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Monday, February 09, 2009

What You Have to Know When You Buy an iPhone 3G That is Unlocked

By Antonio B.

Have you ever wondered if there's a place where you can buy an unlocked iPhone 3G without having to worry about legal impediments? That place actually exists. In Hong Kong, buying unlocked cell phones is perfectly normal. In fact, they don't do it any other way. There, when you buy a phone, it's not locked to any carrier. Instead, you pick a carrier to connect to yourself.

The principle behind an unlocked cell phone

To understand the basic principles of an unlocked iPhone 3G, it would be best to start with knowing what a locked cell phone is. When a phone is said to be locked, what is meant is that the phone can only be used when you insert a SIM card that is connected to the same carrier as the phone.

This kind of arrangement is common in almost every part of the world that uses cell phones. In the US, an iPhone that you buy from AT&T can only be used in the AT&T network. But if you buy an unlocked iPhone 3G, you'll be able to insert a SIM from another carrier and use the phone on its network.

Within the law

Hong Kong is known for its penchant for cell phones. And as it leads most of the world in terms of cell phone models and usage, it also stands out with its peculiar cell phone policies. For there, cell phones are bought unlocked. This means, when you buy an iPhone 3G from a shop in Hong Kong, don't be surprised to find it unlocked. To further prove that this arrangement is perfectly acceptable there, take note that Apple has recently released unlocked iPhone 3G phones in that region.

What's the catch?

Of course, while this all sounds so fine and dandy, it doesn't come without a price ? literally. If you buy an unlocked iPhone 3G in Hong Kong, it is going to cost you more than if you bought it in the US, and that doesn't yet include your fare to get there. You see, when you buy a phone in the US, the phones are cheaper because the carriers pay for that extra price in order for the potential subscriber to be enticed into locking in to their network.

Buy an iPhone 3G unlocked

Now, if you're one who would prefer to have the freedom of choice then there should be no reason why you wouldn't buy an unlocked iPhone 3G. If there's one thing that might be inevitable here it's the possibility that, due to the immense popularity of the iPhone, Apple will be pressured into offering unlocked iPhone 3G's to other markets as well. So stay put. You might not need to go to Hong Kong to buy an unlocked iPhone 3G.

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