iPhone 4: Apple direct pricing vs Vodafone subsidy pricing

Last night, Apple opened its NZ online store for iPhone orders.

It's pricing: $1299 for the 32GB model; $1099 for the 16GB model.

Ship time is three weeks, with free delivery.

The 32GB and 16GB versions of the older iPhone 3GS have been culled from the lineuup; an 8GB model 3GS costs $899.

Vodafone put iPhone 4 pricing on its website, listing the cost of each model when subsidised on-contract. But it said that online sales would not begin "for several weeks" (a limited number of handsets were made available at retail, but sold out within four hours). Here it is (the top line is the monthly plan price):

Vodafone currently just has an out-of-stock message for each handset off-contract, but NBR understands its unsubsidised pricing is around $30 more than Apple's per model.

Here's what each monthly iPhone plan buys you (more here):

So for now, people have to buy an iPhone buyers have to go through Apple direct, they can then pick the mobile data plan of their choice from Telecom, 2degrees or, heck, even sole official carrier Vodafone.

The only way to get a handset subsidy is to buy an iPhone 4 through sole official carrier Vodafone.

Telecom - better, but still being a bit wussy
Telecom, long-laid low by its XT blues, has displayed considerable moxie over the iPhone 4 and iPad 3G release, releasing a Micro-SIM and plans aimed at Apple fans, plus a viral video showing XT vs Vodafone 3G speed at various (Telecom-selected) locations.

However, Telecom has yet to make a move with the immediate pull of the $600 rebate (aimed to nullify Vodafone's handset subsidy or a break-fee) that it offered soon after XT's launch.

2degrees has also released a Micro-SIM (available via an 0800 number from Friday, and in Dick Smith stores from Tuesday). The Micro-SIM can be used on 2degrees 3G network, which is now open to all customers, although not officially launched. 

2degrees announcement pending
On Tuesday, 2degrees has called a major press conference. The official reason is that it's the telco's first anniversary, but other announcements will also be made, a spokesman told NBR.