Buying an iPhone for use in the UK

[BlueWave]

I'm going to NY in two weeks on holiday, and am planning to purchase an iPhone to take back with me. Does anyone know the answers to these questions?

1. Will I be able to purchase the phone at the store with cash without registering for anything or what not until it needs to be activated?

2. Will someone have worked out how to unlock it, to accept foreign sim cards from UK companies such as O2, in two weeks?

3. If if it is unlocked, how many of the iPhone's features are likely to not work. All I really want it to do is send and recieve calls & texts, sync with iTunes and operate with wifi. I don't care about browsing the internet or receiving emails using EDGE

4. I never plan to get the iPhone on contract, so bearing that In mind, is it worth waiting untill it's released in the UK and then trying to unlock it from Vodaphone?

If I don't buy an iPhone in NY, i'm probably going to get a iPod anyway.

 

[sananda]

2. Will someone have worked out how to unlock it, to accept foreign sim cards from UK companies such as O2, in two weeks?

3. If if it is unlocked, how many of the iPhone's features are likely to not work. All I really want it to do is send and recieve calls & texts, sync with iTunes and operate with wifi. I don't care about browsing the internet or receiving emails using EDGE

hold on....i'll just get my crystal ball....

 

[Hattig]

Just wait for the UK iPhone, you know it will work, it'll be 3G, and it'll have a few months more refinements.

Why risk that money on something that won't work until unlocked, which requires the payment of money to get a contract you have to cancel for $175. They might even ask for the phone back and charge you a 10% restocking fee.

On the other hand, if (generic) you are American and travel to the UK/Europe/World frequently, then an iPhone should work just fine abroad at international call rates just like any other mobile phone.