VietNamNet Bridge – Shortly after the new iPhone 5S and 5C went on sale in some foreign markets, many local stores have announced the prices of these smartphones, with the highest quoted at a whopping VND47 million (US$2,200).

For Vietnamese, iPhone 5C expensive, iPhone 5S has small screen

An unidentified man shows one of the first iPhones 5S imported into Vietnam with retail prices far higher than in other countries.

In HCMC, Mai Phu Phong, director of the PhoneGee store chain, said PhoneGee had bought four gold iPhones 5S 64GB whose price amounts to VND47 million apiece. These phones were ordered by customers and the gold version is quite rare and thus expensive.

PhoneGee will sell the 16GB and 32GB versions in black and white at VND20.9 million and VND22.9 million respectively.

Other retail stores specializing in iPhones like CellphoneS, HnamMobile, Muabaniphone.vn and thegioialo.vn have also announced prices of iPhone 5S and 5C.

Prices are different at different stores. At Muabaniphone.vn, an iPhone 5S 64GB sells for over VND25 million, iPhone 5S 16GB for VND20.88 million and iPhone 5C 16GB for VND14.38 million. Meanwhile, thegioialo.vn quotes iPhone 5S 64GB at VND23.99 million, iPhone 5S 16GB at VND19.99 million and iPhone 5S 32GB at VND21.99 million.

Stores said they had imported a couple of new iPhones for display and would import more when customers place orders.

Meanwhile, in Hanoi, CellphoneS at 19 Thai Ha Street imported the first iPhones 5S of the 32GB and 64GB versions from Singapore last Friday but their selling prices have not been announced.

Gia Vu Mobile at 16 Trung Hoa Street has also imported two iPhones 5C at around VND18 million each. The black and gold versions of iPhone 5S at Vkolor Shop at 117 Kham Thien Street come with a price tag of VND25-27 million.

ShopDunk.vn displayed an iPhone 5S Gold Champagne at 143 Thai Ha Street but has yet to announce its price. The respective prices of iPhone 5S 16GB, 32GB and 64GB might be VND21.99 million, VND25.99 million and VND29.99 million.

However, official iPhone distributors in Vietnam like VinaPhone, Viettel and FPT have yet to make a move.

Analysts said it would take at least two more months for iPhone 5S and 5C to be distributed officially on the domestic market.

According to Apple, an iPhone 5S in the U.S. costs US$199 with a two-year contract or US$649 without one. The respective prices for iPhone 5C are US$99 and US$549 depending on memory.

According to Apple, it will send new iPhones to 100 countries and territories via over 270 network providers late this year.

Source: SGT