Apple to sell unlocked iPhone 3GS

Apple Australia today confirmed it was directly selling unlocked iPhone 3GS devices in both the 16GB and 32GB models from its own outlets.

The unlocked 16GB device will be sold at Apple stores for $879 while the 32GB model's price tag has been at $1040, Apple spokesperson Fiona Martin told ZDNet.com.au this morning. Customers can only purchase the phones outright via a credit card purchase, said Martin.

Telstra has also finally released pricing for Apple's iPhone 3GS after the device went on sale overnight. The 32GB or the 16GB iPhone attracts a $0 upfront fee on its $150 per month two-year Phone Plan Ultimate, which offers around 2000 "standard voice call" minutes, 2000 text local messages and 150MB data.

Its lead offer has come in higher than Optus' and Vodafone's equivalent options. Optus has offered the 32GB version for $0 upfront on its $99 "Timeless" plan, which includes unlimited national calls, SMS and MMS plus a 1.5GB data pack under a two-year contract. Vodafone's 32GB $0 upfront offer under a two-year deal has been priced at $114 per month and includes 2GB data, unlimited calls, and text. Vodafone also structured its upfront costs as monthly charges.

Telstra's pricing schedule divided its deals into three categories: phone-only, the Phone Plan Ultimate, and its 3G and Next G Cap plans.

Telstra Customers that want the 16GB 3GS on a $30 per month phone-only plan face upfront fees of $349, while customers on $80 per month face a $49 fee. The total cost over two years for these packages range between $919 and $1969, or $6000 on the $250 per month plan.

For the 32GB 3GS on the phone-only plan, the upfront fee ranges from $549 for $30 per month, which drops to $49 under the $100 per month plan. Total costs over two years for these deals range from $1269 to $2499.

Telstra's 3G and Next G Cap pricing under a $49 cap attract an upfront fee of $395 for the 16GB model or $549 for the 32GB model. At the high end, customers on a $129 per month plan face upfront fees of $50 for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model.

Browsing packs are charged separately, ranging between $5 per month for a 5MB allowance, $59 for 1GB and $119 for 9GB. If a pack is not chosen, data is charged at $2 per MB.

Telstra has also outlined a number of other packages.

Find the best Apple iPhone 3GS plans available.


Add Your Comment 18


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goldenglobas1 posted a comment   
Australia

what a samsung mobile phones are functional and beautifully designed cellular phone in the industry!
Samsung Mobile Phones

 

Mikee posted a comment   

Nextbyte Carousel won't sell it unlocked. As they explained it to me they are all sold locked to Telstra. $150 to unlock. He said other stores may have done it because of inexperienced staff, but apparently they can get in serious trouble if they sell it unlocked. Any truth to this I don't know!!

 

Sam K posted a comment   

@ JoshuaD You are wrong.

 

ryuzaki posted a comment   

whats more worth it 32gb or 16gb?

 

Param posted a comment   

This is ridiculous I bought the 32GB out right for $1129 from vodafone where as it is available for 1040 from apple store unlocked. I would have to pay $75 for unlocking as well. I feel this is clear cheating as a customer i need to be made aware of different prices. All vodafone had to say was "we dont knwo how much apple is selling it for"

Do I have a chance of a refund or claim in this regard?

 

hmm posted a comment   

Fair enough then. Strange that Apple tech support confirmed Next Byte's statement that it would be locked. I'll have to talk to them about unlocking it for me if it indeed is locked, since I'm not paying the $150 if I don't have to. Thanks for posting :o)

 

ZennithG posted a comment   

JoshuaD: It's not incorrect, I bought a 32GB earlier today, unlocked for $1040 - just as the article states! And it *IS* a lot faster too.

 

ujen posted a comment   

can you get it unlcoked from apple.com store?

 

@ JoshuaD posted a comment   

Sorry mate, you are wrong as I bought the 32GB outright at $1040 from Apple Store (George St. Syd), no questions asked, I only opened the box at home, insert my old SIM, connected to iTunes and resync to my back up of the old 3G, no network lock at all, the only difference with Pre-paid, aka. lock-in is you don't get a new number and a new SIM, just the phone.

 

I posted a comment   

How much will an old iPhone 3G cost?


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