08-20-2008, 05:23 AM

Hi guys,

I am a non-US Citizen but will be visiting San Francisco and Los Angeles in mid september. Is it true that I can only buy an iPhone from a telco provider (AT&T) with contractual obligations? Meaning I have to be on a subscription plan with AT&T for a fixed period of time contractually before they will sell me an iPhone. In addition, its going to be a locked phone. True/False?

Am I able to buy a new iPhone 3g without contractual obligation and one that is unlocked?

txs for your advice.

08-20-2008, 07:37 AM

True and true. If you want one unlocked and without a contract I think you're going to have to go through something like ebay - but be careful if you do.

08-24-2008, 06:02 AM

Because of local laws, Apple is obliged to make unlocked iPhones available in both France and Germany. In France, Orange (a subsiduary of France Telecom) sells them with and without contract and in Germany it is T-Mobile.

Apparently the French phones are around €100 cheaper than in Germany.

Users in the UK have bought phones in France and simply inserted their UK sim card of choice...

Trying to find out whether the 3G iPhone is available in France in the same manner but I assume it would have to be.

Anything that avoids being tied to the liability that is O2 in the UK has to be worth investigating, even if it's not as cheap as a US purchase.

08-24-2008, 08:22 AM

Ok, I have exactly the same issue - so if you buy at AT&T it's obvious that you have to get one with a contract, but how does it work if you buy at the apple store? do you sign the contract there in the store? I've heard it's like you need to get the activation yourself in AT&T store. If anyone could help me that would be great...

08-24-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by neil82

Ok, I have exactly the same issue - so if you buy at AT&T it's obvious that you have to get one with a contract, but how does it work if you buy at the apple store? do you sign the contract there in the store? I've heard it's like you need to get the activation yourself in AT&T store. If anyone could help me that would be great...

It is the same thing if you buy it from the Apple Store. You need to agree to a new contract or extend your current one even if you buy it from the apple store.

08-24-2008, 09:50 AM

When you buy it they need a US social security number so they can check your credit. So if you don't have one you wont be able to buy a phone here from an AT&T or Apple store. Also you need a US Credit card and address. So your pretty much out of luck.

08-24-2008, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by fyrman22

So your pretty much out of luck.

It does seem like it... Thanks anyway...

08-24-2008, 06:34 PM

buy one on craigslist or ebay and do a local pickup.