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iPhones in Hong Kong?

This isn't exactly 21st-Century-Learning-related, but I think this might be the best group of people to ask. I'm very excited about coming to Hong Kong soon for this conference! I've heard that it's possible to purchase legally-unlocked 3G iPhones in Hong Kong. Is that true? In India, we can get phones that are locked to a carrier, and there are plenty of shops that will "unlock" it for you, but as I understand it, when you do that you can no longer get the firmware updates. I'm hoping that Apple actually sells unlocked 3D iPhones, and that I can pick a few up when I'm at the conference.

Does anyone have any experience with that? Here's a page from Apple's site and a news story from CNet which make it all look quite legit.

Any advice is appreciated!
Warren

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul McMahon on August 25, 2009 at 5:57pm: Wow!

Thanks for pointing this out Warren.

It must be online only as I tried to buy one at the Apple store in Mong Kok and another in Central and the answer from them was the same "I have to buy through the carrier (3 in Hong Kong)".

Looks to me like you need to order online and get them shipped to an address here.

Hope this helps.

Paul; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shamblesguru on August 26, 2009 at 6:03pm: Ummm ... I might delete this reply ... or jail break
;-)

I purchased an unlocked iPhone in Mongkok in September 2008 .... I can drop ANY Sim card in it .... I live in Thailand ... works fine here .. also used in UK in the summer .... and Singapore ... and Hong Kong ... each time with a local pay-as-you-go SIM card.

If you want more specifics then maybe a private correspondance .... I've offered to run a "Sharing" session at the conference .... "Sharing your favourite iPhone App"

It's brilliant .... the only downside for me is the battery life .... especially if using 3G ... fortunately/unfortunately not much 3G in Thailand

In fact you've prompted me to start an iPhone App Group here ... if not already done.

Shamblesguru; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shamblesguru on August 26, 2009 at 6:06pm: p.s.
Your comment about firmware

When I purchased in Hong Kong the OS was 2.1 .... this June when it was updated to 3 then it would have probably locked the phone if I had updated through iTunes ... but there is a guy in a small shop that does ...... (ok you get the point) ... no problem for Baht 600; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jon P. Zurfluh on August 28, 2009 at 8:57pm: Gentlemen,

I purchased an iPhone 3G about 6 months ago through the Apple HK website and had the phone delivered to a friend's address. (This is the one wrinkle - must be delivered to HK address.). When I purchased it, it was 2.1. I do not jailbreak and registration with iTunes from Shanghai was seamless. I used the phone successfully on China Mobile for the remainder of the last school year.

I'm now in Seattle area of Washington. I initiated an AT&T account (no contract) and I'm paying month-to-month for iPhone 3G service. The upgrade to 3.0 went seamlessly and no locking as a result. I'm still unlocked and free to use any service. I could have used T-mobile unlimited data plan, but feature and cost comparison confirmed that it's still about the same when compared to AT&T in the U.S. China Mobile is about to launch more widespread 3G, but for now, the iPhone works in EDGE on the network. Slow, but workable. HK has a variety of 3G options.

Hope that helps. Apple has bee unlocked in select markets for over a year now. There are also select countries in Europe that have always been unlocked due to regulatory requirements of those countries. HK started as a locked deal with Hutchinson, but it didn't fly with consumers, so unlocked now. Not sure why it's only available in HK online store, but as Shambles points out, it is available in the shops for secondary resale. May be problem with warranty in this regard. They may be willing to accept Hotel for delivery. Worth a check to see if hotel will receive and hold for your arrival.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrew Ip on August 28, 2009 at 11:11pm: Hi Warren,

You will be happy to know that: iPhone 3G (last generation, NOT iPhong 3GS) are officially available in some of HK's retail chain stores: Broadway and Fortress. I am sure when you arrive, there will be lots of people willing to bring you to these shops.

iPhone 3G, bought from chain stores, are not locked, but with the same price tag as what advertised in Online store (HK).

Hope this helps. See you in HK.

Andrew; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rhona Polonsky on September 13, 2009 at 5:43pm: I hear that you can get legally-unlocked iphones. I actually have an address on my desk at school somewhere! The where is the problem. I will try and find it and get it to you.
Cheers,; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jay Reimer on September 14, 2009 at 8:26am: Warren;

When you get the info, can you pass it on? I would like to know about that too!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Greg De Rosa on September 14, 2009 at 1:59pm: I just got off the phone with the Apple Store in HK. They are out of stock of the 3Gs and will not have them for several weeks. I asked if they are the only place in the world that sells the iphone unlocked and they said yes, HK is the only place.
The woman told me that the only other option for trying to find them is on the black market, which of course she did not recommend. I think I will see what that might be like but I am concerned about being able to update firmware and software if it’s black market.
I would love to hear from anyone else what they know or discover regarding buying iPhones in HK. Thanks.; ▶ Reply to This