can you buy an iphone 4 from america to use in nz?

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bassline

29 posts

Geek

Topic # 67643 5-Sep-2010 14:48

ive been told that its 100% do-able now since the whole jailbreaking thing..
can anyone confirm? you can buy them outright for about $750nz

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497 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 376894 5-Sep-2010 15:06

bassline: ive been told that its 100% do-able now since the whole jailbreaking thing..
can anyone confirm? you can buy them outright for about $750nz

Jailbreaking isn't unlocking, they are two different things. I don't think it's possible to unlock an iphone4 yet but I could be wrong. Even if this was possible I think you'd find the price would be closer to NZ$920 for the 16GB from USA.

Personally I'd pay the extra to know my iPhone was unlocked from the start as it's a lot of money to lose if something goes wrong.

There are plenty of countries you can buy the iPhone from unlocked (NZ included) so is it really worth the hassle of unofficially unlocking and the associated possible pitfalls?

bassline

29 posts

Geek

Reply # 376896 5-Sep-2010 15:16

a friend of mine was in the apple us store last week and asked if it could be used in nz and the staff member asked his supervisor who said that all store bought phones are now fully comp[atible with nz and aussie...

just doesnt sound right though

Teeps

497 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 19

Reply # 376901 5-Sep-2010 15:22

bassline: a friend of mine was in the apple us store last week and asked if it could be used in nz and the staff member asked his supervisor who said that all store bought phones are now fully comp[atible with nz and aussie...

just doesnt sound right though

Compatible with the Aussie & NZ networks yes, but they are still locked to AT&T

Teeps

497 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 19

Reply # 376903 5-Sep-2010 15:24

If you really want to save some cash the cheapest place to buy an iPhone 4 is Hong Kong, cheaper than USA and unlocked as standard.

HK$4988 for 16GB which is approx NZ$891

HK$5888 for 32GB which is approx NZ$1051

bassline

29 posts

Geek

Reply # 379019 12-Sep-2010 14:25

thanks for the misinformation guys..i had a friend buy one in the states from the apple store out of contract as you dont have to sign with an american cellphone provider and now he has it working here. i chose not to buy one due to what ppl said in this thread.

Teeps

497 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 379026 12-Sep-2010 14:42

No misinformation at all, just good true advice. You asked a question and we all gave our opinions so don't be pissed with us because you feel you missed out. I still stand by what I said, I wouldn't buy an iPhone locked to AT&T just to save a few bucks as you never know what happens next, as you obviously feel that risk is worth taking why didn't you just go for it and not ask the question!?

vinnieg

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Reply # 379030 12-Sep-2010 14:53

bassline: thanks for the misinformation guys..i had a friend buy one in the states from the apple store out of contract as you dont have to sign with an american cellphone provider and now he has it working here. i chose not to buy one due to what ppl said in this thread.

Doubt your friend got it from Apple in the US, Canada maybe, but the Apple ones are still locked to the AT&T network, meaning if you are over here on XT, it'll be running on global roaming mode...unless he's jailbroken it and unlocked it

" SIM free iPhone 4's are only available directly from Apple in; Canada, France, and the United Kingdom as of the devices initial release "

A quick google search no "iPhone 4 unlocked in US" would have given you all the info you needed a few weeks ago.

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

freitasm

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Reply # 379032 12-Sep-2010 14:57

bassline: thanks for the misinformation guys..i had a friend buy one in the states from the apple store out of contract as you dont have to sign with an american cellphone provider and now he has it working here. i chose not to buy one due to what ppl said in this thread.

All iPhone (any model) sold in the US are locked to AT&T.

All iPhone (from 3G and up) were always compatible with New Zealand networks.

You still need to unlock an iPhone you buy in the U.S. to use here in New Zealand.

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Teeps

497 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 19

Reply # 379035 12-Sep-2010 15:03

This is a great source of info on iPhone 4 price comparisons from the countries you can buy it from unlocked.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/choreographics/4836719813/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Lilly

202 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Reply # 379038 12-Sep-2010 15:06

This is copied directly from the US Apple site:

Can I buy an iPhone without an AT&T contract?
No. iPhone requires a two-year AT&T wireless service contract.

k14

580 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 379045 12-Sep-2010 15:26

I was in the US last week and you cannot buy an iphone 4 from an apple store without an AT&T contract. Also you cannot run one on any network apart from AT&T. That is unless you can jailbreak and then unlock. I believe that when the jailbreak for 4.0.1 was out you could unlock but no new ones come with that firmware anymore, all are 4.0.2 or possibly even 4.1 now. In Canada however it is a different story, they are just the same as the ones bought in NZ. I tried to get one when I was there (4 weeks ago) but even though I lined up at 7am in the morning I still missed out.

In the end, buying an iphone overseas is a false economy. You may save $100 but you get no warranty. Buy from vodafone or apple and pay the nz price.

bassline

29 posts

Geek

Reply # 379060 12-Sep-2010 17:18

well guys your wrong..you can walk into an apple store in the us and buy an iphone4 without a contract. you cant buy it online without a contract and thats where your confused..

Apple has clarified the situation stating that you're able to purchase the iPhone 4 without commitments, just that you'll have to purchase it from a store, not online. If you were panicking at the thought of being tied to a contract in order to get your hands on an iPhone 4, hopefully this bit of news will calm you down.

Both AT&T and Apple offer the iPhone 4

without a contract at no-commitment pricing. However, these deals are not available online. AT&T representatives have verified that the iPhone 4 can be purchased without a contract in person, from either an AT&T Wireless

retail store or an Apple Store. To have an iPhone purchased online and shipped to your residence or place of business, a two-year contract is required.

Can I buy the iPhone 4 without a contract?

Yes, the iPhone 4

can be purchased without a contract. Unsubsidized prices are at a $400 premium without an AT&T Wireless

contract.

This puts pricing at $599 for the 16 GB iPhone

4 and $699 for a 32 GB iPhone 4.

Lilly

202 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Reply # 379065 12-Sep-2010 17:29

Yup, you're right. But for a saving of around $200 is it worth it, especially if it's locked to the AT&T network.

Teeps

497 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 19

Reply # 379067 12-Sep-2010 17:44

@bassline

Less than NZ$200 cheaper for a locked iphone 4 and the chance of being charged import duty (especially if your friend was bringing in 2) really doesn't make it worthwhile if you ask me. You obviously feel different

bassline

29 posts

Geek

Reply # 379069 12-Sep-2010 17:52

the only reason im looking at it in the first place is because you cant even get stock in nz..cant even buy one outright if i wanted to..when will stores actually have them for purchase? anyone know? i dont want a vodafone contract and i dont wanna wait 3 weeks for apple online?

the only compelling reason for not buying one in the states is the warranty issues..its cheaper, they have stock, my friend is over there now and comes back on thursday..i could have an out of contract phone for about 800nz landed.

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