iPhone in Bahrain by year-end

[abdulla]

MANAMA: The Apple iPhone could be released in Bahrain as soon as the end of the year, according to Apple's retail manager Ajay Aborol. Although Apple is not eager to display its world strategy for the iPhone on its website, Mr Aborol claims that there is a possibility of its arrival in November or December. However, he also said that Apple has not given any official release date.
Even though there is currently a database of 400 customers in Bahrain that have pre-ordered the iPhone, the price is yet to be set, but could range from BD300 to BD350 for the 4GB model and BD400-450 for the 8GB model.
Other information, such as who will be the service provider in Bahrain is yet to be confirmed.
"If people purchase an iPhone from America it will not work here in Bahrain as there is no network coverage for the product yet. It is possible that the iPhone will be released in Bahrain by the end of the year," Mr Aborol said.

Gulf Daily News

[661]

Woow now thats good news! atleast for some people lol, but really im not Ipod, Iphone type, but since teenagers make most of our population, im sure this would turnout well. im looking forward to have the Sidekick here in bahrain, thats a phone that i really like to have

[Ahmed Alzayani]

iPhone lacks 3G , memory card slot, GPS ... etc ... but i love the multi-touch 3.5" display and the GUI ... maybe i will buy iPhone 2G

[Nitro]

in the states its for like 400 dollers and here for 400 BD?

[Ahmed Alzayani]

BD 400 !!!! i can buy a good laptop with this amount of money or 42" TV. in the US it's US$499 (BD188) for the 4 GB model and US$599 (BD 225) for the 8 GB model.

Other information, such as who will be the service provider in Bahrain is yet to be confirmed.

Pleas don't tell me it will be locked with Batelco or MTC .. we don't do that in Bahrain all the phone's here is unlocked. right?!

[abdulla]

Thats the problem with many retailers here in Bahrain, remove the $ sign, add BD to the price tag.

Originally Posted by Ahmed Alzayani

Pleas don't tell me it will be locked with Batelco or MTC .. we don't do that in Bahrain all the phone's here is unlocked. right?!

Blackberry phones here in Bahrain are locked to either Batelco or MTC. But with the iPhone, they have to select one mobile operator, because there is only one type of iPhone available.

[EvolutioniuM]

BD400+ for 8 GB iPod!!! thats an utter rip off, I'd rather to wait for the American edition to get unlocked properly

Btw was that retailer iMachines or Mac Center??

[abdulla]

Originally Posted by EvolutioniuM

Btw was that retailer iMachines or Mac Center??

The original article didn't mention that, but it did mention the name of the retail manager, so at least if someone knows one of the managers then you can know which retailer it was.

[661]

Originally Posted by Nitro

in the states its for like 400 dollers and here for 400 BD?

sadly thats always the case with electronics

[gfarag]

Well guys !! i have newwwws for u ..

There is a posting on facebook.com in the market place of bahrain.. someone has broken the code to allow the phone to work on any network,, and is actually selling some phones.. i think he has around 8 pieces for $700 a piece which i guess is better than the BD400