Viettel Offers iPhone 16e Lock Version in Vietnam: Save Over a Million Dong, Unlock to International Version After 12 Months

Viettel has reintroduced the network-locked iPhone model to the Vietnamese market through its iPhone 16e subsidy program. Customers purchasing the device with a Viettel 5G plan receive a discount of VND 4-4.5 million, bringing the price down to VND 12.49 million for the 128GB version and VND 15.49 million for the 256GB version.

Notably, this program is not limited to postpaid subscribers; it also includes various prepaid plans, offering users flexibility in choosing their preferred usage method. In addition to Viettel Store and Viettel Telecom, the program is also available at CellphoneS.

The accompanying plans primarily focus on the 5G150X, 5G180X, and 5G230X packages for prepaid subscribers (priced at VND 150,000-230,000 per month) and postpaid plans such as V160S, V180S, and N250 (VND 160,000-250,000 per month). Benefits generally include large daily 5G data allowances, free on-net call minutes within time limits, off-net minute discounts, and additional services like TV360. Viettel also offers special promotions for new subscribers.

Users must maintain their plan for 12 consecutive months; during this period, the device is locked to the Viettel network and can only be used with Viettel SIM cards (including dual SIMs). For international use, users need to register for a roaming package with Viettel.

After fulfilling the commitment, the device will automatically unlock and function as an international iPhone, compatible with all domestic and international carriers. To unlock, subscribers must maintain 12 months of continuous payment, keep their account active, and have no outstanding balances at the time of request. Viettel confirms that once the commitment period ends, the device will never be locked again. In exceptional cases, such as theft, fraudulent purchases, or severe payment defaults, the carrier reserves the right to refuse unlocking.

Viettel allows early unlocking but requires payment of the remaining commitment period. For example, with the 5G150X plan at VND 150,000 per month, if a user has used it for 7 months and wishes to unlock early, they must pay the equivalent of the remaining 5 months (5 x 150,000 = VND 750,000). In cases of theft, fraudulent purchases, or failure to comply with plan commitments, Viettel reserves the right to refuse unlocking.

The model of selling phones with bundled plan commitments (subsidy) is not new in Vietnam. As early as the iPhone 3GS era, VinaPhone and Viettel offered devices with contracts, but these attempts were unsuccessful as Vietnamese consumers were unfamiliar with the model. Viettel later tried again with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6, but these efforts also failed to gain significant traction.