The highly-anticipated iPhone 4 smartphone makes its local debut today, with MTN and Vodacom planning to host simultaneous events to unveil the device.
While MTN has confirmed that it will be unveiling the iPhone 4, Vodacom has opted not to officially identify the iPhone 4 as the product being unveiled. It says: “The next-generation model of the world's most desired phone is officially launching in SA on 22 September.”
Both MTN and Vodacom have announced a “midnight launch event” on 21 September, both of which will be hosted in the Midrand area.
The local launch marks the first time that Vodacom will be rivalled in the local iPhone market, as the company recently lost its exclusive arrangement to resell and distribute Apple's high-end iPhone 4 in SA.
Vodacom, through its relationship with Vodafone, has been the exclusive reseller of the iPhone in SA for almost two years, beginning with the second-generation iPhone 3G and then the iPhone 3GS.
Now MTN has entered the fray and says that the iPhone 4 will initially be available only from selected MTN-branded stores around SA, from midnight tonight, and will be rolled out to more than 250 outlets nationwide by mid-October.
Apple sold over 1.7 million iPhone 4s in the first three days of hitting the global market on 24 June and WWW Strategy MD Steven Ambrose predicts that the hype may reach fever pitch locally as well.
More at ITWeb
