iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c finally in PH

Smart to release nationwide, unveil exclusive offers starting November 15

In 2011, Smart Communications set a new benchmark for launch events as it shut down the Rockwell Power Plant Mall for a grand welcoming party for the iPhone 4s. The place was overflowing with freebies as media and guests were treated to Burgoo, Cibo, and Sumo Sam and got FREE offee from Starbucks and CBTL; played for FREE at the Power Station arcades, watched Mission Impossible (for free plus popcorn and iced tea); a FREE concert from Lupe Fiasco (which was just wild!) And as if the FREEBIES werent enough  they also raffled tons of prizes such as MacBooks, iPads, iPods, and a brand new Subaru car worth Php2.5M.

The following year, Smart again did the seemingly impossible– top their own event. The launch of the iPhone 5 was held in several places simultaneously. The main launch event was held at Resorts World Manila in Parañaque while others partied at the Reserve in Ortigas, Dilingers in Makati, Trilogy Boutique in Alabang Town Center, Jack’s Loft in Eastwood, Penthouse in Cebu City, Starr in Davao City, and the Smart stores located in Greenhills, San Juan, and Limketkai, Cagayan de Oro.

So it was no surprise that everybody was anticipating an even bigger launch this year, unfortunately because of the recent calamity brought about by Typhoon Yolanda, the leading telecom company decided to forego a lavish launch event to focus on restoring their service and participating in the relief efforts for the affected provinces.

Still the country’s  mobile leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is pushing through with the release of the iPhone 5s and the debut of the iPhone 5c today, November 15, and makes up for it by offering very tempting postpaid plans and giving away some freebies for launch day.

Company officials announced that the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will be will be released simultaneouslyin all Smart Stores across the country, on the first day of its availability.

Approved applicants who registered online during the sign-up period may also get their units at their chosen pick-up points – whether at the Eastwood Mall Open Park in Quezon City or at the Jump Experience Center in SM City Cebu and SM Lanang Premier, Davao.

“We have made it easier and more convenient for our subscribers to claim their iPhone of choice, at their venue of choice,” said Charles A. Lim, Smart’s executive vice president and head of wireless consumer business. “With our simultaneous release nationwide, more Filipinos will be able to easily and quickly get their dream device on the network it deserves.”

The highly-anticipated iPhones will further boost Smart’s portfolio of smartphones capable of ultrafast LTE wireless Internet.

“We now have the most advanced smartphones in our lineup, and we have been leading in establishing a future-proof network ready for the surge in uptake of such devices,” said Lim. “With our biggest network and the most extensive LTE coverage in the country, we are ready to give our subscribers the best iPhone user experience.”

Widest selection of Plans
Aside from its most number of iPhone distribution channels yet on Day 1 of its launch, Smart is also offering the widest range of postpaid plans and offers that can be paired with the iPhone 5s or the iPhone 5c.

The iPhone 5s (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) and iPhone 5c (16GB, 32GB) are available on Smart Postpaid’s Freedom Plan, All-In Plans 500, 800, 1200, 1800 and 2500; iPhone Plans 999 and 2499; UnliData Plans 1500, 2000 and 3000; and Smart Infinity Plans 3500, 5000 and 8000.
“With the variety of postpaid plans available for the iPhone, you can surely find one that’s perfect for your lifestyle and budget,” said Kathy Carag, head of Smart’s postpaid business group. “We offer a wide range of plans that fit your usage habits, which also come with easy and flexible cash-out options.”
For instance, subscribers can get the iPhone 5c (16 GB) for only P1,499 a month with the iPhone Plan 999 (P999 monthly service fee plus P500 device amortization via credit card). iPhone Plan 999 already comes with 40 free all-net call minutes, 100 free all-net SMS and unlimited LTE connection.
Exclusive Offers
Smart also unveiled iPhone packages that it will be offering for the first time.
Subscribers who will be availing of the iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c on Freedom Plan (Smart postpaid plan offering with no lock-out period and fixed monthly fees), will get free 250mb of data worth P300 every month for the entire first year of subscription.
Premium offers also await Smart Infinity members. The iPhone 5s (16GB) for example is offered at Plan 5000 with bonus 2 VIP tickets to the Philippine staging of the hit musical Wicked or PhP14,000 worth of Rustan’s gift certificates. Plan 8000 subscribers meanwhile get both the iPhone 5s (32GB) and iPhone 5C (16GB).

For SMART Infinity Enterprise Plan 5000, subscribers have their choice of iPhone model and memory capacity, along with unlimited calls to all networks, unlimited SMS to all networks, and unlimited data. Enterprise Plan 8000 gives subscribers all the features of Plan 5000, plus the added feature of IDD and International SMS to all countries and all networks. On top of these premium offers, only Smart Infinity offers VIP network access, customizable mobile numbers, 24/7 International Concierge Service and a dedicated Infinity Management Officer*

iPhone upgrade for loyal subscribers
Smart subscribers who wish to upgrade to the new iPhone offers but are currently within an active contract may choose to wipeout their existing contract for a discounted fee, without the need to surrender their existing device. Up to 75% can be deducted from the applicable fee.

Qualified subscribers who will avail of the Wipe Out program will also receive free one-year device insurance with Smart Gadget Shield which covers loss, theft and accidental damage. They are also entitled to discounts on iPhone accessories from partner establishments. To check if your current Smart Postpaid account is qualified for Wipeout, text WIPEOUT to 2928. For more details on the WipeOut Program, go to www.smart.com.ph/wipeout.

Select Smart stores also offer device trade-in deals where subscribers can swap their old phones with iPhone vouchers. This offer is available at the Smart Store in Rockwell, Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA, Festival Mall and Jump Megamall.

For complete information on Smart’s complete suite of iPhone offers, please visit smart.com.ph/iPhone for Smart Postpaid and smart.com.ph/infinity for Smart Infinity.
*Available to Smart infinity prestige and premium plans.