Apple iPhone 5 Price Plans Comparison

Apple iPhone 5 Prices in Singapore

On 21^st September, Apple's iPhone 5 will be made available in Singapore. Surprisingly, the retail prices for the iPhone 5 are similar to the iPhone 4S when it was launched a year ago.

iPhone Prices with 2-year Contract

Likewise, the three Singapore telcos, namely SingTel, M1 and StarHub, have also announced the pricing of the iPhone 5 when customers sign up for a 2-year contract. Nonetheless, comparing against what we've seen from the previous year, there are some slight changes to the pricing mechanics for this year's iPhone 5. Here are some points to note regarding the new pricing:

1. For now, M1 and StarHub no longer charges an additional $10.70/month for customers who are signing up for the 4G value-added service. Singtel is not differentiating 3G or 4G users and doesn't have a 4G value-added service charge.



2. M1 offers an additional 1GB free data bundle for re-contracting customers.



3. StarHub is offering an option to upsize 1GB extra for $2.14/month. Promotion is valid till 31^st Dec 2013.



4. At the moment, M1 is the only telco to provide nationwide 4G LTE coverage. SingTel is working towards 80% islandwide coverage by December this year while StarHub's 4G LTE network coverage is limited to the Central Business District, Changi Airport and Singapore Expo. 

In a nutshell, here are the prices of the iPhone 5 with the new tiered smartphone plans:

Basic Plans Comparison

Mid-tier Plans Comparison

High-tier Plans Comparison

Premium Plans Comparison

Quick Analysis

The answer is pretty obvious - M1 offers the cheapest iPhone prices upfront across the board - assuming no other value added services and extra charges are incurred from actual monthly usage. Once you hit the high-tier plans, it makes sense to opt for the 32GB model, while those opting for premium plans would be better off with a 64GB model due to the small price differential.

Should I Upgrade - Yes or No?

If you are still using an iPhone 3GS , it's a no-brainer to upgrade to the iPhone 5. Although the iPhone 3GS can be updated to the latest iOS 6, it will not get all the new features such as Shared Photo Streams, FaceTime over cellular, 3D Flyover or turn-by-turn navigation features of the new Maps app, Panorama mode or the offline reading list feature. Moreover, you should be eligible to renew your contract with the telco without having to fork out extra money for the early upgrading fees. If you fit this user group, the upgrade will reap a number of benefits such as:-

• A 4.0-inch Retina display with sharper text and more vibrant colors 
• Faster mobile connectivity with 4G LTE connection
• Faster A6 processor
• One of the best camera phones in the market
• Thinner and lighter chassis

iPhone 4 users should likely not face a dilemma as their contracts with the telcos should have ceased by now if they are among the early adopters in August 2010. However, we cannot say the same for consumers who bought the white version in April 2011 as they most probably have another 4-7 months (early upgrade for some telcos at 21^st month) to go for their contracts. Similar to the reasons stated earlier for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 owners should upgrade to the iPhone 5 if their budgets and contracts allow them to do so.

As for those out there with the iPhone 4S, it is still quite a competent smartphone, and the incentives to upgrade to the iPhone 5 are lesser. You will not miss out on any of the new features of iOS 6. The difference mainly lies in the hardware: would you want a bigger screen, a faster processor and 4G LTE connectivity? In addition, you have to consider the early upgrading fee if you want to upgrade to the iPhone 5. Alternatively, you can purchase the iPhone 5 without contract from the Apple Online Store (Singapore) although stocks are unavailable at the moment. You can get the phone from any of the authorized Apple retailers too (1) (2).

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