US iphone - what EXACTLY to ask for?

bnm

Hi there, I know there's more than enough info here to answer my questions but I'm technologically retarded and need it spelled out for me....:p:rolleyes:....

I'm in the states at the moment and I'd like to buy an iphone for myself and one for my brother. I'm Meteor and he's 3G. Neither off us will be downloading massive amounts so the ones with small memory capacities should be fine?

I'm afraid that I'll end up buying something that can't be unlocked....or that something will go wrong and they won't work at home. Things like that are always happening to me. Could someone tell me exactly what to look and ask for when I go into the shop....I know there are a few models and one in particular can't be unlocked? Can I order already unlocked iphones on the internet? Apologies for my ignorance on the matter!

Tom Dunne

bnm wrote: »

Hi there, I know there's more than enough info here to answer my questions but I'm technologically retarded and need it spelled out for me....:p:rolleyes:....

I'm in the states at the moment and I'd like to buy an iphone for myself and one for my brother. I'm Meteor and he's 3G. Neither off us will be downloading massive amounts so the ones with small memory capacities should be fine?

You will not be able to buy an iPhone in the US without signing up to a 2 year contract.

whiterebel

bnm wrote: »

Hi there, I know there's more than enough info here to answer my questions but I'm technologically retarded and need it spelled out for me....:p:rolleyes:....

I'm in the states at the moment and I'd like to buy an iphone for myself and one for my brother. I'm Meteor and he's 3G. Neither off us will be downloading massive amounts so the ones with small memory capacities should be fine?

I'm afraid that I'll end up buying something that can't be unlocked....or that something will go wrong and they won't work at home. Things like that are always happening to me. Could someone tell me exactly what to look and ask for when I go into the shop....I know there are a few models and one in particular can't be unlocked? Can I order already unlocked iphones on the internet? Apologies for my ignorance on the matter!

Unless ther has been a serious change, you need an an American Credit Card, address and social security number. The postpay is locked and can't be unlocked yet, AFAIK.

bnm

Ok well I have an American Express, SSN and address over here so I could order it online...but if I won't be able to use it back home from September it's pointless....

Just so I have it straight iphones can't be unlocked but itouches can??

whiterebel

bnm wrote: »

Ok well I have an American Express, SSN and address over here so I could order it online...but if I won't be able to use it back home from September it's pointless....

Just so I have it straight iphones can't be unlocked but itouches can??

An iPod Touch is an iPod, not a phone so there is no lock on it

MiloFoxburr

You can purchase the iPhone 3Gs without a contract in America

$599 for the 16gb and $699 for the 32gb. However they cannot currently be unlocked and it may take a while before they are.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/atandt-confirms-contract-free-599-699-iphone-3gs-for-next-week/

You should be able to buy the 8gig 3G without a contract as well, that can be unlocked with ultrasnow whenever it gets released

-edit- Reading up on this.. I assume you still need an American SSN etc. The 599/699 is a no commit price so you can purchase it and immediately cancel the contract. I had assumed you didn't need to sign up to anything

Tom Dunne

MiloFoxburr wrote: »

You can purchase the iPhone 3Gs without a contract in America

Are you sure about that? I can't seem to find any links to suggest that is the case.

MiloFoxburr wrote: »

$599 for the 16gb and $699 for the 32gb. However they cannot currently be unlocked and it may take a while before they are.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/atandt-confirms-contract-free-599-699-iphone-3gs-for-next-week/

You should be able to buy the 8gig 3G without a contract as well, that can be unlocked with ultrasnow whenever it gets released

-edit- Reading up on this.. I assume you still need an American SSN etc. The 599/699 is a no commit price so you can purchase it and immediately cancel the contract. I had assumed you didn't need to sign up to anything

That article concerns the 3G model and is from March last - did this actually happen? Did AT&T actually start selling them contract free?

MiloFoxburr

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Are you sure about that? I can't seem to find any links to suggest that is the case.



That article concerns the 3G model and is from March last - did this actually happen? Did AT&T actually start selling them contract free?

Just seen the date of that article.. Found the press release regarding the 3G S on the official AT&T site http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574

You can pay full retail—and not have to sign a 2-year contract—at $599 (16GB) or $699 (32GB).

Tom Dunne

MiloFoxburr wrote: »

Just seen the date of that article.. Found the press release regarding the 3G S on the official AT&T site http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574

Excellent. Time to update the sticky.

Thanks for that. Don't know why I couldn't find it.