iPhone 5: Australian buying guide

The iPhone 5 was announced globally last Thursday and became available via pre-order through Apple and Australia’s telcos on Friday night.

The 4G device sold out on pre-orders on Apple’s online store just one hour after it became available on Friday, smashing records set by both the iPhone 4S and before that, the iPhone 4.

The overwhelming demand forced Apple to push back its shipment date a week, from September 21 to September 28.

The iPhone 5 will be available from Apple’s retail outlets for $799 for the 16GB model, $899 for 32GB and $999 for the 64GB model. All of Australia’s major telcos are offering the iPhone 5 on a variety of plans. Below is the full guide.

Telstra

Telstra is offering the priciest plans of the bunch, starting from $67 per month for the 16GB version, offering 1GB data, $600 value and unlimited text; to $130 per month for 3GB data and unlimited talk and SMS.

The 32GB iPhone 5 ranges from $71 to $132 per month, while the 64GB version is available from $77 to $137 per month. A full list of Telstra’s plans can be found on the telco’s website.

Optus

Optus was Australia’s first telco to announce its pricing for the new smartphone.

Optus’ eight plans range from $30 plus an $18 handset repayment fee, which offers $200 of call and SMS credits and 200MB of data a month, to $129 for 4GB and unlimited calls and SMS.

The base $30 plan is the only plan to not include unlimited SMS. All plans are on a 24 month contract.

Virgin Mobile

Optus subsidiary carrier Virgin Mobile will use Optus’ 4G network and is offering the smartphone on five separate plans for each of the three variations of the iPhone 5.

For the 16GB model plans range from $47 (for 200MB data plus an $18 handset repayment for $450) to $89 (for 4GB and unlimited call and SMS). The 32GB model ranges from $52 (plus $23 handset fee for 250MB and $450 value) to $89 (unlimited call and SMS and 4GB data); and for the 64GB plans range from $56 (plus $27 handset fee for $450 value and 250MB) to $92 (plus $3 handset fee, unlimited call and SMS and 4GB data).

Vodafone

Vodafone is offering the three 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations of the iPhone 5 on plans ranging from $30 p/m (plus $18, $22.50 and $27 handset repayments respectively) up to $100 p/m with no handset fee.

But unlike its rivals and fellow iPhone 5 retailers Telstra, Optus and Virgin Mobile, Vodafone is yet to launch a 4G network. It last week announced the launch of its 3G+ (dual carrier HSPA+) services in areas in major cities across Australia - the network the iPhone 5 will run on.