German iPhones Unlocked by iTunes

[MacRumors]

MacNotes.de (German) provides early notes and experiences from customers who have bought unlocked iPhones in Germany.

The first SIM-unlocked iPhones went on sale in Germany on November 21st with a considerable (600 euro) premium over the usual SIM-locked iPhones. "Unlocked" simply means that the phone is not tied to any one network provider (such as AT&T or T-Mobile) and can accept any SIM card.

The unlocking process is as follows: You simply buy a regular iPhone ("locked") and pay the additional premium (999 euro total). Your iPhone's IMEI number is recorded and sent to Apple. After 24 hours or so, Apple's database is updated. At this stage, once you connect your iPhone to iTunes, the iPhone is automatically unlocked in a process that is described as taking only "seconds". You can then proceed to sync your now-unlocked iPhone with iTunes. The firmware remains at version 1.1.2 after the unlock. The process raises a number of questions and also opens the possibility of unauthorized unlocking solutions to become readily available.

The sale of unlocked iPhones in Germany was forced by a temporary injunction against T-Mobile, and could potentially be overturned at a future court date.

Regardless, Apple is required to offer unlocked iPhones in France after 6 months according to French law, so the infrastructure must remain available in iTunes. The iPhone will launch in France on November 29th.


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[DesertFox]

That is some very good news!

[thevofl]

I say sell them unlocked here in the US as well. They can sell them for $1199. Being an AT&T customer, it will be interesting to watch the reaction.

[koobcamuk]

Originally Posted by DesertFox

That is some very good news!

It's not long now

[Doctor Q]

I've been curious about how unlocking works. This answers a few questions, but raises some more.

[djearlybird]

wow.......just wow

[redkamel]

holy shnikes!!! 999 euros!!! I cant believe people will buy it (probably wont)! I BARELY bought it at the first price! the 399 is acceptable...but 999 euros!!! (blink blink) thats more than a macbook in the US!!! Steves gone mad!

[raskar]

I would love to get one, but with the current price.. not for me

[cxc21]

It would be really stupid to pay the $600 premium right now. The injunction won by vodafone against t-mobile-only-iphones also means that t-mobile has to unlock every iphone sold after Nov 19 if the customers wants it. For free, even those which sold for Euro 399. Get your iphone in Germany as long as it lasts.

[tirerim]

Originally Posted by cxc21

It would be really stupid to pay the $600 premium right now. The injunction won by vodafone against t-mobile-only-iphones also means that t-mobile has to unlock every iphone sold after Nov 19 if the customers wants it. For free, even those which sold for Euro 399. Get your iphone in Germany as long as it lasts.

Well, they have to unlock the phone, but I don't think that means they have to let you out of the contract you signed up for you when you bought it. You'll wind up paying more for the contract than the extra €600 to just get it unlocked without a contract.

[goosnarrggh]

Originally Posted by tirerim

Well, they have to unlock the phone, but I don't think that means they have to let you out of the contract you signed up for you when you bought it. You'll wind up paying more for the contract than the extra €600 to just get it unlocked without a contract.

The German lawsuit is based on a claim that there's a German law which allegedly requires that for every (cell phone+service contract) bundle, there must be an option to decouple the bundle and choose to purchase the hardware and the service contract from different companies.

If that is true, then IMHO it stands to reason that if you purchase the €999 iPhone, there will be no contract, and thus no need for an early termination buy-out.

Oops, I just re-read what you wrote, and now I don't think you were actually saying what I thought you were as I was writing this...

[redkamel]

I dont understand how you are "paying the 600 euro premium" over the two year life of the contract, since you have to pay for cell service anyways, whether its locked or unlocked.For example: I pay 399 for my iphone, now I pay 65 a month for service w/ ATT. I pat 999 for my iphone, now I pay 65 month with T mobile.

It works out to 25 euros a month (for two years equals 600 euros). So unless your preferred carrier is 25 euros a month cheaper, you arent paying a premium in the plan.

I think unless you get a lower carrier rate for using your own phone, or a higher carrier rate for a subsidized phone, I dont think the math some of the people here are using works out. Correct me if I am wrong, please.