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What You Should Know Before You Buy an Unlocked iPhone 3G

By Antonio B.

There's a place where you can buy an unlocked iPhone 3G wherein doing so would be completely legal. Surprised? You shouldn't be if it's in a region where buying unlocked cell phones is more of a rule than an exception. The region we're talking about here is Hong Kong, probably the only place on earth where you can freely pick both your phone and your carrier.

Unlocked cellphones explained

The principle behind an unlocked iPhone 3G is very simple. When any cell phone is locked, it will allow you to insert only one kind of SIM card ? the one affiliated with the carrier with which the phone is linked to. Therefore, a locked cell phone can only be used in that particular carrier's network. When you buy an unlocked iPhone 3G, you will be able to use that phone in practically any network.

In the US for example, if you buy your iPhone 3G from AT&T, then you can only insert an AT&T SIM in it. i.e., you can only use your iPhone 3G on the AT&T network. An unlocked iPhone 3G on the other hand, would enable you to use it with any SIM and hence, on any network.

The rule, not the exception

In Hong Kong, where you can find a vast collection of cell phones, the phones that you buy are unlocked by default. Say that again? No really, if you buy an iPhone 3G in Hong Kong, you'd be able to use it on any network. Now, we're not talking about bootleg versions. On the contrary, Apple itself has released unlocked iPhone 3G phones there.

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.

How to buy an unlocked iPhone 3G

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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