Optus plans: iPhone vs. Android

(Credit: CNET.com.au)

analysis Optus is asking its customers to choose between two of the most popular handsets of 2008, the iPhone 3G and the Android-powered HTC Dream.

Optus will make the Dream available on four plans similar to those it used for the iPhone: $59 and $79 "yes" Cap plans, plus $99 and $129 "yes" Timeless contracts that include unlimited national calls and messages.

Differences in the handsets aside, we take a close look at how much each phone will cost when Optus releases the Dream on 16 February.

$59 "yes" Cap plan

$79 "yes" Cap plan

$99 "yes" Timeless plan

$129 "yes" Timeless plan

*p/m = per month
**Unlimited = unlimited calls and text messages to Australian mobiles and landlines.
8GB iPhone 3G models were used for comparison in these tables

So the Google phone will cost more than the iPhone 3G. Do you think it's worth the extra money? Does the idea of free apps on the Android Market add the extra value you want to buy the Dream? Tell us below in the talkback.

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Add your opinion

R U SERIOUS? Anonymous -- 06/02/09

How can they justify andriod costing more than the iphone given that andriod is free??

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re: R U SERIOUS Anonymous -- 06/02/09 (in reply to #320122444)

The operating system on the phone is Open Source, but it still costs money to develop the hardware. Granted the cost should be lower (less software development required), but it would be interesting to see what it would cost to buy the phone out right (not through Optus).

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Plan Calculators Anonymous -- 06/02/09

If you think of getting one check this calculator that compares plans

http://www.numbersinaflash.com/htc-dream/

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For sure Andrew Ockrim -- 09/02/09

Better phone features, cheaper apps (im happy to pay small dev costs) who wouldn't want a HTC over the apple i-toy.
HTC make better quality products across the board.
Costs will naturally come down when the phone comes of out exclusivity and the market can drive down the costs and offer alternate plans.
I definitely don't agree with m monthly handset payments. There should only be a small upfront and then no ongoing handset charges - that's double dipping considering the costs of the plans.
Once Android can be client ed into corporate back end infrastructures (similar to Blackberry's) this will add much needed competition into the market place and drive down handset/plan pricing.
Even so, this is a must have pda/phone. The long term costs of open source OS will be much lower when developers start offering free apps.

This could be the "motorolla brick" of the open source phones.. The one we all fondly remember in years to come, and the one that retro movies of 2020 may look back on..

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Why are you surprised? Dan Cooper -- 09/02/09

Those are the current prices. What was the iPhone 3G at LAUNCH?

The HTC Dream will be a new handset in Australia. They always cost more at launch. Don't get suckered in by the slightly higher cost and think the Dream is a rip off. Just wait a month or three. Early adopters of all technologies are always parted with more of their dough than those who wait a while.

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WHAT JOKE! Anonymous -- 09/02/09 (in reply to #320122775)

Android is open source! How the hell can you justify the price. Just sign up as an android developer, buy the iphone out right from google and signup with 3's iphone data plan. The phone is $399us and the 3 plan is cheaper than optus with more data (2g). Optus should be ashamed!

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Why are you surprised Anonymous -- 17/02/09 (in reply to #320122775)

Handset repayments on the Iphone actually went up on Optus plans as well as the prepaid price. First prepaid 8GB Iphones cost $729 now they are $799. If the Dream is as good or better than the Iphone don't hold your breath for prices to reduce.

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