In most countries, Apple sells iPhone (2G, 3G, 3GS) by tie up with a local carrier (such as AT&T). That is what so called locked iPhone. Unless you consider using software method to jailbreak & unlock, you can’t switch carrier even you hate it. I have received questions from readers asking:
Is there any way to buy a Factory-Unlocked iPhone 3G or 3GS? And, where can you buy it?
Yes, there are options.
Travel to Overseas or Ask Friends in These Countries for Help
Due to some restrictions in certain countries, Apple has to sell factory-unlocked iPhone. According to a support page in Apple.com, a handful carriers are selling factory-unlocked iPhone. Here is the comprehensive list for those authorized carriers:
Europe
- Belgium: Mobistar
- Czech Republic: O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone
- Greece: Cosmote, Vodafone
- Italy: 3, TIM, Vodafone
- Luxembourg: Vox Mobile, LUXGSM
- Russia: MegaFon, MTS, Beeline
- Slovakia: Orange
Asia Pacific
- Hong Kong: 3 (or Apple Store Hong Kong)
- Macau: 3
- Malaysia: Maxis
- New Zealand: Vodafone
- Singapore: SingTel
- Taiwan: Chunghwa Telecom
- Thailand: TrueMove
Middle East
- Saudi Arabia: Mobily
- United Arab Emirates: Etisalat
Africa
- South Africa: Vodacom
Buy.com Offers Factory Unlocked iPhone with Warranty
You may not be traveling to the above countries or you don’t have friends there. If you’re from U.S, consider to buy one from Buy.com. Buy.com is now offering factory-unlocked iPhone 3GS with warranty (but also with hefty price tag). It costs US$859.99 for 16GB edition and with free shipping.
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{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
There are more
In France the law states that it must be sold unlocked aswell. So from Orange you can buy it for around 540 euros (im not sure of the exact price).
In Australia you can buy it unlocked directly from Apple for $879
In New Zealand you can also buy the phone unlocked directly from the Apple Store (online) New Zealand in addition to the outright-buy at Vodafone retail outlets.
The apple store is actually $30 cheaper than buying it through vodafone in NZ.
When the 3G was sold, the above Apple support page also listed the model no. sold in each country, so that you’b be able to have an additional confirmation that the iphone was unlocked.
Is there a similar page now?
Thanks.
@Daniel, that’s the only support page I can find. The page should apply to iPhone 3G & 3GS but it doesn’t contain further breakdown on which model is available for specific countries.
Thank you, Simon.
You have a great site here and I visit it every single day.
Hi Simon,
There are so many “companies” selling iPhones for good prices…How can one be sure of which ones are not scams…Even on your blog I found a few, but I am still very skeptical..Is there anyway of buying from apple direct for Africa apart from South Africa?
So why don’t we flash your iPhones with the firmware these ones have instead of unlocking?
@Philip & Jannis, thanks for your information. If anyone knows the selling price of unlocked iPhone 3G/3GS in your country, appreciate you can leave comment and let other know.
In Hong Kong, it’s sold at HK$5388 (or US$695) for 16GB model and HK$6288 (or US$810) for 32GB model.
The Saudi Arabia iPhone is sold unlocked and there are different contracts (all 12 months only). The only problem with Mobily is that they are dumb.
their employees still claim that the iPhone is locked
iPhone 3GS is still not released here and no info until now.
Hong kong is the best price imo, you need a friend in hong kong
hey guys! is there any way or possibility to purchase unlocked apple iPhone 3GS from hong kong if it is much cheaper there, of course from legitimate seller? i am working here in saudi arabia and the 3GS is not available yet from Mobily. there are available unlocked 3GS from some celfone shops here but they are way too expensive.
appreciate if anyone can suggest. thanks
@Jet, you may purchase iPhone 3GS at Mongkok. But they are not the official reseller.
thanks, Simon. but am not really familiar with Hong Kong much more with Mongkok. i followed the link but i guess the language is in chinese or cantonese i guess. i was actually thinking of checking and buying it online (like in eBay) but of course with an affordable price. anyhow, i will try to manage and search for some ways.
on the other hand, you have such a great site. lots of information and i can say that you site is like a “one stop shop” for info. keep it up… this is such a great and helpful site. i have been hooked to your site since the first time i discovered it. i made this as my reference site when it comes to my apple iphone issues.
