Where Can You Buy Factory Unlocked iPhone 3GS?

by Simon Ng on August 15, 2009



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

apple-unlocked-iphone-carrierAsia 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.

buy-com-iphone

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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Philip August 15, 2009 at 12:28 pm

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 :)

Reply

2 Jannis August 15, 2009 at 12:58 pm

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.

Reply

3 Daniel August 15, 2009 at 3:52 pm

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.

Reply

4 Simon Ng August 16, 2009 at 1:21 am

@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.

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5 Daniel August 16, 2009 at 1:24 am

Thank you, Simon.

You have a great site here and I visit it every single day.
:-)

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6 Yiannis August 15, 2009 at 6:05 pm

So why don’t we flash your iPhones with the firmware these ones have instead of unlocking?

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7 Simon Ng August 16, 2009 at 1:25 am

@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.

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8 SaudiMac August 16, 2009 at 5:27 pm

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 ;)

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9 Jet August 20, 2009 at 4:30 am

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

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10 Simon Ng August 21, 2009 at 1:39 am

@Jet, you may purchase iPhone 3GS at Mongkok. But they are not the official reseller.

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11 Jet August 21, 2009 at 6:27 am

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.

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12 Simon Ng August 22, 2009 at 12:24 am

@jet, thanks! I’m really glad you find my blog useful.

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13 Su-Han September 5, 2009 at 11:11 am

@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…

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14 grock September 5, 2009 at 9:09 pm

I’m going to Rome, Italy briefly in October. Does anyone know how much an unlocked 3gs costs there?

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15 francesco September 12, 2009 at 2:41 pm

599€ for 16G 699€ for 32G

ciao.

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16 grock September 13, 2009 at 6:27 am

Thank you francesco!

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17 Daniel September 5, 2009 at 10:01 pm

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.

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18 James September 8, 2009 at 9:37 pm

I wish more countries had some balls and sold it unlocked.
Pathetic cowards!
But thank you to those countries that do sell it unlocked! :)

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19 Warren September 10, 2009 at 4:13 pm

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

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20 Ash September 16, 2009 at 8:25 pm
21 steve September 18, 2009 at 6:04 am

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

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22 Simon Ng September 18, 2009 at 5:12 pm

@steve, the one from buy.com is a factory-unlocked iPhone. So, you’re allowed to upgrade to the latest firmware version.

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23 Paul September 20, 2009 at 5:29 am

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.

Reply

24 Warren September 20, 2009 at 6:00 am

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

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25 VICTOR September 27, 2009 at 5:35 pm

NOW,
IF SOMEONE ONE .I CAN HELP TO BUY MORE. UNLOCKED IHPONE 3GS 16GB. US OR HK VERSION.

SKYPE. VICTORZHUSHENGLI
THANKS

VICTOR

Reply

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