Apple offers unlocked, carrier-free iPhone in Germany

Now that iPhone 4 sales in Germany have passed from the exclusive realm of T-Mobile to O2 and Vodafone as well, AppleInsider reports that customers there can also opt for a carrier-free version of the superphone. Apple has previously offered unlocked iPhones in some other countries, including France where the option is required by law. However, this is the first time that Germans have been able to order the iPhone from the Apple store there and pop in whatever SIM card they want.
Unlocked and contract-free phones are common in Europe, and SIM cards with prepaid voice and data buckets are readily available. People that travel overseas on a regular basis often buy unlocked GSM phones and local SIM cards to avoid extortionate roaming rates. Of course, avoiding a carrier commitment doesn't come cheap. An 8GB 3GS will run about US$715 in the German Apple online store or at any of the four brick and mortar outlets in Germany. Fourth generation models will cost $866 or $1,017 for the 16 and 32GB versions respectively.
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Now that iPhone 4 sales in Germany have passed from the exclusive realm of T-Mobile to O2 and Vodafone as well, AppleInsider reports that...
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good day i want to asked maybe you do sales iPhone in this your site because i deal with series of phone in my country and i want to know more information about this with this point i will like you to contact me in e-mail lewissera@yahoo.com hope to hear you soon..... bye
I bought my Canadian unlocked iPhone this summer.
October 29 2010 at 12:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMuch cheaper in Finland. 16gb 589⬠and 32Gb 689â¬.
October 29 2010 at 11:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLet me quote something for you.
"Unlocked and contract-free phones are common in Europe, and SIM cards with prepaid voice and data buckets are readily available."
I could be wrong given that Americans are notoriously bad at geography, but aren't France and Spain European countries?
Freddy, did you mean "obscene *number* of errors"?
October 29 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLet he ever without error cast the first comment...
Seriously...Yes, Sam didn't hit the shift key or maybe missed the error (and any writer will tell you that your own work is the hardest to proofread, because your mind doesn't always register what it sees on the page correctly, sometimes "fixing" it between your eye and your perception).
I'll bet the authors appreciate you pointing out an error. But I also bet they can do without that tone. In other words: it's not what you say, it's how you say it.
As the Human Torch says, "flame on"...
If you live in France you can get a contract phone, and once you are at least 6 months into your contract your carrier is obliged by law to unlock the phone if you request it. I have done this twice with iPhones.. Works a treat!
October 29 2010 at 9:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm assuming that the 41,017 is supposed to be $1,017??
October 29 2010 at 9:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"An 8GB 3GS will run about $715 in the German Apple online store or at any of the four brick and mortar outlets in Germany. Fourth generation models will cost $866 or 41,017 for the 16 and 32GB versions respectively."
You should probably specify what currency you're speaking of, and not randomly mix them up. Saying the 4 is $866 for the 16GB and 41,017 of an unknown currency for the 32GB makes no sense.
Since the dollar sign is on the "4" key, I assumed it was an error in pressing the shift key and the price is $1,017
October 29 2010 at 9:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply@SteverB - Ah, good catch. Hadn't thought of that. Still, it would be good to point out what currency is being used (even though it's pretty obvious that USD is it).
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