@jet, thanks! I’m really glad you find my blog useful.
@jet, here the official Hong Kong Apple store site (http://store.apple.com/hk/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone) you can buy it from there…
I’m going to Rome, Italy briefly in October. Does anyone know how much an unlocked 3gs costs there?
599€ for 16G 699€ for 32G
ciao.
Thank you francesco!
I’m goinf to France atthe end of this month.
I’d appreciate any input from French readers, regarding any limitations (eg requirement of citizenship etc).
Also, I’ve read that there’s a ~100Eur “fine” imposed by Orange if you want to purchase a “carrier-free” unit?
Thanks.
I wish more countries had some balls and sold it unlocked.
Pathetic cowards!
But thank you to those countries that do sell it unlocked!
Hi i have a friend that will be in Hong Kong from the 22 sept for 5 days he will be in the vicinity of the Wan Chai computer centre. Firstly I see that you have to be a resident of HK with a HK credit card to purchase an Iphone 3gs from the local apple store. We either need a friend from HK or a lead to another place to purchase.
Regards
Warren
Belgian PRICES here:
http://iphone3g.mobistar.be/fr/index.cfm?WT.ac=gsm_iphone
will the 3gs 32 on buy.com lockup with new down loads from apple?and would you buy this phone from them.great site just found it today
@steve, the one from buy.com is a factory-unlocked iPhone. So, you’re allowed to upgrade to the latest firmware version.
Hi
This is the best info I found so far about the iPhone! Thank you.
I am in South Africa and here an iPhone 3GS sells for R9500! This is a real rip-off from Vodacom!
It looks like the best deal is in Honk Kong (+/- R6000) or via eBay USA (same price) or even eBay UK (+/- R6500).
I am not traveling soon to any of these destinations, however if someone has an honest way to help me get one, I am really interested.
Hi Paul,
I am based in Cape Town and have a friend who will be in hong kong from monday 21st sept. We are in contact with a HK national to see if he can secure us a couple through his contacts @ apple store HK. Now for the hurdles……..firstly there was a shortage of stock in HK and secondly you need a HK address and C/Card to purchase these things so lets hold thumbs that something can be arranged. I can be contacted on htc@mtn.blackberry.com or info@vtextreme.co.za.
Regards
NOW,
IF SOMEONE ONE .I CAN HELP TO BUY MORE. UNLOCKED IHPONE 3GS 16GB. US OR HK VERSION.
SKYPE. VICTORZHUSHENGLI
THANKS
VICTOR
JAB Cellular (http://www.jabcellular.com) has the 16GB and 32GB Factory Unlocked iPhone for sale.. These are Hong Kong stock too!
16GB – http://www.jabcellular.com/apple-iphone-16gb-unlocked-factory-unlocked-p-61.html
32GB – http://www.jabcellular.com/apple-iphone-32gb-unlocked-factory-unlocked-p-48.html
JAB Cellular http://www.jabcellular.com are having their Black Friday sale, and the Factory Unlocked iPhones are included! I’ve ordered from them before, and they are awesome!
hey my name’s sachin. im from india and desperate to buy an iphone 3GS 16 GB. its not yet released here and i wanted the factory unlocked version. so thought of buying it from australia. i know people there who can buy it for me but getting it to india is the problem. they would be coming to india only after a yr or so. so i just wanted to know if there’s any other way i could get it down to india from australia. i thought bout posting it but i heard that v’ll have to pay import duty then. is that true? any idea how to solve my problem?? please let me as soon as possible. thank you.. cheers..
sorry if this is a dumb question, but whats the diff between US and Hong Kong stock? i want to buy an iphone that i can use in the UK with my vodafone sim
please help
HK stock is full factory unlocked same as South african version but much cheaper whereas US stock is AT&T locked
Hi, I am planning to get an iPhone 3GS from Malaysia(Factory unlocked). I wanted to know whether it will work in India and Sweden.. thanks in advance ppl.. This is one of the useful blog I have ever gone through. One more thing can someone let me know the price of 3GS?
@Pazuzu, if it’s an factory unlocked iPhone, it should work in other GSM networks. In Hong Kong, you can get a factory-unlocked iPhone 3GS for HK$5399.
