If you are in US, India, UK and other countries, when you buy an iPhone, Apple ties up the iPhone 4 device you are buying to a local telecom provider like AT&T, Vodafone, O2 or Airtel. The service providers in turn subsidize the price of iPhone 4 by more than half of its actual price. But in turn forcing you to sign a contract (usually 2 years) to use their voice and data plans.
But in few countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NewZealand etc, due to government policies and restrictions, Apple is forced to sell factory unlocked iPhone 4. These factory unlocked iPhones are nothing but legally unlocked iPhones which are NOT tied to any one service provider as in US and UK. You are free to use these factory unlocked iPhone 4 devices with any cellular service provider ANYWHERE in the world, without voiding your Apple warranty.
Update: Buy Factory Unlocked iPhone 4S for Cheap
Buy Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 for Cheap
We had earlier written a guide on where to buy unlocked iPhone 3G/3GS for cheap price. There we had mentioned how and why buying legally unlocked iPhones in Hong Kong Apple store is the best and saves you money as well.
iPhone 4 purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 4 and connect to iTunes to complete activation.
As I mentioned earlier, since 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 4 from the local Apple Online Store.
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 Prices
The prices of factory unlocked iPhone 4 haven’t been announced yet by Apple. At the time of writing this post, Apple has announced iPhone 4 for five countries alone, and none of them have factory unlocked iPhone 4. Apple is expected to announce iPhone 4 in 55 more countries in July 2010 which might include countries like Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium etc which will definitely get legally unlocked iPhone 4 versions.
If we go by the prices of iPhone 4 in US, which are exactly same as those for iPhone 3GS models (whose prices were reduced after the launch of iPhone 4), we expect the cost of factory unlocked iPhone 4 in Hong Kong to be-
iPhone 4 – 16GB (factory unlocked): HK$ 5,388 i.e USD 695 (or 570 Euro) *approx*
iPhone 4 – 32GB (factory unlocked): HK$ 6,288 i.e USD 812 (or 667 Euro) *approx*
Beside HK, Apple stores in NZ and Australia might also get iPhone 4 but at not-so-cheap prices, as the service providers are only authorized to unlocked iPhone 4. The approximate expected prices of iPhone 4 are
iPhone 4 16 GB (factory unlocked):
New Zealand 1,150.00 NZD = 655.033 EUR = 791 USD
Australia 879.00 AUD, 617.287 EUR, 746.991 USD
iPhone 4 32 GB (factory unlocked):
New Zealand 1,349.00 NZD, 928.172 USD, 768.422 EUR
Australia 1,040.00 AUD, 882.469 USD, 730.121 EUR
Keep a tab on this post for updates as and when official prices of iPhone 4 factory unlocked versions are announced.
Update 1: Surprise!! surprise!! Apple has announced unlocked iPhone 4 in UK, France and Canada at not so pleasing prices
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 16GB in UK – £499
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 32GB in UK – £599
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 16GB in France – €629
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 32GB in France – €739
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 16GB in Canada – $649
Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 32GB in Canada – $749
Raju PP is the founder-editor of Technically Personal. He holds an Engineering degree in Electronics & Communication, and has previously worked as a Technical Specialist in Banking Software domain.
replt me raju
hello bro. i am mayur from rajasthan…..i want to purchase iphone4 16 gb factoryunlocked legally from singapore…..so in singapore it will be factory unlocked legal availble??? if i got from singapore so it will work in india without any prob.???
and i heard that video calling and bluetooth transfer FTP to other brand like nokia dell will not be work??? or else in unlocked legally have this feture i m jst confusing so plz help me out soon……i dnt wanna to jailbreak it
if you can ensure that the iPhone 4 you are buying in Singapore is really factory unlocked, it will work in India without any hassles whatsoever!
As for your second question, yes, video calling and bluetooth transfer won’t work with non-apple gadgets (even if you jailbreak it, they won’t work)
Yes it’s available in Singapore, it’s unlocked. You can get in Singapore Apple store itself, before it was S$748.00 (S’pore $)
Hello raju
Can i buy iphone 4 unlock in US and use in Cambodia? Will it work properly?
Is there a legal Iphone dealer in Cambodia?
Have a Trip to Singapore,Guys…wake up. Go apple.com.sg – they sell only S$888 for (16GB),S$1048.00 for (32GB),why would u guys want to buy it from others,But Order wait 24 HRS (normally taken 2 days to deliver,(Need Local credit card & local address)I Don’t have all that,I am a tourist & stay hotel ,I stay s’pore 2 days, I seen selling at Famous shopping mall in singapore Mustafa centre iPhone 4 16GB S$915.00,32GB S$1090.00 included 7% GST,Like me Tourist they give GST application form, I get back 7% GST back 16GB S$64.00,32GB S$76.00 so my price get it 16GB S$850.00 (INR30,600), 32GB S$1013.00 (INR40,100), Bought from apple store singapore,How to get 7%GST back,GST Application Form and all where to get it?,So Purchase from Apple store much more price i need to pay?,why would u guys want to buy it from others?
