As everybody already know, the iPhone 4s is launching tonight at midnight on Dec 16 which also happens to by my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Christabel!
So, you’re probably wondering what are the alternatives to get your hands on this beauty of a phone that causes people to be willing to stand all day in lines to get it. I’m here to tell you some ways.
1) Pre-Order on DIGI website
This is probably the easiest method for lazy bums to get the iPhone of their choice without having to go outdoors. If you had pre-ordered much earlier, you will be receiving the phone by tomorrow, but if pre-order now, you will get it soon. DIGI claim to be able to deliver it within 3 days of payment clearance. It’s still better than getting it on Apple Store at an extra RM200 and having to wait 1-2 weeks indefinitely. Out of 3 Telcos offering the phone, apparently only DIGI has this Online Order procedure. Pretty nifty for people like me who really do not want to go stand in line.
2) Order on the Apple Store on Dec 16. This is for the patient ones. As mentioned, there’s an up to 2 weeks wait, by when everyone you know would have shown off their iPhone 4s. But with this method, you get to do free engraving on the back of the phone, which is one cool thing. However, you won’t get any subsidy Telcos can offer. Great for those that don’t mind to pay extra and doesn’t want to be tied to any contract.
3) Attend one of the Launch Events happening tonight! This method is not for me, but great for any party goer and risk taker. When you attend an event, there is no guarantee you are going home with the phone that day itself, it really depends how many people appear and how far back the line you’re at. I guess it will be very exciting to be the first person in line, but imagine the hours you have stand. I really just want to get a phone, not watch performances and attend what party.
Here are the details of each launch event via Liewcf.com:
Maxis iPhone 4S launch
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Ground Floor, Exhibition Hall 1
Date: 16th December 2011
Time: 12:00am – 3:00am
DiGi iPhone 4S launch
Venue: DiGi 360° SoHoKL outlet, Solaris Mont Kiara
Date: 16th December 2011
Time: 12:00am
Celcom iPhone 4S launch
Venue: La Bodega, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 16th December 2011
Time: Queue starts at 9am (15 Dec), Sales start at 12am (16th Dec)
However, it seems that these events are only for those invited if they have expressed interest in the beginning. I’m not sure how they are going to stop gate crashers though since this info is like published on so many blogs. Once again, I think kind of launches are all to create hype for Apple, to show how crazy people are. Seriously, can’t imagine attending one of these.
4) Wait for the launch day, which is like tomorrow, and walk in to any preferred shop. This is great, granted that the iPhones didn’t already sold out in the launch event. It is quite risky, it’s best to call your preferred outlets and ask first before heading there. Digi in SOHO KL is even having 2 days 24 hours open shop just so that people can walk in anytime, even at 4am! Celcom allowed people to pay a RM200 deposit before tomorrow to ‘book’ your iPhone. From experience, they usually just sell on first come first served, no?
I am going to walk in tomorrow to a smaller DIGI kiosk store, coz my iPhone 4s is already reserved and waiting for me there. Thanks to ‘friends in high places’ so said the so called friend. I had a bit of a glitch with DIGI due to me having just changed my plan this month, and there is this clause that I cannot change plans for the next 90 days. But thanks to the good people at DIGI, I am going to get my plan changed afterall, to iDIGI and I’m getting my phone tomorrow! Hurray!