Update: Click here to know where to buy factory unlocked iPhone 4 for cheap price
If you are in US, India, UK and other countries, when you buy an iPhone, Apple ties up the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS you are buying to a local telecom provider. But when you buy iPhone 3G through the Hong Kong Online Apple Store, you can officially and legally get a Factory unlocked iphone which you can use with any operator. Yeah, right! “ANY” operator.
iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS and connect to iTunes 8.2 to complete activation.
Because they’ve been unlocked at the factory, these iPhones can always be updated and they’re covered under standard Apple warranties.
This is because, in countries like Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia, it is illegal for Cell phone companies to mandate their customers to have a contract with any ONE service provider. So, if you ever touch down at Hong Kong airport or Australia or New Zealand for a holiday or business trip, don’t forget to grab a Factory unlocked iPhone 3GS from the local Apple Online Store.
The prices are not bad either. A 16GB legally unlocked iPhone 3GS will cost you around HK$ 5,388 i.e USD 695 (or 487 Euro), while a 32GB version would cost HK$ 6,288 i.e USD 812 (or 567 Euro).
Beside HK, I found that iPhone 3GS sold in NZ and Australia are also pretty cheap.
iPhone 3GS 16 GB:
New Zealand 1,150.00 NZD = 552.033 EUR = 788.202 USD
Australia 879.00 AUD, 491.287 EUR, 684.991 USD
iPhone 3GS 32 GB:
New Zealand 1,349.00 NZD, 920.172 USD, 647.422 EUR
Australia 1,040.00 AUD, 810.469 USD, 581.121 EUR
Visit the Apple online stores – New Zealand, Australia , Hong Kong
iphone 4 comming 199$ 16gb 299$ 32gb
@Naeem
with AT&T 2-year contract
I’m traveling to New Zealand for holidays in July 2010 and wanted to purchase Iphone 4G. I just read that Apple will release it in New Zealand soon. Will it be unlocked and can it be used in UAE.
I have an earlier 3G Iphone purchased without any service warranty and currenty is having hardware problems.
@Steve,
In all possibilities NZ will get iPhone 4 (its not called 4G!) in July 2010. And I believe countries like NZ, AUS and HK will get the factory unlocked versions. I will confirm that when it happens
Hi,
I wanted to know wheather I can purchase factory unlocked i phone 3gs / i phone 4 (after its arrival) in Singapore. It is for use in India. If yes, how and at what average price?
Please give advice
Thanks,
Chaan
Hi Raju
I have someone from my office visiting NY this week. I have few questions & would appreciate your early reply – Thanks
1. Can we get factory unclocked i phone 4 64gb , if so for how much & what will be best place to buy in NY, USA.
2. If Iphone 4 is not available i would like to go for factory unlocked 64gb 3gs- if so for how much & what will be best place to buy in NY, USA.
@Vipin,
I am afraid I can be of any help for either of your questions
1) Factory unlocked iPhone 4 is not announced officially and unofficial news are nothing more than pure rumors.
2) iPhone 4 release date is June 24th which is couple of weeks away. Factory unlocked iPhone 3GS comes with 16GB and 32GB only. I am not sure about the best place to buy in NY.
Hi Raju,
If you could give me an advice on tha above, that would be helpful,
Thanks,
Hi Raju,
I meant my question on june 11th
@chaan,
Singapore will most probably get the factory unlocked iPhone 4 through SingTel, but price is still a mystery. Wait for a week or 2.
Dear Raju
Thanks for your reply.
So if someone wants to get I phone 3gs from USA can they simply buy from any store & get it to india & get the software breaked in India.
Is it available as prepaid connection also in USA.
Thanks Raju
Hi Raju,
Thanks for all the information. I have following queries.
1) My colleague in USA (who is US citizen) is getting iphone 3 GS 16 GB for $125 with AT&T contract. If I pay pre-mature termination then will that phone work anywhere in world?
2) You said above that some version of iphone is unlockable, is that 3 G and available in market?
3) How can we make sure that the iphone is properly unlocked?
