VietNamNet Bridge - iPhone 7 has yet to be officially distributed in Vietnam, but private shops are selling the phone from unofficial channels. 

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have officially hit the shelves in some Asian countries and are being carried by travellers into Vietnam. 

One month ago, analysts predicted that the iPhone 7 via unofficial channels would be priced at VND25 million, iPhone 7 Plus at VND27 million, and iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black 256 GB up to VND50-60 million because of short supply. 

They correctly predicted that the first iPhone 7 would appear in Vietnam on September 16. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus appeared soon after they hit other Asian markets – Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The selling prices at shops, however, were different, but all have been decreasing. 

The first iPhone 7s were offered at VND35 million for 256 GB version. However, the price dropped rapidly because of supply.

iPhone 7 32 GB and 128 GB were quoted by Cellphones on September 16 at VND23.99 million and VND26.99 million, respectively, or VND1 million lower than the price levels it offered before.

iPhone 7 has yet to be officially distributed in Vietnam, but private shops are selling the phone from unofficial channels.

iPhone 7 256 GB, due to low demand, was offered at VND28.99 million, or VND2 million lower than the initially quoted price of VND30.99 million.

Meanwhile, iPhone 7 Jet Black sold for VND32.99 million for a 128GB version and VND34.99 million for 256 GB. 

Analysts believe that the products will flock to Vietnam, which will lead to big changes in prices.

The prices of iPhone 7 Plus are expected to be much higher than predicted levels because of the low supply. iPhone 7 Plus 128GB Jet Black prices have soared by VND6 million to VND39.99 million.

In the US, where iPhone selling prices are the lowest, iPhone 7 32 GB is sold at VND14 million ($649), while iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB is VND16.3 million ($749).

Tung, the owner of a privately run shop in Hanoi, said most iPhone 7s available in Vietnam were from Asian countries, including Singapore and Japan, and from the US. Dealers prefer iPhones from Singapore, where the selling price is higher but the shipping cost is lower.

“Singapore is an ideal place for private dealers because of easy entry procedures and cheaper air tickets,” he said.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus officially hit stores on September 16. Many Vietnamese are willing to pay $100/day to hire someone to line up for three nights at the iPhone 7 points of sale in Singapore to purchase the first iPhone 7 products.


Mai Nam