macnn
09/25/2008, 4:00pm, EDT
Thursday, September 25th
Apple puts unlocked iPhone on sale in Hong Kong
The iPhone 3G is now on sale directly from Apple in the city of Hong Kong, despite no prior announcements, listings reveal. An 8GB phone is selling for $5,400 HK ($692), while a 16GB model costs $6,200 HK ($794). Notably, iPhones in the region can be "activated with any wireless carrier," according to Apple, and require only that a carrier's SIM card be installed prior to sync with iTunes 8.
In the vast majority of countries, Apple partners with carriers whose SIM cards are strictly locked down, preventing use of an iPhone on any network other than the one it was originally bought for. iPhones are already known to be on sale in Hong Kong through 3 HK, owned by Hutchinson.
Hong Kong's iPhones may prove to be unique to China, as the South China Morning Post claims that a stripped-down iPhone without 3G or Wi-Fi is being prepared for the rest of the country. This would allegedly reflect the Chinese government's favor of a local 3G standard, TD-SCDMA, instead of common protocols like HSPA.
Filed under: iPhone, Apple
Other story tags: iPhone 3G, China, 3, Hong Kong, Hutchinson, 3 HK
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price conversion
Per todays exchange rate the iPhone 3G 16 GB for $6200 HKD = $823.00 CDN and the 8 GB for $5400 HKD = $717.00 CDN. Though this doesn't matter since you need a Hong Kong address with a major Hong Kong credit card to order from Apple or to buy it from 3. I just came back from a trip in Hong Kong and an unlocked iPhone 3G 8 GB can be found for $4500.00 HKD or $598.00 CDN in Mongkok, Kowloon, HK. It isn't software unlocked but instead using the 2008 black Turbo SIM. Though recommend those traveling in that area to keep a close eye on your wallet and iPhone.
Hmmm...
At $600 for a shady unlock from Mongkok, or $120 more for a legitimately unlocked one, I'd rather spend the extra $120 (or, $220, for 16GB) to get one that I don't have to jump through hoops for.
At least it's nice that Apple IS making those available, and I'm thinking that this may be in answer to China Mobile's idiotic request for a crippled iPhone 3G.
Remember Tiananmen Square
"This would allegedly reflect the Chinese government's favor of a local 3G standard, TD-SCDMA, instead of common protocols like HSPA. "
Way to go, Steve. Keep kowtowing to those Chinese pigs. There'll be a special pit in Hell for you when your mystery disease finishes your dictator-loving ass once and for all.