Unlocked 3G iPhone on sale in Hong Kong

Unlocked 3G iPhones have started to sell in Hong Kong. This is the first time that unlocked 3G iPhones are being sold anywhere. The unlocked phones can work on any network in the world and cost HK$ 5,400 (£376) and HK$ 6,200 (£432) respectively for the 8GB & 16GB versions. When converted to US Dollars this turns out to be around $ 700 US for 8GB version & around $ 800 US for the 16GB versions. In euros this turns out to be around € 475 & € 550 respectively.

The Apple HK website mentions to interested customers -

iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation.

The thing to note here is that when converted to Indian Rupees, the unlocked 3G iPhone will cost Rs.32000 & Rs. 37000 for the 8GB & the 16GB versions respectively, which is not much more than the Rs.31000 & Rs.36100 price of the 3G iPhone in India, however the 3G iPhones selling in India are locked either to Vodafone or Bharti Airtel. Aren't Indians being unfairly treated by these companies that despite paying similar amount as their counterparts in Hong Kong, they are getting locked 3G iPhones instead of unlocked ones ?

Source : Apple Hong Kong Store

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Apple 3G iPhone to land in India on 22 August for $700

Apple iPhone is finally coming to India. Airtel & Vodafone will be bringing the handset to India just before the festival season. But better start cutting down on other expenditures if you plan to buy it. The 3G iPhone will cost approximately $700 for the 8GB iPhone 3G or about $825 for the 16GB iPhone 3G.

This is the full price of iPhone as contracts are still not popular in India, so you'll get the unlocked version. Without any carrier subsidies, Vodafone and Airtel will be requiring their customers to pony up Rs 31,000 and Rs 36,100, respectively, for the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G handset. That's still a very high price considering there are better other alternatives like N82 & N95.

India still lacks a 3G Network so you'll be left with just EDGE speeds at best with your new 3G iPhone if you buy one. Even though quite a few Handsets exist in India which are 3G capable, they can't be used in 3G Mode. Hope to see it changed when Indian Networks launch their 3G Network. The iPhone 3G will launch in India on August 22 through Vodafone.

Source : Vodafone India & Bharti Airtel

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