Vodafone releases iPhone 5 pricing

Two plans for Apple's latest device.

Vodafone has announced pricing details for Apple’s newly-released iPhone 5, which despite its 4G capabilities will run on Vodafone’s 3G+ network.

Unlike its rivals and fellow iPhone 5 retailers Telstra, Optus and Virgin Mobile, Vodafone is yet to launch a 4G network. It yesterday announced the launch of its 3G+ (dual carrier HSPA+) services in areas in major cities across Australia - the network the iPhone 5 will run on.

Vodafone is offering the three 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations of the iPhone 5, ranging from $30 p/m (plus $18, $22.50 and $27 handset repayments respectively) up to $100 p/m with no handset fee. For the full list of pricing see below.

The smartphone is available for pre order from Vodafone’s website at midnight and in store from 5pm today.

The iPhone 5, launched yesterday, is the first Apple device to launch with 4G capability compatible with Australia’s 4G networks. 

The smartphone had been widely expected to launch with 4G capability compatible with the 700MHz spectrum adopted by the US’ major carriers AT&T and Verizon. Apple yesterday announced the iPhone 5 would also be compatible with the Australian 1800 MHz spectrum.

Vodafone’s $1.7billion upgrade to its network means areas across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and Newcastle have been activated with Vodafone’s new 3G+ services, which the telco says offers data speeds eight times faster than its 3G network, from 2 to 19Mbps.

Vodafone yesterday said its base station sites were now equipped with 4G-ready network technology. Its 4G network is not due to come online until next year.