I just got back from the Czech Republic with two factory-unlocked iPhones, and thought I might post about my experience in case anyone else is searching for information on the process. (I didnt find much when I looked myself.)
Three carriers sell unlocked iPhones in the Czech Republic: Vodafone, O2, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile sells only 8gb phones, and I wanted 16gb, so I can only report on the purchasing procedures at O2 and Vodafone.
I decided to try O2 first, because online, their prices looked cheapest: Vodafone seemed to require ordering a SIM with the phone, whereas O2 listed a price for the iPhone alone. In the brick and mortar stores, however, things worked out just the opposite.
1.O2
At O2, I was able to purchase only one iPhonethe guy said it was only possible to get one per customer, and he entered my address from my drivers license into the computer, so presumably I couldnt have just waltzed into the next O2 and gotten another. I was glad I hadnt left my drivers license at home, which I had nearly done that morning! I was also required to buy a prepay Czech SIMthe sales guy apologized but said it was a rule. The process took about 15 minutes, and the total for the unlocked phone and SIM was 14,190 Kc.
2. Vodafone
My next stop was Vodafone, to try to acquire a second phone for a friend. I expected the procedure would be similar there, but in fact, I simply walked in, asked for the phone, paid for it and left in about 2 minutes flat. No SIM, no drivers license required. The total was 13,977 Kc.
My vote, therefore, goes to Vodafone for iPhones in the CZ. Quicker and less expensive.
Three carriers sell unlocked iPhones in the Czech Republic: Vodafone, O2, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile sells only 8gb phones, and I wanted 16gb, so I can only report on the purchasing procedures at O2 and Vodafone.
I decided to try O2 first, because online, their prices looked cheapest: Vodafone seemed to require ordering a SIM with the phone, whereas O2 listed a price for the iPhone alone. In the brick and mortar stores, however, things worked out just the opposite.
1.O2
At O2, I was able to purchase only one iPhonethe guy said it was only possible to get one per customer, and he entered my address from my drivers license into the computer, so presumably I couldnt have just waltzed into the next O2 and gotten another. I was glad I hadnt left my drivers license at home, which I had nearly done that morning! I was also required to buy a prepay Czech SIMthe sales guy apologized but said it was a rule. The process took about 15 minutes, and the total for the unlocked phone and SIM was 14,190 Kc.
2. Vodafone
My next stop was Vodafone, to try to acquire a second phone for a friend. I expected the procedure would be similar there, but in fact, I simply walked in, asked for the phone, paid for it and left in about 2 minutes flat. No SIM, no drivers license required. The total was 13,977 Kc.
My vote, therefore, goes to Vodafone for iPhones in the CZ. Quicker and less expensive.
)