[DigitalEl]

My wife's dog chewed my unlocked original model iPhone last night. To say that I'm upset about it is the understatement of a lifetime. While she's feeling terrible and a hefty tax return is sitting in my checking account, I'm thinking of buying a brand new 3G iPhone unsubsidized. That's $399 USD.

That's similar to what I could get one off of Craigslist for, but even if it's more, being the only owner and unboxing it myself is worth the extra scratch. But first, some questions.

1.) Is unlocking it for T-Mobile as simple and pain-free as with the original iPhones. I had no problem using Quickpwn on my now-chewed iPhone... I even used it again for the 2.2.1 update? Is it just as easy with the 3G?

2.) Have any of you actually walked into an Apple Store, AT&T brick & mortar or Best Buy and bought one unsubsidized. Are they, like, "Thank you, sucker" or do they hassle you about not activating it?

Thanks in advance for your help / advice.

[Salty]

I think it's harder now. Jailbreaking isn't hard, but actually unlocking I can't remember if they did get that easy. You might wanna save yourself the cash and go with an original iPhone, since doesn't T mobile not have 3G? That's the only up side of the device beside a lack of weight. And an original would be much cheaper.

[turtle777]

Since when can you just buy unsubsidized iPhone 3Gs ?

-t

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Since when can you just buy unsubsidized iPhone 3Gs ?

-t

That's what I was wondering. The unsubsidized rate is for AT&T customers not in an upgrade window. Non-AT&T customers are eligible for the lower rate but of course a contract is required.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...phone-info.jsp

[Andy8]

Can buy fully unlocked 3G iPhones from the Hong Kong Apple Store

[Cold Warrior]

True. http://store.apple.com/hk/browse/hom...ne?mco=MTE2NTQ
I guess $700 isn't too much to ask.

[Andy8]

It is expensive, but they sell a lot this way.

People want more choices with carriers here and they get it!

[DigitalEl]

I was at the Apple Store Biltmore (Phoenix, AZ) yesterday and asked about the unsubsidized price. The young Apple employee told me $200 more than the usual price, so $399 and $499. Are you guys saying she's full of it and you can't buy that way?

I wonder if I'd agreed to pick one up at $399 whether the sale would've gone through or would someone who knows more than the girl I talked to have stepped in and said "no deal?"

[edit] The girl probably thought I was an AT&T customer. Maybe I'll go the Craigslist route after all.

[slugslugslug]

Yeah, in the U.S., it's an extra $200 if your ineligible for an upgrade, but still requires a contract extension. Then another $200 on top of that if you don't want a 2-year contract. That's unsubsidized, but I think it's still network-locked. So,

• New or upgrade-eligible AT&T customer: $199/299 with 2-year contract
• Existing, non-upgrade-eligible AT&T customer: $399/499, with 2-year contract
• no contract extension: $599/699. Unsubsidized, but not unlocked.

And for that last bit, I'm not sure if they'll sell it to just anyone, or only existing AT&T customers.