 4S Prices Released Also
- Apple iPhone 4S: Everything You Need To Know
As could be predicted, Telstra’s not giving up its position as a premium carrier; it’s fair to say that if you want a cheap iPhone 4S, Telstra’s not the company to opt for — but then there’s a coverage story there as well. At the time of writing, Telstra hasn’t updated its iPhone website with pricing, but expect that to change at some point during the day. Like Vodafone, there’s no option for a 12-month plan as yet, making Optus your only choice if you want a 12-month contract. Gus at Lifehacker’s once again done the work of assembling the plans into a handy table; as they’re identical for business and consumer purposes there’s just the single table.
[Telstra]
Prepaidplans
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 6:42 AMHaving played with both networks, if you are going to really use the phone for it’s potential then telstra network really is your only choice. But as you say it will cost you. Maybe wait a few months until they do a refresh based on sales results.
JaYson
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:34 AMCalling bullshit. It’s “potential” really? Unless how exactly will telstra service provide full potential?
Nathan
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:41 AMOnly carrier with the necessary HSPA (and variants) updates to take advantage of the 14.4Mbit/s in the 4S. Additionally, the in building performance (where most people will use it) is vastly superior due to the lower 850Mhz. While Vodafone is rolling out 850Mhz in places, there is far more 850Mhz coverage on Telstra.
Price is a bit hard to bite tho…
louisa
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:11 AMno the iphone will run on 3g not 4g. the phone is not HSPA+
Nathan
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:01 PMI know. But to my knowledge none of the other carriers have the support for the 14.4Mbit/s HSPUA (sorry, typing mistake).
Nathan
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:02 PMBy the way, strictly speaking, HSPA+ isn’t 4G. Nor is LTE. Only LTE-A is actually defined as a 4G telcom technology, but most of the carriers are pushing HSPA+ and LTE as 4G.
Tim
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:01 AMTotally agree here, been with Optus and Voda, and I can never get decent reception or data, decided this time to pay for service not quantity.
Andrew
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 4:48 PMafter suffering through Vodafone for the last 27 months – I’d pay basically anything Telstra asked. I’m really happy with these prices – Telstra here I come!
Daryl
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:00 AMWhat I don’t get is why it takes so long to…. Release the same plans!
Stirling
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:01 AMWow, these prices have come down a fair bit from before. 16gb 4S is now $4 on $59 plan down from $15 for the old iPhone 4. Plus free iPhone 4 (8gb) on $59 plan. :D
Ben Zemm
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 11:03 AMWhere are the prices? The link doesn’t provide any prices. Where they accidentally up for a short time? Why can’t you just put them in the article? There’s a large space of white between “there’s just the single table” and “[Telstra]“.
Ben Zemm
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 6:59 PMI’ve come back using my Ubuntu netbook (now on train home) and there’s a Excel thingy in that space. For some reason it didn’t come up on my work computer.
Dazza from Darwin
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:48 AMI don’t know if these plans are real, but I hope they are.
Reason I don’t think they’re real: The current iPhone plans are much more expensive than this (by a LOT)!
For example iPhone 4s 32 GB, $59 plan…..MRO is $35. On a $79 plan the MRO is $30…
To drop that to $8 and $4 respectively is a pretty huge drop!!!
Alex Kidman
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:58 AMPlans are definitely correct — direct from Telstra PR.
Dazza from Darwin
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:04 AMNice of Telstra PR to keep their Twitter team up to date then? – Although I shouldn’t be surprised.
Just realised I wasn’t including the “Member credit” in the above plan quotes….so difference of 32GB on $79 is from $10 to $8…..so yeah ok not so big a difference…
Tim
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:07 AMEven though they never advertised it anywhere, Telstra offered 12 month plans, but halved the MRO bonus on the handset repayments.
I personally will be happy to pay more for the phone if it means getting a 12 month contract, it would still be cheaper than buying outright.
It’s interested that the plans are basically the next plan down for inclusions – for instance, the $59 iphone plan includes the same data/value as the $49 BYO phone plan. So basically you’re paying another $10 a month for the phone.
Djf
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:09 AMJust saying, but on release I got a 32GB iPhone 4 for $299 on top of the $49 plan, so a TCO of $1475 – currently even the 16GB iPhone 4S costs more than that on the cheapest plan.
I know Telstra jacked their prices up at some point so these do look good by comparison, but they’re not as decent as the original deals available for the iPhone 4.
Sebastian
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 12:05 PMYou are right iPhone4′s had the best plans when it was first launched.
I got 32GB with a $299 upfront on a $49 plan. At that time I took advantage of the half price data plans which I upgraded to 3GB plan. So my monthly total is $63.50 with $400 worth of calls and 3GB of data.
Sean
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:31 AMLast reports released on the iPhone 4S’s 4G compatability with Telstra’s 4G network showed that it will not work
Andrew
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:32 AMI’m going to call shenannigans on the way the plan is broken down. I thought the new rules required that included calls be measured in minutes. I’m just going to go ahead and obtusely assume that calls are charged at $50 bucks a minute just because arbitrary large $numbers masquerading as “value!” are BS. I shouldn’t have to go neck deep in the fine print to compare plans accross carriers.
