iPhone question (want to buy)

[TheReasoner]

Hey guys. I hope someone here can help me. As you can see, I am Norwegian. My wife is American and we're headed over to the US this summer. (YAY!)
Anyway, I have some money saved up and I want to buy the new iPhone when there.

To do so we intend to buy it on her American account and in her name. And then cancel the deal immediately. If you do so here the seller is required by law to unlock it so you can use it with any SIM card you choose. Is it the same in the states? Will I be able to keep my iPhone, I have heard AT&T wants it back if you cancel your deal.

Any assistance regarding what the total price would be and whether I would be able to take it home to Norway and use it with my own SIM card (I know the phone works here, but will it be locked to AT&T?)

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[peanutbutter12]

If you buy the phone outright, you can keep it if you cancel the account (after paying an early termination fee), but they won't unlock it. Phones here are released to work on a single carrier by contract with the manufacturer so they have the right to not unlock the phone to be used on another. Also doesn't help that we only have, I believe, 2 carriers that use SIM cards here in the US. So for the rest of us who live here, unless we were going to the other carrier, wouldn't matter if the phone was unlocked or not unless we were going directly to the other.

I also thought that the SIM card in an iPhone was placed inside the phone which would require taking the whole thing apart?

 

[TheReasoner]

If you buy the phone outright, you can keep it if you cancel the account (after paying an early termination fee), but they won't unlock it. Phones here are released to work on a single carrier by contract with the manufacturer so they have the right to not unlock the phone to be used on another. Also doesn't help that we only have, I believe, 2 carriers that use SIM cards here in the US. So for the rest of us who live here, unless we were going to the other carrier, wouldn't matter if the phone was unlocked or not unless we were going directly to the other.

I also thought that the SIM card in an iPhone was placed inside the phone which would require taking the whole thing apart?

Nah. To change the sim card all you need is a paperclip. The SIM card is in a small drawer at the top of the phone.

To be honest, what you describe makes it sound like your consumers have precious few rights...

 

[ShilohCity]

To be honest, what you describe makes it sound like your consumers have precious few rights...

You got that right. You can find tutorials on how to unlock an iphone online, but at&t won't do it for you.

 

[TheReasoner]

You got that right.

It's odd though. You'd think that given the focus on competition and profit in the US they would jump at the opportunity to sell - even unlocked iphones. Especially to foreigners like me. At least that's what the proponents of more hard-core capitalism seem to believe. Oh well, this is not a political thread. But I am still surprised at it. I've always heard that no matter what you want, you can buy it in the US. Provided you can pay.

You can find tutorials on how to unlock an iphone online, but at&t won't do it for you.

Sure, but that would mean jailbreaking it. And jailbreaking voids the warranty. Plus, I don't think iPhone OS 3.0 is jailbroken yet, is it?

 

[Col3_11n12]

If you buy the phone outright, vs. cancel the contract & pay early termination, it's a wash. Might as well buy it outright.

 

[Richard]

It's odd though. You'd think that given the focus on competition and profit in the US they would jump at the opportunity to sell - even unlocked iphones. Especially to foreigners like me. At least that's what the proponents of more hard-core capitalism seem to believe. Oh well, this is not a political thread. But I am still surprised at it. I've always heard that no matter what you want, you can buy it in the US. Provided you can pay.



Sure, but that would mean jailbreaking it. And jailbreaking voids the warranty. Plus, I don't think iPhone OS 3.0 is jailbroken yet, is it?

I actually called Apple and AT&T and asked if jailbreaking the phone voided the warranty. Both said no it didn't

 

[2ndblogger]

I actually had the same situation with you before..

I bought an iPhone in US and when I went back to Philippines, I searched for people online who can unlock it. There are a lot of people who called me and I got my iPhone unloacked.

It's actually pretty much cheaper if you buy one in US that in Philippines.

 

[TheReasoner]

Actually, unlocking it is very easy. I bought a 3GS in Canada and jailbroke it myself. It's really very easy. You just need basic google skills and basic computer understanding. Maybe my understanding of 'basic' is more than yours, but I think that if you can format a hard drive or install software you can jailbreak an iPhone...

 

[Trelawrence]

Keep in mind that jailbreaking is different than unlocking...

 

[TheReasoner]

Keep in mind that jailbreaking is different than unlocking...

Oh of course. Both were very easy. Of course now I am waiting for a 3.1 jailbreak and unlock to come out for the 3GS...

 

[the.Sheepdog]

it will come. I love my iPhone 3GS. Who would I go to if I didnt have ATT anyway? where I am I have 100% 3G coverage all the time everywhere I go and can net surf and talk at the same time. For me it has been a great phone

 

[TheReasoner]

it will come. I love my iPhone 3GS. Who would I go to if I didnt have ATT anyway? where I am I have 100% 3G coverage all the time everywhere I go and can net surf and talk at the same time. For me it has been a great phone

The jailbreak has come, a long time ago...
Anyway, I really feel sorry for you Americans. I am surprised that you as consumers don't have more rights really. If you want a phone unlocked here you get it unlocked by the phone company. They're required to by law if you purchase the phone and terminate the contract with them. Which is only right, it's your phone. Not theirs.

You guys need to stand up for your rights as consumers. The way you're robbed of possibilities with EULAs is a little scary actually....