Buying an iPhone overseas

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nobody

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#61587 19-May-2010 13:18

Hello Geeks!

I'm visiting Asia/the USA in the next couple of months and I'm thinking about buying an iPhone (can't bring myself to pay the hefty NZ prices).

Obviously I need to get one thats unlocked to use on Vodafone, any other pitfalls I should be aware of?

Has anyone done a similar thing? How did it work out for you?

Cheers

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#331847 19-May-2010 13:28

Buying in America means you're locked to the AT&T network and they only sell it on a 2 year contract.

Not sure about Asia, but your best bet is to buy directly from Apple in a country that sells them unlocked like Australia or New Zealand.

NZCoderGuy

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#331849 19-May-2010 13:36

gehenna: Buying in America means you're locked to the AT&T network and they only sell it on a 2 year contract.

Not sure about Asia, but your best bet is to buy directly from Apple in a country that sells them unlocked like Australia or New Zealand.

Not true, this only occurs if you purchase from an AT&T store. If you go to an Apple retailer they will sell you an iPhone outright without a 2 year contract. You just need to take it then to a repairer and get them to "unlock it".

My brother was over in San Francisco in April just been - and the Apple store staff told him a suitable repairer who would unlock the iPhone for ~$50USD ($60-70 NZD).

Its up to you though. AT&T won't and can't sell the iPhone outright.

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gehenna

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#331850 19-May-2010 13:39

The Apple Online Store FAQ says otherwise if you're buying directly from Apple: see here

NZCoderGuy

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#331853 19-May-2010 13:49

Yeah thats what i thought - but apparently its different in the actual store. Online has different rules..

just found some links to prove my post:

http://theappleblog.com/2010/03/23/apple-begins-offering-iphone-3g3gs-without-att-contract/

From above link - quote:
"The now aging 3G 8GB iPhone will cost you $499, while the 16GB 3GS lists at $599 and the 32GB 3GS sells for $699 without subsidy."

(in USD of course)

http://www.redmondpie.com/unlocked-iphone-in-us-apple-store-9140549/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/26/apple_stores_now_selling_iphone_3g_without_a_contract....

They are all basically saying, you can now purchase an iPhone in the states WITHOUT a contract. You have to pay the full rate for the phone, but thats standard anywhere these days.

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twitter/ NZCoderGuy / KiwiDevStudios

gehenna

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#331854 19-May-2010 13:51

Interesting, makes the whole push for Jailbreak Unlocks redundant in the US then, unless you buy subsidised on contract.

johnr

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#331855 19-May-2010 13:52

How many time has this question been asked on Geekzone?

10 approx?

John

nobody

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#331860 19-May-2010 14:04

Thanks for the replies

johnr: How many time has this question been asked on Geekzone?

10 approx?

John

Yeah but things change and there is obviously still some confusion (see above!)

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gehenna

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#331862 19-May-2010 14:09

johnr: How many time has this question been asked on Geekzone?

10 approx?

John

Not everyone has time to read every single post on here. I'm surprised you get any work done :)

johnr

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#331868 19-May-2010 14:25

gehenna:
johnr: How many time has this question been asked on Geekzone?

10 approx?

John

Not everyone has time to read every single post on here. ?I'm surprised you get any work done :)?

The other threads advise Vodafone NZ iphones are not SIM locked and they also advise the cheap price in the US is on a 2 year contract

John

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#331878 19-May-2010 14:45

I was under the impression that the iPhone was priced according to Apples policies and they would work out to be approx the same price the world over. More or Less.

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#331882 19-May-2010 14:57

johnr:

The other threads advise Vodafone NZ iphones are not SIM locked
John

I read the OP's post as mentioning unlocked so that s/he can use the phone on Vodafone (or any other carrier), not that s/he is saying that the Vodafone iPhones are SIM locked.

Brunzy

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#331887 19-May-2010 15:12

gtxboyracer:
gehenna: Buying in America means you're locked to the AT&T network and they only sell it on a 2 year contract.

Not sure about Asia, but your best bet is to buy directly from Apple in a country that sells them unlocked like Australia or New Zealand.

Not true, this only occurs if you purchase from an AT&T store. If you go to an Apple retailer they will sell you an iPhone outright without a 2 year contract. You just need to take it then to a repairer and get them to "unlock it".

My brother was over in San Francisco in April just been - and the Apple store staff told him a suitable repairer who would unlock the iPhone for ~$50USD ($60-70 NZD).

Its up to you though. AT&T won't and can't sell the iPhone outright.

Mostly true , but you need a US Social security No

PoLiGnAc

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#331894 19-May-2010 15:39

Well, buying oversea (US) is certainly cheaper, but you need to take into account the warranty, if your phone is faulty, will you fly all the way to US to get it fixed? Perhaps a better option would be to purchase one in Australia and get the network provider to unlock it? Remember iPhone do not have international warranty, unlike the rest of their products, so if anything happens, it's generally cheaper to fly to Aus than to US.

gehenna

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#331903 19-May-2010 16:02

PoLiGnAc: Well, buying oversea (US) is certainly cheaper, but you need to take into account the warranty, if your phone is faulty, will you fly all the way to US to get it fixed? Perhaps a better option would be to purchase one in Australia and get the network provider to unlock it? Remember iPhone do not have international warranty, unlike the rest of their products, so if anything happens, it's generally cheaper to fly to Aus than to US.

Purchase directly from apple aus, its already unlocked

nobody

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#331904 19-May-2010 16:02

gehenna:
johnr:

The other threads advise Vodafone NZ iphones are not SIM locked
John

I read the OP's post as mentioning unlocked so that s/he can use the phone on Vodafone (or any other carrier), not that s/he is saying that the Vodafone iPhones are SIM locked.

Yep, wanted to buy overseas and then use it on Vodafone or Telecom.

A 16GB iPhone 3GS is 440GBP on a pay as you go plan in the UK ($914), get it unlocked and chuck the SIM away.

The same phone is $1208 at Dick Smith

I heard you can get an unlocked one for $4999HKD in Hong Kong which is $932

Is it worth the hassle to save a couple of hundred bucks? Or do I buy one in NZ and get the warranty, or do pick up an HTC Android phone somewhere else. Gahhh, too many choices!

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