The Hanoitimes -   Mobile service providers must import nearly o­ne thousand iPhone 3GS to meet high demand while waiting for iPhone 4, which will be launched o­n September 28.

Hong, 40, in Hanoi, has decided to purchase an iPhone 3GS after many days of wavering between iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. Hong thinks that iPhone 3GS has a beautiful design suitable for women, while the functions are nearly the same as that of iPhone 4. Now the mobile phone shop near her house has run out of iPhone 3GS. She was told that o­nly an old iPhone 3GS, 16GB, white, is available, which sells for 11.5 million dong.

“I have to purchase a brand new product, or I will not purchase anything. Moreover, the product I intend to buy is iPhone 3GS 32GB,” she added.

However, Hong still cannot purchase it, even after checking many other shops.

Nhat Cuong Mobile Shop has also announced o­n its website it has no more brand new iPhone 3GS 16 GB and 32 GB. Now the shop o­nly has brand new black iPhone 3 GS 8GB priced at 12.8 million dong and old iPhone 3GS 8GB, priced at 10.5 million dong. As for 3 GS 16GB and 32GB, Nhat Cuong Mobile now o­nly has used white products, priced at 11.5-12.5 million dong.

According to the owner of a shop specialising in Apple products, there are four reasons for iPhone 3GS scarcity. First, a lot of people have run out of patience and do not want to wait for iPhone4, so they have decided to purchase iPhone 3.

Second, a lot of people think that the prices of iPhone 4 will be high, without having any outstanding features.

Third, the design of iPhone 4 is described as “manly” and not really attractive to women. Besides, Apple is also not selling iPhone 3GS globally, which has created a short supply o­n the black market.

iPhone 3GS are not o­nly scarce o­n the black market, but two telecom companies, VinaPhone and Viettel have also announced that the demand for iPhone 3GS has increased dramatically. Though the two companies imported an additional 5000 iPhone 3GS, retail shops have asked for even more.

A VinaPhone source revealed that 1000 iPhone 3GS were imported by the company late last week, while ½ has been sold already. Vinaphone declined to say if it will continue importing iPhone 3GS.

Meanwhile, Viettel has imported 14,700 iPhones, but some shops in Hanoi and HCM City still do not have products to sell. The telecom company has revealed that it is planning to import more iPhone 3GS while waiting for iPhone 4.

In the latest news, VinaPhone and Viettel are taking final steps to launch iPhone 4, slated for September 28.

VnExpress quoted its sources as saying that at first, Apple decided that iPhone 4 would be launched o­n September 23, but then the date was delayed to September 28. Meanwhile, the official release day has not been announced by the two distributors. The companies are taking necessary steps for the product launch, including setting up prices and associated service packages.

The prices of iPhone 4 have not been revealed, but telecom companies say they will not be much higher than iPhone 3 and will be lower than products made available o­n the market by travelers to Vietnam.

VinaPhone added that the volume of iPhone 4 imports will be limited, and that those who want to purchase iPhone 4 must register o­n the company’s website.