Also, pretending that they are offering 64GB 4Ss for $312 (24×13) is dishonest. At least they could reword “handset repayment” to “increased spec surcharge” or anything that more accurately refelcts the nature of this number. Once again, they are burying the actual cost of the phone and the plan to make camparisons more difficult.
Andrew
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:56 AMThanks for changing the table Giz. Although my comment now looks a bit unrelated, the general gripe remains. The fact that you need to make the simplified table is only evidence of that.
louisa
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:32 AMthis is cheaper than the current Telstra Iphone 4 prices.
NOW
$59 plan + $20 for 32GB iPhone 4 = $79
FRIDAY
$59 plan + $8 for 32gb iPhone 4S = $67
I’m happy. This works out to $40/m for 24 months to pay off $899 handset,
and $27/m for a plan which gives more service than I’ll ever need.
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:09 AMSo do we just have to wait for Telstra to come through with a site update? which you would think they would have ready…
Or does someone have a link to the prices/preorder page? haha
Just a thought, not sure how everyone else feels, but i would LOVE it if the Giz editors could leave the original pricing photos up :( and not delete them just for the lifehacker overall prices, both would be a great source for pricing :) Cheers
Adz
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:29 AMI would either wait a few month till Telstra re-evaluate their plans as they did with the iPhone 4 or wait and see what the business plans are. I first got the iPhone 4 on a $150 unlimited cap with Telstra, i am now only paying $99. I’d say wait a bit till the hype dies down.
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:46 AMGiz had the business plans up… but removed them for the lifehacker prices :/ Wrong move, should have kept them all :)
Alex Kidman
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 11:54 AMThe business plans (as quoted by Telstra) are identical to the consumer ones — that’s why I went for the single, adjustable table.
Josh
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:41 AMI don’t think these prices are bad at all. Telstra offer the best service and I am happy to pay a little more. I have been with all the other big carriers before, and I will NEVER go back.
You get what you pay for!
Penmonicus
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:43 AMWhere is the expensive?
The 64GB on a $59 plan is 2 bucks a month cheaper than Optus!
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:47 AMThe expensive part may be the fact that they only start by offering the $59 plans and no lower, but yes, the handset costs appear to be slightly cheaper. :)
Djf
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:01 AMFor comparison, here are last year’s iPhone 4 plans:
http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/announcements/telstra-to-bring-iphone-4-to-australia-on-july-30.xml
$49 ($400 cap) – 3GS $0, 16GB 4 $149 upfront ($6.20 pro-rated monthly), 32GB 4 $299 upfront ($12.40 pro-rated monthly)
$79 ($750 cap) – 3GS $0, 16GB 4 $0, 32GB 4 $199 ($8.30 prorated monthly)
$99 ($1000 cap) – all phones free.
The data allowances on that page seem small, but almost immediately afterwards (and before sales started) Telstra offered an extra 500MB / 1GB on top of them for personal / business customers.
I don’t know what happened over the course of the year, but from what were really attractive launch prices, Telstra (and the others) suddenly started charging punitively to people who waited, only for them to now go back to something closer to their original offer (but still not quite as good).
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:10 AMSorry if this isn’t the place to ask, but i’m sure someone here would know or has experienced this. If you get the plan on launch date, but they change the stats for the $59 plan, its not a different plan, as it’s still the $59 plan but different allowances, if you already have the plan, will you pick up these changes? or need to go through a whole change over process?
Penmonicus
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:33 AMI used to work in a T$ sales centre. Basically: there’s no such thing as ‘different allowances on the same plan’. You’ll see that Telstra’s current plans are called “Freedom Connect” plans. If they decide to put out a new $59 plan that has twice the data, it’ll have a different name, and you’ll still be on the old plan.
That said, they’d typically let you move to the newer plan, as long as you’re happy to re-start your 24 month agreement. And as long as it’s the same price point per month or higher. One-off $50 fee to go lower. Your phone payments should still only go for the original 24 month period, though.
All this was about 5 years ago though, so it may’ve changed.
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 12:38 PMThanks man!
Chris
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 3:56 PMI went through the exact process you describe with my current iPhone 4 on Telstra. I simply called up, said I wanted the extra data they were now offering (given they changed the allowances only a week or so after I bought my phone)and after a very pleasant five minute conversation, I was done. So yes, you can keep your plan, upgrade your data and not have to re-start anything. Result!
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 5:20 PMAwesome! Just keeps getting better! Haha when Telstra finally adds preorder I will be on it!
Biderjum
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:14 AMAs I only ever want to go on 12 month contracts, so I can always be free to get the newest iPhone and I want to go with telstra for their superior network, I have no choice but to buy the iPhone outright and then do a BYO plan @ $99/mo, so for the 12 months it will be $2087, that’s a lot, but its what I will/am doing.
Jessica
Friday, October 14, 2011 at 8:12 AMWouldn’t be cheaper to just pay out a 24 months contract at the 12 month mark??
