Buying iPhone in the US
January 27th, 2020
Could you please help me in the following issue?
I am planning to buy an iPhone during my visit at the US because it’s definitely cheaper there than here in Scandinavia.
I am a bit newbie in the field of iPhones, so I am not too well informed in these respects:
1) Is it worth considering 2G or 3G version?
2) Is it possible to buy without subscription?
3) What price range should I be prepared for?
4) Will it be possible just to insert my current (refillable pre-paid) 3G SIM-card and will it work with the Scandinavian provider?
Your kind help would be very much appreciated.
1) Here is the comparison chart for the 2G and 3G phones:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/en/2G3Gcomparison.pdf
2) Im pretty sure you can buy an iPhone without a contract yes
3) The new iPhones cost around $300 – $500 depending on how much memory you want.
4/5) Not sure about these questions.
As the Dos Santos answered all the other questions, I will only answer the last. There is currently no way to unlock (use any network SIM card) the iPhone 3G which means you will only be able to use the Official carrier, which is AT&T in the US, I think.
So, currently you will not be able to use your Scandinavian SIM card, only the one that it came with.
OK I had the iphone 2g for about 8 months. I did all the unlocking and jailbreaking myself. I paid $420 with taxex and everything last December for it.
1) Is it worth considering 2G or 3G version? For me, the 2g iphones you can play and install way more options on it. Like gps, and video recording on the 2g. The Newest versions of the iphone firmwares like 2.0.2 and up dont have lots of options yet available.
2) Is it possible to buy without subscription? Its not possible to buy the iphone 3g from the store WITHOUT a cotract, but ebay, and other places sell them without contracts, but the prices are WAYYY too high on those..
3) What price range should I be prepared for? A locked 2g iphone is around 350 � and the 3g is around 500 + on ebay.
4) Will it be possible just to insert my current (refillable pre-paid) 3G SIM-card and will it work with the Scandinavian provider? On the 2g I unlocked it, and was used in Greece. You can just put your SIM card in and it will work. 3g unlocked will probably do the same.
I have got exactly the same problem. I will be on a short visit to the US soon with a plan to buy an iPhone. I would be very thankful for any pointer to any shop in Washington D.C. / Rockville / Bethesda or nearby area, which sells iPhones without subscription. (I have tried Googleing around but found no solution, yet). I’m sure unlocking is possible somehow since some eBayers managed to do it…
Thanks so much in advance.
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I have got exactly the same problem. I will be on a short visit to the US soon with a plan to buy an iPhone. I would be very thankful for any pointer to any shop in Washington D.C. / Rockville / Bethesda or nearby area, which sells iPhones without subscription. (I have tried Googleing around but found no solution, yet). I'm sure unlocking is possible somehow since some eBayers managed to do it...In that Area I dont know, but online like ebay or the best would be to check www.craigslist.com and search that area. I’m sure you will find something there.
Thanks so much in advance.
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Thanks very much to all of you for the info. It doesn’t look so easy but I don’t give up.
Yeah like said, you CANNOT buy an iphone 3g without a contract. Which SUCKS. I was in US a couple of days ago and I wanted to buy one as well. I was very disappointed, but anyways I have a 2g iPhone so it’s not that bad lol
Yeah like said, you CANNOT buy an iphone 3g without a contract. Which SUCKS. I was in US a couple of days ago and I wanted to buy one as well. I was very disappointed, but anyways I have a 2g iPhone so it's not that bad lolHey how much did u pay for it? Akula as in a shark
In that Area I dont know, but online like ebay or the best would be to check www.craigslist.com and search that area. I'm sure you will find something there.
Thanks for your response. I checked the site you mentioned but the 3G prices were a bit shocking… (650$ – 750$)! I think I will give up and compromise with my existing old fashioned mobile phone… -= =-
I think for your situation a 2G iPhone would be your best bet. No telling when the dev team will finalize the 3G unlock method. They have been making progress and if they do get the unlock going, you can sell that 2G on ebay for almost $400 USD, thats what I got for mine on ebay, helped me get the new 3G about a month ago and I love this device.