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Buying an iPhone 3GS from HK instead of the UK?

post #1 of 20
8/28/09 at 3:14pm
Thread Starter 
So I might be going to HK for 10 days during Christmas time and I might purchase an iPhone 3GS. Now I just have a couple of questions that I am unsure about, but I hope some of you headfiers have the answers.

1) When I buy one there, they are already unlocked by law (to my knowledge). I've heard that once you put in your SIM, it automatically locks onto that SIM carrier. Is this true?

2) Would the 3G in the phone still work?

Edit: If anyone lives in Hong Kong, can I confirm that you can buy them from Fortress and are they already unlocked? Also do Broadway have iPhones for sale?
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post #2 of 20
8/28/09 at 3:28pm
Don't know here, got mine in the US (since I live here lol). But since they sell unlocked ones here for over $400, I assume that once you slide in a SIM card, then you're good to go...

3G should be a universal network.
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post #3 of 20
8/29/09 at 8:02pm
The iPhone 3GS has the same specs world wide. You can buy an unlocked phone in HK. Apple lists several retailers.
1
Should be. You can change settings on phones to lock to certain carriers or exclude certain carriers.

2
Yes
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post #4 of 20
8/30/09 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info
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post #5 of 20
9/2/09 at 10:09pm
I was under the impression that Apple HK do not lock their iPhones, even when purchased with a plan. That was the case when I got my 3G so I expect it to be the same for 3G S. It works just fine in the UK as I use one on Vodafone.
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post #6 of 20
9/3/09 at 6:37am
if i had that option i wouldve done that, was considering an import, but customs risk was too high
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post #7 of 20
9/6/09 at 2:07am
iPhones are more expensive there.......
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post #8 of 20
9/6/09 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberspyder View Post
iPhones are more expensive there.......
No they're not...


UK:
iPhone 3GS 16GB - £440.40
iPhone 3GS 32GB - £538.30

HK:
iPhone 3GS 16GB - HK$ 5,388 (£424 @Current exchange rate of £1-HK$ 12.7)
iPhone 3GS 32GB - HK$ 6,288 (£495)
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post #9 of 20
9/6/09 at 4:07pm
the uk price is disgusting really
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post #10 of 20
9/7/09 at 1:06am
I guess from a UK standard they're cheap, but from elsewhere, not so good.
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post #11 of 20
9/7/09 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberspyder View Post
I guess from a UK standard they're cheap, but from elsewhere, not so good.
How much is it on PAYG from the US then? Do they even do PAYG as an option?
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post #12 of 20
9/7/09 at 3:47pm
Unlocked iPhone 3GS | Unlocked Phones For Sale
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post #13 of 20
9/7/09 at 5:55pm
if you get stung by customs you will end up with a product more expensive than in the UK :0
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post #14 of 20
9/7/09 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al4x View Post
if you get stung by customs you will end up with a product more expensive than in the UK :0
That's true...I guess what I'm trying to say is that from a North American standpoint, some things like iPhones are *not* necessarily cheaper in HK than NA...especially with the flight back and forth, but for someone in the UK, it probably is. That's all.
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post #15 of 20
9/7/09 at 6:05pm
uk sucks! VAT if you buy it in the uk, the only way to get a good deal is going abroad, then you loose warrenty :/ not much is cheaper over here, especially not US products and oil!

i had to decide on another phone cause of the horendous contracts and rip off prices!
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