Apple Computers' iPhone 7 is coming to Israel next week on October 20. The device is slated to go on sale at the cellular companies and iDigital outlets, some of which have already begun taking advance orders for the device.
The new smartphones (iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus) will be available in Israel in four different versions, each with a different storage capacity (32, 64, 128, and 256 gigabytes), and in a variety of colors (probably pink, gold, silver, shiny black, and dull black.
It is believed that the cheapest model, the iPhone 7 with a 4.7-inch screen and 32 gigabytes of storage space, with cost NIS 3,800, with prices gradually climbing to NIS 5,000 or more for the 256-gigabyte version.
Hot Mobile Ltd. is offering a special launch price for those making advance orders: the 32-gigabyte iPhone 7 for NIS 3,649, the 32-gigabyte iPhone 7 plus for NIS 4,400, the 128-gigabyte iPhone 7s for NIS 4,300, and the 128-gigabyte iPhone 7 plus for NIS 5,000. The company is also offering trade-ins of up to NIS 1,360 for an iPhone 6 and is also promising to deliver the new devices on the launch date.
Prices at Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) will start at NIS 3,800. The company will also offer leasing plans with a NIS 2,000 down payment and one year of NIS 167 monthly payments. At the end of the year, the purchase can be completed with an additional payment of NIS 2,160 (NIS 180 a month for 12 months), or the device can be traded in for a new model (assuming one is launched). The total price for leasing is NIS 4,160.
The iPhone 6 phones were sold at launch at NIS 3,600 for the 16 gigabyte version (no longer produced), NIS 4,300 for the 64 gigabyte version, and NIS 4,800 for the 128 gigabyte version. The iPhone 6 plus was sold at launch at NIS 4,900 for the 64 gigabyte version, and NIS 5,600 for the 128 gigabyte version.
No major differences in price between the cellular companies are expected (NIS 100 more or less); the real competition will be over the accessories and benefits.
The advance orders offered by the cellular companies are designed to create a buzz and attract customers. At Hot Mobile, Partner, and Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE:CEL; TASE:CEL), devices can be ordered in advance at no extra cost, while Pelephone Communications Ltd. is charging NIS 100 for an advance order. Pelephone is also offering a seven-year warranty for the device, which sounds attractive, but not many people keep a cellular device for seven years, especially Apple models.
The Machsanei Hashmal chain, which will also sell the new iPhones starting on Thursday, is charging NIS 200 for an advance order. The chain's launch prices are NIS 3,600 for the 32-gigabyte iPhone 7, NIS 4,350 for the 32-gigabyte iPhone 7 plus, NIS 4,250 for the 128-gigabyte iPhone 7s, and NIS 4,900 for the 128-gigabyte iPhone 7 plus. The company is also offering trade-ins of up to NIS 2,500, and promises delivery by the launch date.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 13, 2016
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