Optus this morning confirmed plans to launch Apple’s latest iPhone 4 handset at midnight launches around the country on Thursday night, despite Apple itself publicising plans to open its stores from 8AM Friday morning.

An Optus spokesperson said the telco had emailed its customers (see invitation above) that it would be holding midnight launch events for the iPhone 4 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and — for the first time — Perth.

“We’re celebrating the arrival of the new Apple iPhone 4 with fantastic VIP launch events,” Optus said in its email to customers. “Selected stores will be opening from MIDNIGHT on 29 July 2010 (we do mean 11:59PM plus 1 minute on Thursday) for your chance to get your hands on the new Apple iPhone 4 before everyone else.”

“Plus there’ll be entertainment, giveaways and much more. This is one party you won’t want to miss.”

The confirmation comes a week after The Next Web reported Optus would hold a midnight launch, but until this morning none of Australia’s telcos had confirmed they would do so. Neither Apple itself nor any Australian telco has yet confirmed pricing details for the iPhone 4 launch in Australia.

Apple’s site currently states that customers buying an iPhone on Friday from its own stores will be limited to two devices per person – with the handsets to be available on a “first come, first-served” basis. Typically iPhones will be sold from both official Apple stores as well as the telco’s own retail outlets.

While the iPad went on sale at 8AM in the morning and coincided with the launch of Apple’s new store in Bondi Junction, Sydney, iPhone models have typically gone on sale at midnight on the launch day — so Thursday night for a Friday launch.

Image credit: Sources

Related posts:

1. No Australian midnight launch for iPhone 4?
2. Finally, Optus confirms iPhone 4 launch
3. Who will host an iPhone 4 launch party?
4. Virgin confirms iPhone 4 launch
5. Sydney iPhone 4 launch: Photos by Optus

1. Ollie
   Posted 26/07/2010 at 11:19 am | Permalink | Reply

   the link is dead

2. Justin
   Posted 26/07/2010 at 12:40 pm | Permalink | Reply

   They emailed everyone and the website has been down all day. Now that is pathetic marketing.

3. Josh
   Posted 26/07/2010 at 2:27 pm | Permalink | Reply

   Website down on my PC- tried on my Mac- It works :-) Just registered…

4. Erol
   Posted 26/07/2010 at 4:15 pm | Permalink | Reply

   ive registerd my interest ages ago is that the same thing?
   i havent gotten this email
   i got the micro sim 2 in 1 but not this

5. Matt
   Posted 27/07/2010 at 10:46 am | Permalink | Reply

   I rang Optus and found them to be very helpful, even got a phone call at 8pm last night from them saying they were taking my call as confirmation of interest and that they would continue to follow up my inquiries about the iPhone 4 release.