[Matt_C]

I'm sure it can't as it'd be far too easy, but lets say I got a 3G iPhone from Germany, which are all tied to T-Mobile - would I just be able to put my UK T-Mobile sim in it and away I go? Would it a) work? b) work, but no 3G internet, c) work as just phone, no 3G or wifi (can't see wifi not working as this isn't network dependant) or d) just not work at all and just be an expensive iTouch?

I take it from reading the threads in the forum there still isn't a sim/carrier unlock for the UK 3G phone yet?

[Moogle]

Bare in mind that Apple here in the UK will not honour the warranty on foreign iPhones. If anything goes wrong with the phone during the warranty period you will most likely have to pay for the repair or replacement.

[Matt_C]

Thats usually pretty much the same with any form of import - from cars to phones, to computer consoles etc, so thats understood. What I really want to know is, would it really be as simple as getting someone in Germany to buy one from a store (offline) post it to the UK, then I stick my T-Mobile (UK) sim in it and activate over itunes and it all works as it would if it was an o2 registered phone over here ?!!?!? Or would it a) not work, b) work but limited functionality, or c) cost me a hell of a lot of money in roaming charges cos although the sim is UK registered, the phone is not?!?!?

[Moogle]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

Thats usually pretty much the same with any form of import - from cars to phones, to computer consoles etc, so thats understood.

That wasn't really my point. I was referring to the fact that all iPods and Apple computers have a worldwide warranty. Infact pretty much most portable consumer products these days have a worldwide warranty with game consoles the possible exception. With regards to Apple the iPhone due to it's very nature is an exception.

The fact is the iPhone is an expensive device and if anything were to go wrong then you wouldn't be able to get it fixed by Apple under the warranty. This may not be an issue with you but for others it may. I certainly wouldn't buy an iPhone from abroad if I knew the warranty would not be honoured here. My comment was a general one addressed to anyone who reads this thread and not just you.

For reference the policy is clearly stated and posted in all their retail shops.

[Matt_C]

Problem is that the iPhone 3G bought from the UK cannot be used with a T-Mobile simcard, which is what I want to do with it. My only choices are - start a new o2 contract @ £35 a month + £100 for the iPhone, and cancel my T-Mobile contract, of which two penalties arise. 1) It will cost me £350 to cancel my contract with T-Mobile, and 2) pay over £250 per contract term MORE to o2 than I do to T-Mobile for the same service (calls, texts and unlimited mobile internet)

Or £100 for iphone + £35 a month to o2 + the £22.50 a month already paying to T-Mobile = near £60 a month in line rental for 18mths (£1035 for length of term) then *hope* by the time the o2 contract is up that you can software unlock the iPhone 2.0 to run on any network sim.

It does bother me a bit that if it all went wrong I wouldn't be able to get Apple to fix it for free in the UK cos it's an import phone yes, but I can't figure out a way to get the best of everything - something has to give!

Much as I appreciate your input, I'd kinda like to keep the topic, well, on topic - which is;

Would an iPhone, bought from Germany where it is tied to T-Mobile, work with a UK T-Mobile sim card, in the UK, and work a) fully b) not fully, c) not at all, d) incur horrendous roaming charges cos it's not UK registered?

[saracen]

I don't think you would incur any roaming charges as you would have a UK SIM being used in the UK. Roaming happens when you take your SIM abroad rather than just taking your phone abroad.

Just in the same way people going on holiday buy a foreign SIM to make calls from their own phone to save on high roaming charges.

[Matt_C]

I thought this also, but thought it worth an ask.

I have called T-Mobile, and the guy I spoke to was very helpfull, and says he has emailed someone he knows at head office that knows someone in Germany office, so I might get a reply back next week. Who knows, they might even be able to assist me in getting a phone from over there - as I guess they don't wanna lose me to o2, which I think is happening quite a lot now that 2.0 firmware seems to have put a stop to unlocking....

Just thought the knowledgeable peopls on here might have some input on the subject aswell

[Saldawop]

How much is the phone going to cost you?? £350 + ? And you end up with a phone with no warranty.
What phone you got on your T-Mob contract? Could you sell it for a decent amount?
Could you not go onto a lower tariff with t-mob , or lose the unlimited web add on? Then cancel?

[Matt_C]

Got a Nokia N73, bout a year old, so not worth naff all.... And £350 would be fine, and here's why.....

My T-Mobile contract costs me £22.50 a month - I get £60 of usuage from it, and also have web n walk unlimited. o2 contract will cost me £35 a month for basically the same thing. £22.50 x 18 = £405, but £35 x 18 = £630 : a £225 difference.

To cancel my T-Mobile contract will cost me £350, then the iPhone from o2 will cost £100. So over the course of the first o2 contract term, I'll spend £225 over and above what I would have spent with t-mobile, PLUS the £100 for the phone, PLUS £350 to cancel the t-mobile contract, which all equates to £675

So, if I can get an iPhone for say £350 (that'd be nice) then I am £325 better off, I keep my T-Mobile contract and everything is well. Provided the iPhone doesn't go tits up of course...

[Matt_C]

Oh I forgot I already explained that in a post above! Oh well, it's late. But I don't want to lose my T-Mobile tariff, and I don't really want to go onto o2. My T-mobile coverage seems generally better, and the 3G coverage seems better to. Plus I have never had a problem with them, they always sort me out a great deal when it comes to renewals, and in the long run I'm better off...

So I'd rather take a chance by getting a German/Italian/Greek iPhone and see how it goes....

[Saldawop]

Yes, must admit, I have been a T-Mobile customer since they called themselves Mercury.Never had a problem,so was a little wary of changing providers too . Hope it works for you