Unlocked Australian iPhone In Late June?

[MacRumors]

An anonymous source for CNet.com.au claims that Apple will launch the iPhone in Australia in late June with Optus as one of several carriers to support the phone. The source reportedly also hinted that the launch would be for the upcoming 3G version of the phone rather than the current version that uses EDGE for data.

The rumor coincides with rumors earlier in April from MacTalk.com.au suggesting a late-June launch of an multi-carrier iPhone in Australia where existing Apple resellers would all get to sell the phone.

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[matthewlesh]

About time it comes out in Aussie land.. i don't reckon it will be completely unlocked but i'd be very happy to hear its not on Telsra.

[davix]

This may coincide with the opening of Australia's first Apple Store in Sydney, also in late June. Will be a huge event if it is.

Telstra would be dumb not to offer the phone if it is unlocked to any carrier. But they also have alot of competing online products with Apple. I'm with Optus so happy!

[allbrokeup]

Originally Posted by matthewlesh

About time it comes out in Aussie land.. i don't reckon it will be completely unlocked but i'd be very happy to hear its not on Telsra.

HEAR HEAR!!!! Its about time it came out over here. I thought that we had Apple Store (TM) stores in Melbourne (The one adjacent to Federation Square) but i guess i was mistaken.

I am so going to get one of them God Phones

allbrokeup.

[JimenyCriket88]

i cannot wait for the iPhone to be released in Aust. I've been looking at getting a friend to send one over from the US but i was going to wait for the 3G one to come out..... now i can hopefully just get it here in Aust.

anyone know if it'll be available on Vodafone??? i'm guessing that if it's on multiple carriers, it will be...

[paulej69]

Here's a link
http://www.news.com.au/technology/st...014239,00.html

[fastred]

Originally Posted by paulej69

Here's a link
http://www.news.com.au/technology/st...014239,00.html

Yes - it looks like both Australia and NZ will see multiple vendors for the 3G iPhone... great news!

[joeshell383]

Enough already. We get it. 3G iPhone(s) next month with worldwide (major countries) launch.

[samab]

Where does it say that multiple carriers selling the iphones means unlocked iphones?

Multiple carriers can sell sim-locked iphones that are locked to multiple carriers.

[Genghis Khan]

true that

but i already got my iPhone, and am very happy with it


since i got mine, i've noticed heaps of people with them around melbourne. wonder how much this'll affect launch numbers. at the very least it'll mean no queues outside the store the night before...

[sbf74]

I wonder how many are "true" iPhone though..... perhaps more than a few are iTouches in disguise - I know my mate does that with his - sliding unlock and everything

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by samab

Where does it say that multiple carriers selling the iphones means unlocked iphones?

Multiple carriers can sell sim-locked iphones that are locked to multiple carriers.

Understood -- but does that really matter? That is, assuming the main complaint about locked, carrier-exclusive phones is that people have to switch carriers to get the device. But, I can see some situations in which it would be important to unlock the phone -- say someone eventually moves to a new area with poor coverage from the locked provider or even a new country.

Either way, remember that even when the new firmware and 3G iphone comes out it will not stop the hacking. I'm sure the new 3G iphone and new firmware will be cracked and unlocked within the first week after release

[aneks]

Apple will open 3 stores in Australia, two in Sydney and one in Melbourne. They have been telling folks internally that an end of June/July opening is the target.... after 3 delays.

Retail staff will be or have already been sent to the US to train for the opening of the Store and most folks have been tipping that Apple will roll out better iTunes store and iPhones for the release.

The Optus deal and 3G is still very much in the realms of unconfirmed. But a number of factors indicate that it maybe true. Optus do not presently operate an EDGE network, only Telstra, and rolling out an iPhone without one seems to be a bad move.

PS there are loads of iPhones in Australia. When I first brought mine back from the US people where always commenting on it, now I see them everywhere.

[Sijmen]

Originally Posted by aneks

PS there are loads of iPhones in Australia. When I first brought mine back from the US people where always commenting on it, now I see them everywhere.

Same deal here in the Netherlands. Some phone subscriptions even come with an iPhone. Oh, and all those contest where people can win iPhones.

[iBeech]

interesting i want 3G