I highly recommend the oldest method:
Ask your friends who done it, where they done it and go there – cut out the risk in the deal.
Also, you may want to visit iPhone user guide.
Am from Egypt , I got a store of apple iphones at a very Good price and can make shipment any one who is interested . Below details about what i have in stock.
Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB Unlocked.
Features
Improved performance
3-megapixel autofocus camera
Video recording
Voice Control
Digital compass
Cut, Copy & Paste
MMS23
Spotlight Search
Landscape keyboard
Voice Memos
Tech Specs
Size and weight
Height: 4.5 inches (115.5 mm)
Width: 2.4 inches (62.1 mm)
Depth: 0.48 inch (12.3 mm)
Weight: 4.8 ounces (135 grams)
Cellular and wireless
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Power and battery
Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter
Talk time:
Up to 12 hours on 2G
Up to 5 hours on 3G
Standby time: Up to 300 hours
Internet use:
Up to 5 hours on 3G
Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi
Video playback: Up to 10 hours
Audio playback: Up to 30 hours
Display
3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Audio playback
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Audio formats supported: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Video playback
Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
Camera, photos, and video
3 megapixels
Autofocus
Tap to focus
Video recording, VGA up to 30 fps with audio
Photo and video geotagging
iPhone and third-party application integration
In the box
iPhone 3GS
Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
Dock Connector to USB Cable
USB Power Adapter
Documentation
SIM eject tool
Contact me by :allsamstore@gmail.com
Hello i find a website where it´s possible to buy an Iphone 3gs factory unlocked from Greece Belgium or Italy http://europe-wholesale-iphone3gs-factory.blogspot.com/
Hi Guys, I have found out this site called macsales-now.com which sells factory unlocked iphone 3GS for 349 Euro. Does any one have any idea about this site. They want money transferred by wire transfer.
hi SIMON NG, can u pls tell me if i buy factory unlocked iphone 3GS, and i want to update it…
can it be done without any risk? and what will be the difference if i update it?
i mean what difference will the new version make?
plus pls tell me if i jailbreak FACTORY UNLOCK for cydia….u think it can be done? and can i share files such as pics,songs through bluetooth to other peripherals? without jailbreaking…as it says that bluetooth is enables in 3GS ..pls guide…thanx a lot in advance..u r really helpfull
@Ahmer,
If you’re purchasing a factory unlocked iPhone 3GS, it’s quite safe to upgrade to any version of OS. Normally, a new version of iPhone OS will come with more features and bug fixes. For file or song sharing, you can’t share the files with other bluetooth-enabled devices without jailbreaking. The non-jailbroken iPhone can only share pics or files via bluetooth between iPhones.
@Simon Ng,
thanx a lot for ur reply buddy….can u tell me the safest procedure to jailbreak the 3gS…which has no risk and less hassle…and i heard about ibluenova…..is it for 3gS bluetooth? pls guide….Cheers mate
Many of you keep asking the same question all over again and again. Instead of looking for ‘reputable’ sources, just got to http://www.buy.com and buy a factory unlocked iPhone. Voila, you are all set – upgrades for life, worry free.
Hi,
I am from Namibia, and there is hardly any iPhones here..I am thinking of buying a few, where would I get the best prices…We are not limited here in Namibia as to where they are from..as long as they are original!
Please help!
Is it Possible to buy an iPhone for 300USD????
I think so
You can get a better offer from mastec.phonesltd@gmail.com , They are a very Good company , I order about 20 iphones from them and i recieved it all in Good condition.
The problem I have now experienced with this is that there is so many scams like this…you pay and then you receive nothing, or fakes..
Yeah so many scams , you just have to order from a good company . But when i deal with the Mastec company i never regret now i own my stores running fine , You can check them out
Do they have website?
I get my iphone 3Gs 32Gb , for $289USD from Malaysia and it work fine , First of all i was afraid i lost my money , but i was so happy when the iphone delivered to me ,So i belive you can get it for $300USD if you dealing with the right company
What company did you use in Malaysia? There is so many of these scams around now, It is hard to know who to trust1
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Tachyon Wireless is a premier reseller of factory unlocked iphones
If you are looking to purchase 1 or many, stop by our website http://www.tachyonwireless.com
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