[thechungster]

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?

 

[DeusEx]

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.

 

[MartinJ]

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

 

[thechungster]

Thanks for the info

 

[milkpowder]

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.

 

[Al4x]

if i had that option i wouldve done that, was considering an import, but customs risk was too high

 

[cyberspyder]

iPhones are more expensive there.......

 

[thechungster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberspyder /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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)

 

[Al4x]

the uk price is disgusting really

 

[cyberspyder]

I guess from a UK standard they're cheap, but from elsewhere, not so good.

 

[thechungster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberspyder /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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?

 

[cyberspyder]

Unlocked iPhone 3GS | Unlocked Phones For Sale

 

[Al4x]

if you get stung by customs you will end up with a product more expensive than in the UK :0

 

[cyberspyder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al4x /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.

 

[Al4x]

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!