In a move perhaps likely to ruffle the regional feathers of existing iPhone 3G users tied to exclusive carrier contracts, computer and gadget giant Apple Inc. has begun offering an unlocked version of its iconic smartphone device to the 6.9 million inhabitants of Hong Kong.
Apple Logo. Image: Apple.
According to AppleInsider, the Hong Kong edition of Apple’s official Web site has recently announced the arrival of unlocked handsets via a sizeable “The iPhone you’ve been waiting for ” blurb, which in turn directs duly tempted consumers to the online Apple store, where they can then purchase iPhone 3G units open to any available network.
“iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier,” the Web site explains. “Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation.”
Those prospective customers eager to acquire unlocked iPhone functionality should expect to pay HK$ 5,400 (approx. $700 USD) for the 8GB model, while the larger 16GB model will come attached to a price tag of HK$ 6,200 (approx. $800 USD).
The arrival of unlocked handsets out-of-the-box follows on from the Hong Kong availability of Apple’s iPhone through carrier Hutchison Telecom, which began offering the touch-screen smartphone in July of this year alongside a mandatory two-year contractual service package.
The existing exclusive contract deals see customers paying HK$ 2,938 (approx. $375 USD) for the 8GB model, while the 16GB model costs HK$ 3,738 (approx. $480 USD).
Notably, AppleInsider outlines that, while the cheaper contractually-restricted models are also SIM-unlocked, any usage flexibility is all-but negated until the end of Hutchison Telecom’s unavoidable two-year service package.
In other regional iPhone news, various online sources are indicating that Russian market sales are scheduled to launch on October 03, with the iPhone spread throughout popular retail outlets and available on all three of the country’s leading network providers -- MTS, Vimpelcom, and MegaFon.
“All retailers will begin sales of iPhone in Russia at the same time, during the night between Oct. 2 and Oct. 3,” commented Nadezhda Senyuk, PR director at leading Russian retail chain Tekhnosila, in a Reuters report.
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