Problem buying an iPhone

[adione]

Is there anywhere that a sim-free iPhone can be got? I'm thinking this option isn't going to be too cheap though!

u can get an iPhone with no contract signing,
EPIc is selling them, the 3GS 16GB goes for 1040$
(EPIc == local Apple reseller)

Are there any other options?

buy one 2nd hand from the market or even new one:
there're lot of people that renew their contract, get the phone and resell it in the market.

[nakatago]

Mr. Jobs may have seriously overreached with the iPad... the competition is going to be very strong and good... and the brand will be hurt.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/1 ... 33860.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/1 ... 34226.html

I already own an android-based tablet--too bad the company that made it just didn't use enough spit and polish. It's not perfect but the platform shows a lot of promise. With Google's deep pockets and the lessons they learned with the Nexus One, I see Steve taking more potshots at Eric Schmidt.

Just once, I would like to see Apple fail just so Steve will get off his high horse. As somebody else mentioned somewhere, it's the only way Steve learns.

[aster]

I'm not too worried about Google. If anyone wanted to witness Apple's might in the mobile phone sector then you only had to look at the mayhem when M1 and SH introduced the iPhone.

Apple used to let third-parties make Macs a long time ago, and although it looks unlikely it still remains a possibility that they could do a tie-up in the future if need be.

I don't see Google being much of a threat to Apple, I only use them for searching and maps, period. I'm an ex-PC user but when Vista came out I decided to leave the show and migrated to a Mac. I'm so happy I made that move...

[nakatago]

I don't see Google being much of a threat to Apple

A certain guy from Cupertino begs to differ

...no matter what we think.

[Wellman]

Is there anywhere that a sim-free iPhone can be got? I'm thinking this option isn't going to be too cheap though!

u can get an iPhone with no contract signing,
EPIc is selling them, the 3GS 16GB goes for 1040$
(EPIc == local Apple reseller)

Thanks for the heads up. It's a bit pricey, although I did check with Singtel to see how much a contract cancellation would be. $800 was their answer. My search goes on........

[Strong Eagle]

Thanks for the heads up. It's a bit pricey, although I did check with Singtel to see how much a contract cancellation would be. $800 was their answer. My search goes on........

Singtel's price is better than you can do in HK, I think, although you end up with a 3GS running 3.1.3 that is not jail breakable.

[aster]

Australia would have been a good place to get one with the 10% GST rebate, but the Australian Dollar is so high now...

P.S. I really don't like the fact that Apple is "boycotting" flash. That's just not right...

[$Pripps]

I guess there are many "official" reasons why they are boycotting flash but personally I think they are just afraid of all the flash apps, if they allowed flash then the App store suddenly wouldn't be the sole source for apps on iPhone/iPad and they would lose revenue and control over the platform.

[Wellman]

Is there anywhere that a sim-free iPhone can be got? I'm thinking this option isn't going to be too cheap though!

u can get an iPhone with no contract signing,
EPIc is selling them, the 3GS 16GB goes for 1040$
(EPIc == local Apple reseller)

Ok get this, EPIc selling the 32GB 3GS for 1240 dollars.
Checked in Sim Lim and they are selling the same for 1040 dollars.

My worry would be that I wouldn't trust the Sim Lim guys fully. Is it a scam? Is it a second hand phone? What is the forum's thoughts?

[Strong Eagle]

Is there anywhere that a sim-free iPhone can be got? I'm thinking this option isn't going to be too cheap though!

u can get an iPhone with no contract signing,
EPIc is selling them, the 3GS 16GB goes for 1040$
(EPIc == local Apple reseller)

Ok get this, EPIc selling the 32GB 3GS for 1240 dollars.
Checked in Sim Lim and they are selling the same for 1040 dollars.

My worry would be that I wouldn't trust the Sim Lim guys fully. Is it a scam? Is it a second hand phone? What is the forum's thoughts?

Probably a scam. If you were to buy a 3GS from Singtel and immediately cancel, you'd pay about $1200. Other sites advertise new 3GS at about the same price... $1150 or so. Used 3GS would be in the vicinity of $800 for top quality.

So... $1040? At least one or more Sim Lim tricks.
a) It's a fake - might be hard to tell unless you take a 3GS and original packaging with you.
b) They'll sell you the remaining package contents separately... like the charger and the earphones.
c) They'll attempt to add GST on which is illegal... all other things being equal you could put a scare into them and call IRAS about their pricing.

The other thing to be aware of is where the phone came from and how it was unlocked. If factory unlocked, even by AT&T, no problem. But if software unlocked, watch out.

http://www.sgmobile.com.sg/phones

PS: With iPhone 4.0 on the very near timeline, I'd wait.

[Wellman]

u can get an iPhone with no contract signing,
EPIc is selling them, the 3GS 16GB goes for 1040$
(EPIc == local Apple reseller)

Ok get this, EPIc selling the 32GB 3GS for 1240 dollars.
Checked in Sim Lim and they are selling the same for 1040 dollars.

My worry would be that I wouldn't trust the Sim Lim guys fully. Is it a scam? Is it a second hand phone? What is the forum's thoughts?

Probably a scam. If you were to buy a 3GS from Singtel and immediately cancel, you'd pay about $1200. Other sites advertise new 3GS at about the same price... $1150 or so. Used 3GS would be in the vicinity of $800 for top quality.

So... $1040? At least one or more Sim Lim tricks.
a) It's a fake - might be hard to tell unless you take a 3GS and original packaging with you.
b) They'll sell you the remaining package contents separately... like the charger and the earphones.
c) They'll attempt to add GST on which is illegal... all other things being equal you could put a scare into them and call IRAS about their pricing.

The other thing to be aware of is where the phone came from and how it was unlocked. If factory unlocked, even by AT&T, no problem. But if software unlocked, watch out.

http://www.sgmobile.com.sg/phones

PS: With iPhone 4.0 on the very near timeline, I'd wait.

Cheers Strong Eagle. Can you clarify something for me..... iPhone 4.0, is it a new phone or simply an upgrade from 3.1.3?

[Strong Eagle]

Cheers Strong Eagle. Can you clarify something for me..... iPhone 4.0, is it a new phone or simply an upgrade from 3.1.3?

Well... nobody knows nothing fer sure... and some fairly reliable leakmeisters have said the new iPhone hardware will contain the following hardware upgrades.

a) Two cameras, one forward facing for video conferencing. Low probability
b) Maybe a higher res back camera. Hi probability
c) Possibly an AMOLED screen instead of LED backlit, with higher resolution. Hi
d) Maybe a faster processor, at least a bump up from 3GS. Hi.
e) 64 gig storage. Hi - Toshiba making 64 gig chips.
f) Improved graphics chips. Med Hi
g) Wireless N support. Hi

Only the 3GS can be upgraded to 4.0. Obviously the marketing pukes are at work, and want 3G owners to upgrade.

[wcs]

To buy a 32GB iPhone 3GS from Singtel outright with no contract is S$1240.

[nakatago]

Apple fans may want to be on the lookout for this: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/ ... -4g-iphone

[Wellman]

Apple fans may want to be on the lookout for this: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/ ... -4g-iphone

Looks good, I think I'll wait for the new version. However, I get the feeling its gonna be a lot more than 1240 bucks!