Hey, Is there availabality for Iphone4 White? ? ? I ll be there in Singapore only for 4 days. Can i book it from india itself, B4 I go? ? Please reply……
raju- where can i buy an iphone 4 unlocked in USA pl reply ASAP
No legal and reliable places that I know of. eBay is an option, but doesn’t qualify I guess.
hi raju
i want buy unlocked i-phone4 what is the price in USA
Hi,
Im offered a factory ulocked iphone4 16GB for 599euro? Is that a ok price or can I get them cheaper i Singapore or HK?
Hi All
I got my no contract iphone in white yesterday and it comes locked with at&t. but not many people knowif they buy a new no contract iphone from applestore which is locked to at&t they also get a micro sim in the phone. so I just bought it home called up my go phone customer service and asked them to transfer my current Go phone number from the other sim to the micro sim. they did that and bang!! my phone was activated though still locked for at&t but whitout the hassle of buying a micro sim or for that matter cutting down the normal sim.
Also to let everyone know At&t stores do sell the GO phone micro sim but thye cost a whopping $30.
so dont wait go out and get your iphone:)
Hey I live in Belarus,my sister is planing to send me iphone from US.Will it work here???
Please i want to buy this HTC HD7phone, but confuse,Raju can you advice if it is good compare to i phone 4? thanks ,Francis.
hi raju ,
i am planning of going to usa for an tour, during that time i am planning of buying an iphone 4 over there , will they provide us the phone within contract ? , and also i would like to know if we buy the phone within contract at USA and next day itself if we transfer that device to india , how the network is gonna charge monthly for the plan that we subscribed ?
wonder how much does it cost to buy an iphone4 in india , and how good is the demand for it
I purchased one I Phone-4 from Japan last 2 month ,but we can not run the phone. I want to factory unlock my I phone. How can help you ?( Soft Bank Japan) Version-4.2.1-32 GB
“Factory unlock” refers to iPhones which are not locked when released. You still have a chance to unlock, but that will void your warranty. Search for related articles on this website.
Sorry , anotherthing is , i use in Bangladesh.( I phone-4, 32 GB,4.2.10
i want to buy an iphone from usa and wanna use in india …
will any body jailbreak it n how much is cost n where it got break in delhi
Unlocked iPhone 4 are available in US now!
Hie i got uk i4 version 4.2.1 with lock.how to work in india with out any prblm.when the official lock comes?plzzzzz Tel me
Hi Raju,
I want to buy an unlocked iPhone 4 from the US to use in the UK. What do these retail at now a days? Is it worth waiting for the iPhone 5?
Thanks, Raj
hello can anyone tell me the currennt price of iphone 4 in USA? i want to get it and use in india (kolkata). i want to know what pointss should i keep in mind while ordering for one coz i have to mention the requirements to one of my relatives there..
waiting for ur reply….
why do you want to order it from US, now that it is available in India only
hi! I’ve lately got a lot of special offers about iphone 4 and ipads from Shenzhen based companies in China. they are priced at incrediblely low levels. if the clones iphone4 comes with dual sim cards , doesn’t it mean they can’t compare to those factory unlocked iphone4s at all? I bought some other chinese versions ipone4 in a local market in china, the wifi-feature doesn’t work at all. also they camera resolution is too low. the quality is very vague. does this mean those products are junk? not worthy trying? I’m geting to the point that purchsing some iphones and ipads at a wholesale level. thanks
i want to buy unlock iphone 4 from USA and use it in India so is it possible and what would be the approx price of 16 gb inclusive all taxes.
Why not try India ?
Hi guys I got an iPhone 4 frm Singapore thru one of my frenz which I suppose is factory unlocked and registered online with my name.I had an issue wit ma speakr wen I called apple india call Centre thy r askin me to ship product to Singapore which is really ridiculous.moreover I have warranty till aug ’12.is there any solution to this problem.?unlike apple pl suggest sme feasible solution.
Can u tell me where in the us i can buy a iphone 4 for cheap price?
hello, i want to buy a i phone 4(white) 16 gb, factory unlocked, from where did i wil get it in best price ????
there is a contract based apple i 4 in 250 usd can i use it in india by unlocking it.
is there any leagel problem if it will unlock.
please reply soooooooooooon
it’s urgent
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee
unlocking isn’t illegal, it just voids the warranty.
hi raju
i claimed an ifone4g white from uk from vodafone contract and is it possible for me to use in india after unlocking my fone…is it possible for the apple to block my ifone when i use in india and download anything through itunes…..
With the iPhone 5 nearing the horizon, the price of the iphone4 is surely to come down very soon.
can i buy and use it in Ghana
Hope you guys come with an useful article like this to buy iPhone 5 for cheap
can i get a low price i phone 4, at australia.
Those prices are NOT cheap in fact they are higher than local unlocked.