Have you ever wondered if there?s a place where you can buy an unlocked iPhone 3G without having to worry about legal impediments? That place actually exists. In Hong Kong, buying unlocked cell phones is perfectly normal. In fact, they don?t do it any other way. There, when you buy a phone, it?s not locked to any carrier. Instead, you pick a carrier to connect to yourself.
Unlocked cellphone
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.
This kind of arrangement is common in almost every part of the world that uses cell phones. In the US, an iPhone that you buy from AT&T can only be used in the AT&T network. But if you buy an unlocked iPhone 3G, you?ll be able to insert a SIM from another carrier and use the phone on its network.
Perfectly legal
Hong Kong is known for its penchant for cell phones. And as it leads most of the world in terms of cell phone models and usage, it also stands out with its peculiar cell phone policies. For there, cell phones are bought unlocked. This means, when you buy an iPhone 3G from a shop in Hong Kong, don?t be surprised to find it unlocked. To further prove that this arrangement is perfectly acceptable there, take note that Apple has recently released unlocked iPhone 3G phones in that region.
What?s the catch?
There?s one caveat though, the price of an unlocked 3G iPhone is relatively higher there than if you bought one in the US. The reason is because, in the US, carriers like AT&T subsidize the cost of the phone in exchange for locking the subscriber into their network.
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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