Brits are limited to O2, Americans make do with AT&T, but the lucky iPhone owners in Hong Kong can now use their 3G handset on any network they like thanks to legally unlocked phones being sold by Apple!
Available direct from Apple’s online store, the unlocked iPhone 3G could put the cat amongst the pigeons, since almost every other country has to either hack their handset, or toe Apple’s line and go with a specific operator.
However, it’s not quite what it seems. Apparently, Chinese owners must install the SIM of their choice before syncing to iTunes. After that, the phone is locked to that carrier. Curiouser and curiouser.
Still, the handsets are on sale now for the equivalent of £376 for the 8GB version and £431 for the 16GB model.
Out now | From £376 | Apple Hong Hong
Hi from Hong Kong. I’m originally from UK, & pop back & forth a bit – just got back from 3½ weeks in London & Devon.
1) – Syncing to iTunes does NOT lock the phone to any carrier – I’ve successfully used mine with the original “3 HK” SIM, those of 2 mates on other networks & a UK SIM card.
2) – All iPhones in HK have been unlocked since launch day (July 11th) but originally you had to sign up for a 24 month contract. Now no contract is needed (but of course the phone costs more).
My 16 GB iPhone was HK$3,738 (about £270 at 1st. Oct ‘08 exchange rate) with a 2 year contract for HK$160 a month (about £11.50) including an extra SMS package and unlimited free wifi, caller number display, call waiting, call forward bundle, conference call, call barring, voice mail, roaming default call forward & call forward minute package etc. etc. & 500MB/month data transfer.
So far so good…
Excellent news! So anyone wanting an unlocked iPhone just needs to order it from Hong Kong, then slip in their UK SIM? Marvelous.
Right. What’s the cheapest way to get to Hong Kong and back in a day?
bullshit you can only order if you have a hong kong address so us in britain cannot order the iphone 3gs from there get it !!!!