Rob
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 8:20 PMHi Jess.
I’ve been on Telstra 24 month plans now for 4 years, but every time a new iPhone comes out, they’ve allowed me to upgrade and waive all ETCs. I’ve remained on a $79 plan plus an additional $49 data pack (internet tethering is SUPER fast with Telstra, which I use instead of mobile broadband or ADSL2). They’re really good with that – I justask to upgrade early, they say no problems, we’ll even waive all the costs.. Telstra are awesome.
Penmonicus
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:36 AMJB Hi-fi offer a $200 credit if you join Telstra from another carrier – on certain phones/plans. I’ll head in sometime in the next couple of days and see if I can score that on a 4S.
louisa
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:47 AMsheesh I thought by 9am I’d get a “put in your preorders now” text… now i’m betting on 12 noon, i mean they need to give us atleasst a couple of days right?
Penmonicus
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:57 AMYeah, I got a bit antsy and signed up to Telstra’s notification list thing on their site… Still don’t seem to’ve been notified.
MJ
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 1:00 PMTell me about it! I’m already signed up for that on my personal email but decided to do it for my work email as well. I’ve been refreshing the Telstra page all day. Nothing. It’s 1300h and I’m starting to get really annoyed at them for taking so long to update their site.
louisa
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:52 PMI hear ya! THis is the first time all day i’ve not got my phone with me so i’m assuming it’s happening right now… i just keep refreshing the website…. this is REALLY ridiculous, i start work at 8am friday i can’t stand around queuing and i can only assume that by the time i finish the stock will be sold out…
dan b
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:58 PMYea good luck with that, the notifications wont be coming till saturday at least
Jordz
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 12:15 PMStill waiting!!! When can we pre-order on telstra website???
Barii
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 12:42 PMall i want is $79 + $20 64GB handset = $99 for 12 months = $1188. then i would love Tel$tra ;)
Biderjum
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 1:50 PMthats what i want too, never going to happen, so $99 + outright purchase it is
Turd
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 12:42 PMWill it be network locked to Telstra if I get one from Telstra?
Duy
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 12:54 PMSure it is, but you can unlock it for a price ($150 if nothing changes)
Turd
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 1:01 PM$150??? That’s a bit rich
Shawn
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 1:24 PMIt’s for free now.
http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2010/10/15/telstra-removes-unlock-fee-for-apple-iphone-for-jet-setting-aussies/
Turd
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 1:35 PMWow aweoms!
ajr
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:04 PMRather than waiting for a preorder page to appear on their website, anyone tried walking into a Telstra shop and preordering there? I thought I might try on the way home from work.
Gabe
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:08 PMalready tried today, they wont take pre orders, tried sydney george street store.. they also wouldnt confirm the prices, but their chat centre on fb confirmed it for me
louisa
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:53 PMyeah it’s first come first server on friday morning at 8am… not much good to people with JOBS who can AFFORD their prices…
San
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:56 PMI tried the Brisbane CBD T Store and they took my details and said they will call me on Thirsday. However I have my doubts until I get a call!!!
Lillee
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 4:07 PMCall JBHifi and put your name down for a phone to pickup on Friday. They took my name, number and what colour/model. See you all at Pitt Street Store 9am Friday.
ajr
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 5:18 PMCalled JB, they didn’t think it was necessary to take my details, they just said they’ve got heaps so just turn up on friday.
itajuve84
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 5:05 PManyone know when the telstra page will actually get updated? What is the point of releasing pricing if they aren’t even going to update their website to reflect the new phone! This is stupid!! Does anyone know if the carindale telstra store will be open @ 8am?
Raymond
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 5:27 PMSo if the Telstra site hasn’t been updated? And now all we see is the life hacker graph…
Where did Giz get these plans from? :)
Andrew
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:45 PMJust pre-ordered my 4S 64GB White then :D go Telstra!
Phil
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:00 PMI just looked at the pricing – you are much better off buying your phone from Apple and getting a BYO Telstra plan!
Example:
32gb iPhone 4S – Min $58 plan,$550 value (yeah right, value) costs $67 Per month = total $1608
Buy a 32Gb iPhone at Apple @ $899, get a BYO $59 plan with $880 value = total $1607, and locked in for only 12 months!
So get $330 of Telstra credit per month, 0.5Gb extra and pay opnly $1607, and you’re only locked in for 12 months…
Are Telstra just daft, or just trying to rip you off?
Also – look for discounted iTunes vouchers and you can often save yourself 10 to 20% buying though Apple!
Phil
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:09 PMSorry, just checking again, I should point out the totals there for the BYO are for 12 months, whereas the totals for an iPhone 4S Telstra plan are for 24 months… My mistake.
Troy
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:14 PMAbsolutely. You’re also better off buying a house outright as opposed to locking in a mortgage but for some of us that option just isn’t practical.
That said … I just pre-ordered my 64GB 4S from Telstra.
Barii
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:29 PMthey just sent me an email !!
its the same and no 12month contracts :(