Filed under: iPhone
iPhone in 29 new countries; unlocked in Hong Kong
Our sister site Engadget reports that Apple is now offering unlocked iPhones in Hong Kong via its online store. HK$5,500 (≈ US$700) will buy you an 8GB model, HK$6,200 (≈ US$800) gets you 16GB.
The Apple Store's terms and conditions limit sales to individuals in Hong Kong only, but who knows what the gray market will bring.
Three Russian carriers will also begin selling unlocked iPhones on October 3, with the 8GB model selling for over US$900.
In related news, 29 new countries will begin selling the iPhone, some today: Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Turkey and Venezuela.
[Via IGM.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fabio said 2:00PM on 9-26-2008
It's wrong, all that countries are not getting the iPhone 3G today. Where is the source of the news? I have confirmation only from Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, South Africa and Brazil.
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Robert Palmer said 2:05PM on 9-26-2008
You're right -- the Fortune article linked mentions the countries you confirm, and lists the others as "coming soon."
I've adjusted the article accordingly. Thanks for the catch!
Muzz said 2:06PM on 9-26-2008
Yup, came out today in South Africa. Look how we're getting ripped off with regards to data usage:
http://www.vodacom.co.za/iphone/deals.jsp
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Jon said 2:22PM on 9-26-2008
yeah! R6400 for a 8GB on Prepaid is ridiculous. R560 for a basic contract p/m. It's even locked. Who the hell will buy the iPhone here?
The unlocked one in Hong Kong is R5600. Vodacom, please wake up. 1. reduce the price or you'll just get stockpiles of iPhones and 2. kill that meerkat.
Fabio said 2:10PM on 9-26-2008
Also Luxembourg joined with VOXmobile
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Alastair said 2:55PM on 9-26-2008
What does that mean ? Will we get the iPhone in Lux soon ?
Guillermo said 2:17PM on 9-26-2008
No sign of iPhones on any of Venezuela's three carriers.
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dzhiurgis said 2:29PM on 9-26-2008
iPhone launch at Vilnius, Lithuania.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30917816@N08/sets/72157607494072280/
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Sergio said 2:31PM on 9-26-2008
And here in Brazil a prepaid iPhone that is still locked will cost more than 1400 USD. We're ridiculous.
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Sergio said 2:36PM on 9-26-2008
And just do mention: the cheapest iPhone we have here in Brazil costs 485 USD with an one year contract with a 315 USD monthly bill. Awesome!
SaudiMac said 2:59PM on 9-26-2008
Saudi Arabia is still waiting for the iPhone 3G deal, but, thanks to the fine folk at Hong-Kong/Australia/etc stores are already importing gray market iPhones and selling them before any official deal.
Apple needs to make a deal with any of the 3 carriers Saudi Arabia; STC, Zain and Mobily. All 3 have a 3.5G network already covering the country.
I bought a first gen US iPhone and unlocked it, unfortunately I will do it again with the iPhone 3G because I cannot wait for official release as there are no announced plans!
Khaled.
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James said 3:41PM on 9-26-2008
In Panama, nothing yet....typical, Panama is a screwup country, so it figures......too bad I'm stucked in this hellhole.....anyone wants to come live here? Real estate developers from Panama say it's almost like being in heaven.........and we are the most corrupt country in LA after Cuba and Venezuela, we rank 87 in honesty.....
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Raphael said 3:45PM on 9-26-2008
Aw man!!! Brazil is not in the list anymore.
T-T
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frogbat said 4:11PM on 9-26-2008
nothin announced in malta... dunno if i'll get one but i deffo want the app store for my ipod touch
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Fernando said 4:12PM on 9-26-2008
You know James, if you don't like living in Panama you either try to do something to fix what you think is wrong or go whine someplace else.
But back on topic, I'm really excited about this.
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Shawin said 4:51PM on 9-26-2008
Mauritius? Well there's no news here from either of the carriers...
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Rafa Prada said 6:55PM on 9-26-2008
Why are we always f**** in Brasil? Did you guys see the prices over there?
If the Canadians think that their plans are terrible, wait until they see ours! It's a ripped off!
Only 2 wireless providers with iPhone 3G available: Claro and VIVO.
CLARO (most basic plan): subscribers who sign up for a 12-month contract can purchase an 8GB iPhone 3G for about US$1,093 (R$1,999 BRL) or a 16GB model for around $1,257 ($2,299 BRL) when choosing a US$49.93 ($91.29 BRL) per month service plan that includes 200 basic minutes, 100 text content messages, 100 MB of data usage.
VIVO (most basic plan): subscribers who sign up for a 12-month contract can purchase an 8GB iPhone 3G for about US$820 (R$1,499 BRL) or a 16GB model for around US$978 ($1,789 BRL) when choosing a US$34 ($63,63 BRL) per month service plan that includes 50 basic minutes, 50 heart-to-heart minutes, 100 text content messages, 250 MB of data usage.
Oh, all the iPhone 3G are locked.
Brazil: the most expensive iPhone 3g in the whole world!
Please, Steve Jobs: unlock all!
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Tim said 1:56AM on 9-27-2008
I found it baffling that Apple stills tries to expand to new markets when it is not able to provide enough supplies for the existing.
I live in Denmark, one the Countries which was among the first to get the 3G. It still takes 3-4 weeks before you can get an iPhone, because of short supplies.
When you already got your mouth all full and barely manage to chew .. maybe prospone the next bite a couple weeks .. months .. whatever it takes.
t
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Jash Sayani said 6:00AM on 9-27-2008
29 countries, nice! But in how many countries are people actually buying it ?
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ill-tempered said 6:43AM on 9-27-2008
Not Selling in Malta yet... Just heard it might be available in October/November but nothing confirmed...
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