Apple is now selling an unlock version of iPhone 3G through its online Apple Store in Hong Kong. This arouses much interest in the iPhone communities. A number of news websites or tech blogs such as Engadget, PC World, Wired have coverage on the news. The unlock version of iPhone 3G is selling at HKD$5400 (USD$692) for 8G version and HKD$6200 (USD$795) for 16GB version. As checked out at Apple Store, Apple explains when you plan to purchase the iPhone 3G that iPhone 3G can be used freely with any carrier:
iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation.
Earlier, iPhone 3G has been available in Hong Kong since mid-Jul but exclusively sold via 3HK, a carrier in Hong Kong. Same as iPhone 3G sold in other countries, you can only purchase it along with 2-year contract with 3HK. As reported by computer magazines in Hong Kong and source from CNet Asia, at that time, iPhone 3G is already unlocked. It can work with any SIM card. But it’s just not a wise decision to buy iPhone 3G along 2-year data plan and use SIM card from other carriers.
From what I know, this should be the first time Apple selling unlock iPhone 3G online. As I checked, Apple Store Online in US, UK, Canada or Singapore does not have such offering. This probably will trigger some Hong Kongers to purchase it and resell unlock iPhone 3G to other countries.
There should be a huge demand for unlock iPhone 3G. As what Apple advertised in Hong Kong online store, “iPhone 3G - Buy directly from Apple. And choose your carrier”. Yes, we all want to choose our own carrier. Hope the unlock version of iPhone 3G will be extended to other markets.
[Image via Apple Store]
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Alec 10.20.08 at 3:52 pm
Thanks for the info. I’m heading to HK next week and would like to purchase an unlocked 3g but I don’t have an address to ship to or a HK credit card to buy it with. Are there any physical apple stores, or do the electronic dealers in Wan Chai have the unlocked 3g for sale with a slight mark-up? And if so, are they trustworthy? Any other ideas for procuring one of these babies if I’m doing a few-day fly-by in the Kong?
Simon Ng 10.21.08 at 2:17 am
Alec, no apple store in Hong Kong. And, I’m not sure if you can buy unlocked iPhone (without joining a HK carrier) through authorized Apple dealer. But you can find quite a lot of electronic/mobile phone dealer in Mongkok or Wan Chai. I’m sure you can buy one during your trip. In case you find any problem searching iPhone during your trip, leave me email.