Buying iPhone in America and using it in Ireland

gaybitch · 09-08-2011 11:05AM #1

Hi there!

Apologies if this has been asked a million times before, I can only find quite out-dated advice on the net. Feel free to shunt me into the sticky or point me in the right direction if this is a frequent and annoying query!

Right! So I am currently in the US (using a non-contract flat-rate Metro PCS phone for my time here). I was wondering about purchasing an iPhone for the purpose of bringing home to use in Ireland. They are so much cheaper here, and I can't hang about for the iPhone 5 as by then I'll be home.

I've heard that AT&T phones are sold pre-unlocked and I can merely insert an Irish SIM card in them upon returning home, but this seems unlikely and a bit dodgy.

Can anyone tell me how I should go about purchasing an iPhone over here, unlocking it if necessary, and then using it with my old 02 Irish number at home? And are there any problems with signing up for an American contract phone with AT&T? Any general pointers or advice more than welcome.

Any help much appreciated, thanks!

dre_jspeed · 09-08-2011 12:04PM

The best way around your problem would be buy a factory unlocked phone from apple

gaybitch · 09-08-2011 12:09PM

The reason I would like to buy the iPhone in America is because of its favourable pricing here. Would buying an unlocked factory iPhone not just absolutely defeat the purpose?

Creamy Goodness · 09-08-2011 12:22PM

the prices are favourable over there because you're looking at contract prices! the only way you can get an iphone in america is buying a factory unlocked one from apple. AT&T only sell 'contract-free' iphones which still means it's locked to an AT&T sim.

you've also forgot to factor in vat and customs duty that is due when you land back in dublin.

smtdos · 09-08-2011 12:28PM

Walk into an apple store, ask for an iphone 4 without contract. Start at $450. Works in Ireland with any sim.

Please use the search function.

gaybitch · 09-08-2011 08:35PM

As I mentioned in my OP, I did use the search function but couldn't find anything specific to my query.

As I asked, does anyone have any information on whether AT&T are pre-unlocked? I've heard that without any unlocking procedure, they will work when an Irish SIM is inserted. Does anyone know anything about that?

gaybitch · 09-08-2011 08:36PM

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

you've also forgot to factor in vat and customs duty that is due when you land back in dublin.

Is that substantial/avoidable? I will be paying sales tax here when purchasing it, and when friends have purchased Macs etc in America I have never heard of them paying customs duty.

ironclaw · 09-08-2011 08:40PM

gaybitch wrote: »

Is that substantial/avoidable? I will be paying sales tax here when purchasing it, and when friends have purchased Macs etc in America I have never heard of them paying customs duty.

Bin the box and walk on through customs. I'm not advocating avoiding tax, but in the real world, the chances of you being caught are slim. However if you are, you do have to pay. The onus is on YOU to prove YOU bought it and paid VAT.

CathalDublin · 09-08-2011 08:58PM

gaybitch wrote: »

As I asked, does anyone have any information on whether AT&T are pre-unlocked? I've heard that without any unlocking procedure, they will work when an Irish SIM is inserted. Does anyone know anything about that?

I've seen some very early iphone4's sold were not locked
They should all be locked now

audi a4 2008 · 09-08-2011 09:04PM

dont iphones in america come with sim built in there not like the irish/uk version as in theres no place to slot sim??

Creamy Goodness · 09-08-2011 09:09PM

gaybitch wrote: »

Is that substantial/avoidable? I will be paying sales tax here when purchasing it, and when friends have purchased Macs etc in America I have never heard of them paying customs duty.

there are plenty of threads where everything is worked out including all sales tax/customs/vat.

can't discuss avoiding it as it's against the law and can get boards in trouble.

audi a4 2008 wrote: »

dont iphones in america come with sim built in there not like the irish/uk version as in theres no place to slot sim??

only phones sold by verizon are like this, verizon won't sell you iphone without a contract.

guil · 09-08-2011 09:10PM

thats the CDMA ones that are used on verizon, AT&T use GSM ones just like here

Gingemiester · 18-08-2011 09:32PM

Am currently looking at the same thing while based in the US. The apple store sells Iphone4 unlocked for $649.00. Where do you get them for $450.00 upwards?

Cheers

smtdos · 18-08-2011 10:10PM

Gingemiester wrote: »

Am currently looking at the same thing while based in the US. The apple store sells Iphone4 unlocked for $649.00. Where do you get them for $450.00 upwards?

Cheers

Feckit meant 450euro. Sorry man!

Buying iPhone in America and using it in Ireland

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