Unlocked iPhone 3G heading to Australia from Hong Kong

By Stephen Withers
Monday, 23 June 2008 09:17

Technology

An unauthorised Apple iPhone reseller has promised to deliver unlocked iPhone 3G handsets from a Hong Kong supplier selling for $775 and $875 in the week following the release of the long awaited Apple product in Australia on July 11. The reseller, based in Melbourne, claims to have already sold several hundred original iPhones to Australian customers.

As we reported last week, grey market iPhone web retailer Linelink is quoting prices of $A775 and $875 for the 8G and 16G versions of the unlocked iPhone 3G.

Linelink owner James Robins told iTWire "we're not an Apple Australia reseller" and said the iPhone 3Gs will be sourced from the same Hong Kong based supplier as the "several hundred" first-generation models he has already sold.

The first shipment is expected to arrive in Melbourne in the week following the iPhone 3G's release on July 11.

Robins says he is "very confident" that the new iPhone will be unlocked quickly after its release. If it turns out that the first shipment(s) aren't unlocked, Linelink will provide a free unlocking service for its customers when the secret has been found.

Users who are contemplating getting a grey market iPhone 3G may have to be prepared to wait quite some time before an unlock becomes available. Until then, an iPhone 3G bought without a plan will be little more than a glorified iPod. The first unlock for the original iPhone took about two months to become freely available to new owners.

How many people have said they want to buy an iPhone 3G from Linelink? Read on for the answer.