I have a cousin living in India and he wants an Iphone 3g. the only issue is that to buy an Iphone in India you have to pay exorbitant prices, its like $600 to $800 in US dollars. To buy it on the "grey Market" unlocked it is roughly the same price. If i get him an Iphone from here, he says he can get it unlocked in India, except i can forsee him having issues with Internet/Email when using the Iphone with another Sim. Is this true, and are there any other issues with bringing an Iphone from the US and unlocking it in India?
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Iphone from US in India
- Thread starter Kandan28
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I'm in the same situation.. One of my aunts asked my dad to get an iPhone for the 200$ price and she'll give him the money. But he's like "no you have to UNLOCK it, it won't work. there is no unlock available" and shes just like "yes there is an unlock for the iPhone. just get it for me for 200$"...pretty much bottom line: You can't unlock the 3G unless you get the Turbo Sim. and you also have to pay the monthly 70$ for 2 years to get the 200-300$ price. If they want the first gen. you can get that for ~400$ and it'll be unlocked seeing as how there is no 3G network in India. yes. I'm Indian.
Nothing he can do but buy one in India legally. iPhone 3G is not unlockable and sites saying so are scammers and misinformers. Besides, the iPhone in the US comes pre-loaded with an AT&T SIM Card and the phone has to be activated in store, otherwise you can't have one.
Do not buying unlocking methods for iPhone 3G, thee are fake and are considered illegal due to the way they are implemented.
1. iPhone 3G cannot be software unlocked as yet. People in India have very wrong notion that it can be unlocked. I've couple of friends in India too.
2. Even if you buy it here you'll have to activate the phone and sign up for 2 yrs with data plan and voice. About $70/month minimum. If you look at ETF charges + a month charge + iPhone 3G price you'll end up with about $500-600 range. Ask him to buy 3G in India, it's not worth the hassle.
3. If he wants 2G then you can get one on craigslists for $300-400 and that can be used in India with unlocking.
and #3 would be the best option seeing as how India doesn't have a 3G network yet.
simple. Get it here. its for 399 16 gig version and 299 8 gig version. Add it to your account as your phone and give it to your aunt.
but a $10 geavy turbo sim from ebay and you should be good to go with iphone 3g technically unlocked.
I think you might have to jailbreak it though. I have used my phone in Australia and it works there on the local sim.
but a $10 geavy turbo sim from ebay and you should be good to go with iphone 3g technically unlocked.
I think you might have to jailbreak it though. I have used my phone in Australia and it works there on the local sim.