24 September 2010

iPhone 4 in Malaysia: Maxis or DiGi?

There has been some hype about iPhone 4 since Maxis announced its launch recently. Not to lose out, DiGi announced its packages claiming to give users more.
 
So, which is better? At a glance, DiGi's RM58 per month package outrightly beats Maxis's RM100 per month package. However, before we jump into any conclusion, we should look into the finer details of each package.
 
Here, we will compare the cheapest packages from both telco and assume a 24 month contract.

DiGi

Maxis

Diff

Phone price 2,090.00 1,390.00 700.00
Monthly package 58.00 100.00 -42.00
x 24 months 1,461.60 2,520.00 -1,058.40
Total (phone + package) 3,551.60 3,910.00 -358.40
Divide by 24 months,
so every month you pay: 147.98 162.92 -14.93
 
 
While DiGi's monthly fees are much cheaper at RM58 vis-a-vis Maxis's at RM100, the overall net effect is that you only pay RM14.93 more if you use Maxis. This is mainly because the phone subsidy Maxis offers is far higher than DiGi. However, there are still other points to consider:
  • With Maxis, you pay RM14.93 more. However, in the call package, DiGi only offers 200 minutes, while Maxis offers 333 minutes. The extra 133 minutes will cost you RM19.95 (133 mins x 15 sen).
  • Maxis's free 200 SMS is to Maxis number only.
  • DiGi does not charge for data usage above 1Gb.
  • DiGi requires 24 months of prepayment; Maxis requires 4 months only.

So what does all these mean to you? Too many factors to compare? Well, here are some point to help you decide:

  • If you are a heavy user in terms of calls, Maxis might be cheaper. Check your existing phone bill, if your total domestic call charges are more than RM30, then you are calling more than the free 200 minutes offered by DiGi. If your call charges are about RM45, there is no difference between the two. But if your call charges are more than RM45, Maxis is probably cheaper for you.
  • If you sms mostly to non-Maxis number, DiGi might be more suitable. If you sms mostly to Maxis numbers then there's no difference. But if you are a hardcore SMSer (you know what I mean), Maxis offers you additional 500 SMS at RM8 per month (but to Maxis numbers only).
  • If you expect your data usage to exceed 1Gb per month, then DiGi is cheaper. However, users of Maxis under the iPhone 3Gs package are given only 500Mb data and feedback is that it is more than sufficient.
  • If your credit card limit is small, DiGi will reduce your limit significantly because it charges the whole 24 months of monthly fees upfront. Maxis only charges RM400 upfront.
Weigh each factor carefully and make the right choice! Having said all these, the number 1 criteria should be the reception quality at your workplace and home. No point in getting it cheaper only to find that you can't use it! In conclusion, be penny wise, pound wiser!