4) I want to get it from US, what’s the best option I can have?
Requesting your help. Thanks in advance.
Vipul:
You totally missed the point of this thread.
The guys above said buy an iphone WITHOUT any contract.!!
You paying 125 and you still need to signed up a contract from the provide. Which is end up way more dollar just buying the iphone from HK or NZ.
The iphone is offically unlocked by Apple as well and you can do updates directly from apple site. But the iphone you pay 125 will need after market unlock which is not able to update later.
YOU NEED TO READ CAREFULL !!
Marlborox
Hey Raju,
Can you please answer my queries mentioned above?
Thanks,
Vipul
Hi Raju,
My colleagues are visiting to US,UK , HKG,SIngapore this week for a month.I need to buy a Iphone ( 2g/3g/3gs/4g) .Please suggest the cheaper option .I need to use Iphone in India.
Cheers,
Sandy
[ph no edited]
hey man,
friendly request,
1. could you repost the current cost of 1phone 4 and 3gs! since its been a will so.
2. and if the cost is still same whats the point in buying it,
since,
iphone 3gs 32gig come’s 810$ u.s.d (as per the above mentioned rates)
hence,
converting 810$ USD to indian rupee cost’s 37,500 as of 27/jun/2010(my home place).
so the locked is available at airtel for 40 Grand(40,000 rs.).There max about 3k difference.
so plz correct me if i am wrong or plz repost the cost rating’s.
Thankx and regards,
bala AKA Baron.
hii raju
Is thr any way of breaking AT&T contract? I am going to US next week.& i will return in 15 days. so is thr any way to get iphone at $199 or $299?
Okay we’re almost a month into the iPhone 4′s launch (in US, UK, Japan, Germany, France)
UK and Canada are on board to sell them unlocked
US is offering a $600 no-contract/still locked to AT&T anti-deal
So, which country are Americans going to buy there unlocked iPhone 4′s cheapest? Hong Kong or Canada?
Buy only unlocked iPhones. That will help you to update software upgardes from Apple. Thats true we can jailbreak and use iPhone as unlocked phone. But with the next update again your iPhone will get locked. So i recommend to buy only factory unlocked iPhones. There are many online portals selling “factory unlocked ” iphones
Hope this helps!!
Expert iPhone user: iphone 2g,3g,3gs and now iPhone 4
Cheers,
Kiran
Hello,
Can you help in providing info about,getting i-phone 3gs / i-phone4 from Hongkong lowest price and can use it in Thailand with any network[UNLOCK]
Thank you
Khun Ar
@Khun Ar,
You can buy iPhone 3GS from Apple store in HK. Ask for factory unlocked model when buying. iPhone 4 will be released this month in HK
Hi Raju,
Do you have any information whether BSNL 3G is compatible with I phone 4? I am planning to get an unlocked i pone ,
Thanks
Raju: yes Bsnl wil work on iphone 4. However u need to cut sim card bcoz iphone 4 accept micro sim card. Buy factory unlocked phone from UK
yes, that’s right. But we have already discussed that – http://techpp.com/2010/06/09/how-to-use-normal-sim-as-microsim-in-iphone-4/
I am after an Apple iphone that will work here in australia that is around the $150 price range?
Hello all,
I do not know whether the doubt which i have has been answered already. If so please direct me to the right thread. Else please help. So here goes my doubt..
Iam planning on gettin the iphone 4 at singapore. My friend stays there. I ll be needing 2 Iphones. Once my friend ships it, will he be able to send it through courier without paying duty or customs? I am worried cause if I am charged customs or duty ill be payin a lotta money. I do not know where to ask or whom to ask. So if anyone knows bout this please help!!
Thanks in advance
Cheers
Madhu
@Madhusudhan,
You better get it confirmed from the courier service provider you are planning to use. When I inquired about shipping iPad from HK via FedEx, they quoted around 6k (assuming 2kg package) which included customs/tax. So, if you are in India, call FedEx/DHL and inquire directly. Do update us if you get to know anything