Mobile Unlocked has put together an interesting interactive tool that shows contract-free iPhone prices around the world, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of GDP. There are four countries where an iPhone sells for around 20 percent of the average annual income: Philippines (18%), Jordan (18.2%), Vietnam (19.8%) and India (22.3%).
Qatar – one of the richest countries in the world – has the lowest percentage, at less than 0.8%, while the USA comes in at just under 1.4% and the UK at 2.4%.
Cheapest in cash terms is the USA at $707, most expensive is Jordan at $1091. In the US, of course, most of the true cost of the iPhone is a disguised part of your monthly contract fee.
Following the debut of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in several new countries late last week, Apple will begin rolling out the new devices in several countries during the month of November. Apple previously indicated that it would ship the devices on November 1st in Albania, Armenia, Bahrain, Colombia, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, India, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE…
Update: Apple confirmed with an official press release (below) the store is launching in not only seven, but twelve new countries including: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
A new rumor claims Apple will host an event tomorrow for the launch of iTunes Store content in seven Asian regions.
e27 just published a report, which cited a “trusted source in the industry,” about Apple planning to host a launch event in Hong Kong for iTunes Store video content going live in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. While the current location is not confirmed, it is “close to the airport,” and the publication previously noted Apple invited Asian music label reps to Hong Kong for an unspecified June 27 launch event. Another report from Philippine-based blog Mister JonJon claimed access to movies, music, books, and movie rentals has already gone live for some.
A review of the localized iTunes Stores for the various countries reveals that movie listings have already gone live, and the navigation bars also contain listings for music, although the are not yet functional. TV shows are not listed as an option in the navigation bar, so it appears that they may not be included in the launch.
Movies and music in Apple’s iTunes Store are available in over 50 countries, with the most recent addition including Latin American countries in December, while App Store apps expanded just last week to 32 new territories.
