Singapore iPhone 5C/5S price plans translate to S$500 user subsidies

S$470 subsidy for 5S, S$515 for 5C.

All three telcos have announced their price plans for the new Apple iPhone 5S/5C recently, notes OCBC, with the 16GB model of the more powerful 5S, being offered at between S$515 and S$532 on a 2-year contract under their basic plans, versus the Apple Store’s retail price of S$988.

"This translates to an upfront subsidy of ~S$470 per subscriber. For the 5C, basic plan subscribers would need to fork out between S$318 and S$355 for the entry-level 16GB model on a 2-year contract," said OCBC.

"This amounts to a subsidy of ~S$515 against the retail price of S$848 found in the Apple Store. However, with Samsung launching its new Galaxy Note 3 around the same time, this may temper the demand for the new iPhone," it added.