Buying an iphone 4 in Jakarta

[C00rara69]

Was wondering if anyone can help me out as I have only been in Jakarta for a few days.
Will be in Jakarta for a while and want to by an iphone 4.

Went to a store near my work and they were selling an unlocked phone for 7mill Rp. for 16GB model. Is this a good price? Is there anything I should be aware of? They assured me that I could use any sim card in it, is this true?
Thanks

[jave2001]

Almost every phone here is unlocked and can use any sim card. Yes most Iphones go for between 6M and 7M Rp. But why buy an Iphone, look around and you will notice most people use Blackberry which is cheaper and more functional in my opinion.

[noname]

most people use Blackberry which is cheaper and more functional in my opinion.

I intend to get a Blackberry once I'm there as well. I know there are quite a number of models lined up for release this year, and I can't decide if I should wait or just get the existing ones. The new ones will be on OS 7.0. In any case, I won't be casting aside my iPhone anytime soon. I also realize many Indonesians carry more than one phone around.

[jave2001]

I intend to get a Blackberry once I'm there as well. I know there are quite a number of models lined up for release this year, and I can't decide if I should wait or just get the existing ones. The new ones will be on OS 7.0. In any case, I won't be casting aside my iPhone anytime soon. I also realize many Indonesians carry more than one phone around.

Yes usually one GSM and one CDMA.

[C00rara69]

whats the difference/benefits/downsides to GSM or CDMA? Doe sit matter when buying an iphone?

[jave2001]

GSM phones use SIM cards. The removable SIM card allows phones to be instantly activated, interchanged, swapped out and upgraded, all without carrier intervention. The SIM itself is tied to the network, rather than the actual phone.

The CDMA equivalent, a R-UIM card, is only available in parts of Asia and also can be instantly activated, interchanged, and swapped out, all without carrier intervention.

Here in Indonesia you use your GSM phone for buisness, mobile internet, and general use. The CDMA phones and service are cheaper, calling and texting someone CDMA to CDMA is cheaper then with GSM so most use CDMA with family and friends.

Iphones are only GSM, you cannot use a GSM SIM in a CDMA phone and vice versa.

[C00rara69]

Yes most Iphones go for between 6M and 7M Rp.

where have you seen them for 6M Rp?

[jave2001]

http://www.bhinneka.com/category/apple_iphone.aspx also try some of the handphone shops in Taman Anggrek and Ambassador Mall.

[exiledgooner]

But why buy an Iphone, look around and you will notice most people use Blackberry

reason enough not to imho

[K&M]

But why buy an Iphone, look around and you will notice most people use Blackberry

reason enough not to IMHO

Stop guessing, not true. In smartphone segment both Blackberry and Iphone have about 15% of the market each, Android about 40%.
By 2015 both blackberry and Iphone are predicted to be relegated to 3rd and 4th place behind windows phone 7 OS

[jave2001]

I disagree Blackberrys are more secure and private data is very hard if not impossible to hack, windows and android os's have a bad reputation with their security and easily hacked especially over unsecured wifi.

[K&M]

That is another arguement, and away from your previous premis that "why buy Iphone when most people are using Blackberry."
And based on that the biggest share of the smartphone market at about 40% is Android OS.

As for Blackberry and basing their future on cloud services, good luck if you think that is the way to go and will be secure.

[sergei]

Was wondering if anyone can help me out as I have only been in Jakarta for a few days.
Will be in Jakarta for a while and want to by an iphone 4.

Went to a store near my work and they were selling an unlocked phone for 7mill Rp. for 16GB model. Is this a good price? Is there anything I should be aware of? They assured me that I could use any sim card in it, is this true?
Thanks

In Indonesia you can buy iPhone 4 from most big cell phone stores like Oke, TokoPDA.com, Welcomm; several GSM providers (Telkomsel, XL); small private stores at malls and ITCs like Ambasador and Mangga Dua. Big stores will have higher prices, but lower chances of shenanigans and better warranty. If you buy from GSM providers, like Telkomsel and XL, you can get a reduced price by signing a contract.

iPhones sold in Indonesia are unlocked, except very rare cases where they were imported from USA or Canada. Any GSM provider will work, as long as you cut the SIM card to MicroSIM size. Many cell phone stores will do it for around 20K for you.

[sergei]

But why buy an Iphone, look around and you will notice most people use Blackberry which is cheaper and more functional in my opinion.

Blackberry is more functional than iPhone 4? Mind elaborating.

Blackberry OS is total crap in my book (and this is coming from Canadian). The only "advantages" BB has got here are cheaper data plans and huge BBM user base. However, if things continue as they are, even these advantages will become irrelevant and people will switch to much better products like Android and iOS devices.

In smartphone segment both Blackberry and Iphone have about 15% of the market each, Android about 40%.

Really? You sure that estimate is not for all Android devices instead of just smartphones?

By 2015 both blackberry and Iphone are predicted to be relegated to 3rd and 4th place behind windows phone 7 OS

Win7 surpassing Blackberry - not surprising, but iPhone - highly doubt it.

I disagree Blackberrys are more secure and private data is very hard if not impossible to hack, windows and android os's have a bad reputation with their security and easily hacked especially over unsecured wifi.

Blackberry's security only applies to data routed via BIS/BES, i.e. email and bbm. It doesn't make all other apps and services any more secure. Connect to free WiFi at Starbucks and I can hack into your facebook/twitter/yahoo account with the same ease, whether you use BB, iPhone, Android or PC.

[K&M]

Really? You sure that estimate is not for all Android devices instead of just smartphones?

Win7 surpassing Blackberry - not surprising, but iPhone - highly doubt it.

Blackberry's security only applies to data routed via BIS/BES, i.e. email and bbm. It doesn't make all other apps and services any more secure. Connect to free WiFi at Starbucks and I can hack into your facebook/twitter/yahoo account with the same ease, whether you use BB, iPhone, Android or PC.

All smartphones, they include current Symbian, Android phones are the clear smartphone leaders at the moment

Microsoft will leverage of their tie up with Nokia, it is realistic, don't underestimate it and their are plenty of other manufactures that want to use ( assuming that the rumours of Microsoft buying Nokia really are not true, then it would be a different story )
Whilst current Symbian is a rock in comparison, the manufacturing capability of Nokia is the the best in the world, no one can compete with their volumes and buying power.

Well said and in some countries ( read the likes of India ) they have problems as the countries security departments want the ability to have LIG ( Legal Intercept gateways ) or they Will be kicked out. If you think giving the likes of India that access is secure, go dream again