Buying iPhone Abroad?

[danmonk]

Has anyone got any thoughts on the potential problems with a UK resident buying an iPhone in the US when it is launched?

Assuming you can get over the first hurdle and buy one without a contract, will there be any operational issues of using an iPhone with a UK sim card?

[bobb-mini]

I have a better idea, go ahead and book a flight now, camp out at the Cingular store the night b4r, and ready to be the first chap to take an iPhone across the pond, then start a blog and tell us all about your adventure making it work in the U.K.!!! Wouldn't that be more exciting?

Seriously, u have to UNLOCK it first, hackers usuall find this out after 6-12 mos. I believe Jobs says iPhone will be available in the EU October?. So..... unless u have the unlock magic.

[Mina]

i second that.

[pohatu771]

Aren't you legally entitled to have a phone unlocked?

Unless that changes if a phone is only available on a contract.

[danmonk]

To be honest I think unlocking it would be the least of my worrries. Unlocking stolen phones is big business in the UK.

Or, yes, for small fee your carrier will unlock an out of contract phone.

[loramarthalas]

Yeah, so you could get one on eBay probably the day after they go on sale, if you're willing to pay $1000-1500. AT&T have to unlock any phone when requested to, as long as that phone's contract has been paid out. But really, it would be better to wait until the end of the year and get the 3g version sure to be released for Europe.

[danmonk]

Hmm yes could be worth hanging on for 3G.

I'd be interested to see how the cost thing pans out. On the assumption that as the handset is not subsidised and therefore not bound by a contract I think it could still be worth picking one up If I happen to find myself in the US at the time of launch. The dollar is very weak against the pound right now and the iPhone UK RRP will no doubt be comparably higher than the US price.

[Snakes]

Did someone know where the sim card slot is? or are the iphone without sim card slot?
Another question is: what are the price/month for normal cingular contracts today?

[bobb-mini]

All GSM phones have sim card. Current Cingy with data plan = about usd$60.

Apple said u HAVE to purchase the phone with a plan, in the U.S. at least.

[Snakes]

my consideration is to make a contract and buy it for europe when the first simlock hacks are online. but the price for contracts a very high. in america lives people the worked
for 7 bucks an houhr.
i think the prices is definitely to high and many people dont buy one.

in europe the contract strategie doesent work.

[bobb-mini]

Hey, don't discourage Dan, he wants to do it. But yeah, if money IS object, then perhaps one won't be the King of the County (for 6 mos?).

[5billion]

well, all phones really shouldn't have the need to be signed on with a plan.

i mean, people with out a plan who don't want to use the internet on the iPhone whilst out of the house but they have a wi-fi connection at home, i mean, it shouldn't be vital.

[bobb-mini]

Since when do "businesses" follow users' logic?

I shouldn't pay &%^$% for high $petrol.
I shouldn't repeat the information every time they pass me to a new agent.
I shouldn't have to be on hold for 20 minutes. Waa I got nuthing better to do?

Dunn get me started.

[zc_squash]

I'm anxiously waiting for the release and hoping that the SIM would be unlock soon after. I'm not very keen to purchase one over the eBay so it would be really cool if an unlocking tutorial is posted online. But if there weren't any, i guess i have no choice but to get one from eBay. Anyway, i'm from Malaysia (a small country located in South East Asia).

And oh, about the 3G version of this phone. When do you guys reckon it would be out? Well, if its gonna be launched say only 12 months after the original iPhone, i might just wait for it. After all, the proposed launch date in Asia is in 2008. I suspect it's gonna be mid or late 2008.

[sapporobaby]

Anyone, and I mean anyone that is living outside of the US and is seriously considering buying a US version of the iPhone needs their head examined. Have you not heard that the phone will not have 3G? The European version will be a better phone. Are some people really that stupid and so anxious that they are willing to buy a crippled phone?