Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Non US citizen wanting to buy an Iphone 3gs in NY
- Thread starter dedalus
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
As I understand it, you can buy the 3GS w/o contract for $599/$699, but it would still be locked to AT&T, and an unlocking solution through jailbreak isn't available yet for the 3GS.
They will only sell it to you if you sign up to a 2 year contract with AT&T and you need a US ID to take out the contract.
This option is only available if you already have a contract with AT&T.
This option is only available if you already have a contract with AT&T.
From: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTAyNTM5ODU
I'm assuming that people who are buying an iPhone as a gift don't necessarily have an AT&T contract themselves, so it must be possible to buy the iPhone for full price w/o a pre-existing AT&T contract. However, OP won't be able to take it back to his country and use it there, as the phone is locked to AT&T, as I explained before.
Sorry, I had missed this news story confirming Apple Stores do now sell contract free iPhones to non-AT&T customers.
The contract free phone is still locked to AT&T. You would need to unlock it to use in on another network.
Sorry, I had missed this news story confirming Apple Stores do now sell contract free iPhones to non-AT&T customers.
The contract free phone is still locked to AT&T.
so it means I can buy it and use it abroad with a non att sim?
If you can unlock the phone. As bought, it will only work with an AT&T SIM.
Where are you planning to use the iPhone?
If you're planning on using it in Europe then it would make more sense to go to Belgium or Italy to buy it, as Apple has to sell it unlocked in these two countries. Then you wouldn't have to worry about the unlock process.
i'm currently in ny and also want to buy a 3gs. in manhattan 3 stores (non-apple, non at&t) offered me factory unlocked 3gs for 550-600$ and 3g for 400$ (smallest version each).
why are you guys tellin it is not possible?!
could someone tell me a good site/thread with a 'how to detect fake 3gs' ? i couldn't find something. but selling fake is prohibited in NY isn't it? Because some stores are yelling it on the street: 'buy brand new iphone 3gs blabla'
why are you guys tellin it is not possible?!
could someone tell me a good site/thread with a 'how to detect fake 3gs' ? i couldn't find something. but selling fake is prohibited in NY isn't it? Because some stores are yelling it on the street: 'buy brand new iphone 3gs blabla'
It's not possible through official channels -- Apple, AT&T, BestBuy. Those stores could very well be selling fakes, or more likely, try to "bait and switch" you into buying another phone. The pricing alone makes me suspicious, because unlocked phones go for closer to $1000. No native NYers would ever step into those stores, that should tell you something.
Since I only have a few more days in NY, I got to hurry.
If the iPhone is really factory unlocked, I could use my own simcard and then check if I can use the phone and what OS is installed. Because it's not possible to unlock 3.1 OS, is it?
If anyone has advices how to detect fakes else, please post it.
If the iPhone is really factory unlocked, I could use my own simcard and then check if I can use the phone and what OS is installed. Because it's not possible to unlock 3.1 OS, is it?
If anyone has advices how to detect fakes else, please post it.
They sell them unlocked here in asia. I am going to get the new 3GS next week myself. In most countries in Asia they can be unlocked and they are not cheap.
Just one: buy it directly from Apple. Anywhere else, you are taking a chance. Smaller chance if you purchase it directly from a reputable and established dealer. Larger chance if it's from a private or unknown seller.
No risk, no reward, right?