What You Have to Know When You Buy an iPhone 3G That is Unlocked

There’s a place where you can buy an unlocked iPhone 3G wherein doing so would be completely legal. Surprised? You shouldn’t be if it’s in a region where buying unlocked cell phones is more of a rule than an exception. The region we’re talking about here is Hong Kong, probably the only place on earth where you can freely pick both your phone and your carrier.

Unlocked cellphones explained

The principle behind an unlocked iPhone 3G is very simple. When any cell phone is locked, it will allow you to insert only one kind of SIM card ? the one affiliated with the carrier with which the phone is linked to. Therefore, a locked cell phone can only be used in that particular carrier’s network. When you buy an unlocked iPhone 3G, you will be able to use that phone in practically any network.

In the US for example, if you buy your iPhone 3G from AT&T, then you can only insert an AT&T SIM in it. i.e., you can only use your iPhone 3G on the AT&T network. An unlocked iPhone 3G on the other hand, would enable you to use it with any SIM and hence, on any network.

The rule, not the exception

Hong Kong is known for its penchant for cell phones. And as it leads most of the world in terms of cell phone models and usage, it also stands out with its peculiar cell phone policies. For there, cell phones are bought unlocked. This means, when you buy an iPhone 3G from a shop in Hong Kong, don’t be surprised to find it unlocked. To further prove that this arrangement is perfectly acceptable there, take note that Apple has recently released unlocked iPhone 3G phones in that region.

The catch

There’s one caveat though, the price of an unlocked 3G iPhone is relatively higher there than if you bought one in the US. The reason is because, in the US, carriers like AT&T subsidize the cost of the phone in exchange for locking the subscriber into their network.

How to buy an unlocked iPhone 3G

When you buy an unlocked 3G iPhone at a relatively higher price, you’re actually paying for the cost of freedom; the freedom to choose your own phone and the freedom to select your preferred network.