Get your unlocked iPhone 3G from Hong Kong
Update 29 Dec: Reader Jonathen points out that the Vodafone online store sells the iPhone 3G unlocked and without contract for a better price than in Hong Kong. Details.
It’s settled–the best place to buy your iPhone is Hong Kong (if you’re from Malaysia). Apple Hong Kong has officially made their iPhone 3G available unlocked in the Chinese territory.
Unlike in Singapore, you don’t need to buy a phone plan to get the iPhone 3G. As you can see from the fine print under the select buttons above, you can choose any carrier to activate your iPhone with:
iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation.
What will it cost? Converting the prices in the screenshot above with XE.com
- 8GB: RM2,385.92
- 16GB: RM2,739.36
This option appears to only be available for the online store, so I’m not sure you could just walk into any Apple store in Hong Kong to pick up your iPhone 3G. The best thing to do is probably to ask a friend or relative to buy the phones and pick them up when you visit.
Already in Hong Kong? Here’s a direct link to the Apple Store page.
If you have bought lots of electronics and tried bringing them across borders before, please share how you got around customs and taxes in the comments.
Update: To date, Apple has not announced the iPhone’s availability in Malaysia.
15 Comments
Awesome. The next destination for me to get the iPhone 3G. Thanks.
Any news on wen is Apple officially going to launch this Product here? I would like to get a unit for myself.
Maybe if someone is going there I might get myself a unit.
Hmm… legally, you are obliged to approach the Customs officer that you have items that you need to declare and pay duties on. But you don’t want a lecture on the law, do you?
When coming home from overseas, I have never been stopped by customs officers when I breezily push my trolley past them on the green lane. Maybe I have an innocent face. Maybe it’s because I don’t numerous items of luggage or packages that scream “Stop me, I’ve just returned from a mega-shopping trip!”
I think it’s the latter. Look inconspicuous, and more importantly, ditch the receipts and packaging so your lie, if stopped, that “I’ve had this iphone for 10 years!”, will be more believable.
Dear all,
Is it true that I can buy an unlocked iphone from HK Apple online store and use it in KL? Anyone has done it???
Dear myMacBuzz,
I believe the best place to buy the iPhone 3G is in New Zealand. Because:
Do consider to update this article to keep readers well informed. Thanks.
Johnathen, thanks for your tip. I will update the post.
Hi,
After much anticipation and waiting for the MacWorld KeyNote address, I am finally going ahead with my acquisition of the iPhone 3G.
But, after some enquiries, i came to a “road-block”:
I am planning to buy the unit from Australia. The shop (Optus) will provide the unlock code on the spot (upon payment).
Questions are….
(1) Should I play it safe and have them unlock the iPhone at the store (in Australia) with the code OR do I unlock it once i am back in Malaysia (when connected to my home network)?
(2) Is a SIM required to unlock the iPhone? Or is it unlocked via iTunes?
(3) If a SIM is required to unlock the iPhone, does it make a difference if it is unlocked using an Australian/M’sian SIM?
Would appreciate your soonest response. Thanks in advance !!
Victor, it’s quite ok to buy an locked iPhone if it saves you some money. The crack for the latest firmware is out but it’s always going to be a cat and mouse game of avoiding the latest firmware (and features) until hackers can figure out how to crack it.
Speaking of which, I’m writing a detailed guide on how to unlock your iPhone 3G hopefully soon.
You can also consider buying the iPhone from http://www.iworld.com.my. I think they may be more expensive but personally I would want to avoid the headache of unlocking your iPhone.
Hi blogjunkie,
Thanks for your reply.
Have checked out iworld but find them very expensive… and they have not replied when i contacted them. So, unsure of reliability.
As for hacking/JB the iPhone, i prefer to unlock it so to save me from future inconvenience.
Was just informed that Optus in Australia now unlocks the phone on the spot for you – contrary to the earlier months (since launch) where they SMS the unlock code to you and that has raised many complicated issues. So, my friend will be checking that out before i buy it.
Failing which, I will buy the factory unlocked iphone from HK. It comes unlocked straight away
Hey Victor,
If you go to the Vodafone NZ site, it says there that you can order it online, and it’s already unlocked!
But of course, shipping address to NZ only, and 1 unit per name (or credit card?)
Thanks Johnathen.
Unfortunately, my cousin form NZ was back for hols since Nov last year.
So no one coming back from NZ in the near future
ye, NZ is the cheapest I got a friend who bought it and cost him like RM2800 only. Singapore is slightly higher but roughly the same price with Hong Kong, which is similar to Australia as well, and yes, these are all factory unlocked.
If u don’t wanna get factory unlocked u gotta use turbo sim or pwn it. As blogjunkie sez it’s always a cat and mouse game. Apple keeps their OS and system closed so it is easier to program and write software for it, as well as cut down on OS size.
but don’t forget tho your warranty is tied to the place where u bought the phone. Another place to check is Vietnam. Go google vietnam is iphone unlock you’ll find a shop that actually hacks the hardware chip itself (by opening the iPhone of course) but the unlocks are foolproof as lots of US tourists goto the shop to get their phones unlocked, catch is each new firmware requires a new unlock, which the shop is willing to do for free sometimes.
iPhone 3G in NZ is now about RM2300+ due to weakened currency… just like Australia
to my knowledge, NZ and HK offer “factory” unlocked iPhone… Australia offers “official” unlocked (i.e. codes are sent to you to unlock it… which causes complications and delay at times).
I have decided to get one from HK Apple Online and should have it by CNY
Dont think i’ll wait for my cousin to get one from NZ (in May *sigh*) or longer still, the Mac announcement in Aug/Sep …. if they do announce the 32GB iPhone 3G with video call capability, then hack it… i’ll just get the new one and pass my old one down 
If not for the Jan 5th keynote address, i would have had my iPhone 3G before x’mas last year .. so enuff of waiting.
no way u can stuff the 32GB cause don’t forget part of the space is for the phone chip, 32GB is hard to develop unless u see a 64GB ipod touch
and u lucky bastards – MYR2300?!?! I had to pay 4K!!! but I’m in a different country lol
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