[ppk79]

Hi All,

First post so please be gentle

Been reading all the threads on the iPhone and the unlocking seems straightforward tbh - brings back memories of Sony & the PSP

I'm planning to pick one up from an Apple store when I visit the US next month (Nov) using my US friends CC and address details but I have the following questions if anyone can help please:

1) Will the phones have the new firmware on it 1.1.1 (I think) so it'll be a brick as soon as I unlock it? If so, shall I get my US friends to buy one now for me and I can bring it back next month?
2) I've seen lots of threads about unlocked iPhones working on O2 & Orange, I presume it also works on T-mobile?
3) As long as my itunes options are set not to upgrade the firmware to 1.1.1, the phone will be ok to use on tmobile/o2/orange over here in the UK?

Many thanks for all your help.

[ma1234]

1. 1.1.1 are reported in stores now, you may be lucky if the store hasn't got/had a big turnover and get a 1.0.2 version but I would doubt it. 1.1.1 phones can't as yet be unlocked, they can be 'restored' to 1.0.2 and activated but they will fuction as an ipod with no phone functions yet.
You might want to check this link http://www.profit42.com/iphone/ as it may explain your options better.

2. If you can unlock it the Tmobile with WnW is probably the best network for data to use it on, it should work ok.

3. I have an unlocked 1.0.2 on Voda with itunes 7.4.1.2 and have had no problems synching etc. Just uncheck 'check for updates' in Preferences and it never asks.

Hope this helps.

[ppk79]

Thanks ma1234,

I managed to call a branch in Miami yesterday evening but the lady on the other end said she couldn't identify from the box whether the iPhone was from a new or old batch so I have a 50/50 chance - if it's not 1.1.1 I will be able to use it straight away and if it is 1.1.1, I will only be able to use it as an expensive nano until the iPhone Dev team come through (which I have full faith in).

Anyone have any thoughts on this and what chances I have of getting a non 1.1.1 iPhone from a store in Miami this weekend (through a friend)? Has anyone else just bought one from the US (using the various means available - personally or through someone else) and can verify the version? Anything we could ask staff in order to ensure it's not 1.1.1?

Many Thanks,

ppk79

[ma1234]

There is speculation that the serial no on the box is an indication of firmware revision no. eg my serial begins 7R734... where 34 is the week no of the build. If this is correct it appears that from week 39 it is 50/50 whether it is 1.0.2 or 1.1.1 anything after this appears so far to be 1.1.1.

If you do manage to find a 1.0.2 or lower then you can after activation and unlocking use it quite happily with any SIM bar '3'. If you are unlucky and get a 1.1.1 then you can force a restore to 1.0.2 but for the moment it doesn't downgrade the baseband (radio firmware) this can be activated as above but until an unlock for this new baseband is found then it will function as an ipod Touch.

[ppk79]

Originally Posted by ma1234

There is speculation that the serial no on the box is an indication of firmware revision no. eg my serial begins 7R734... where 34 is the week no of the build. If this is correct it appears that from week 39 it is 50/50 whether it is 1.0.2 or 1.1.1 anything after this appears so far to be 1.1.1.

If you do manage to find a 1.0.2 or lower then you can after activation and unlocking use it quite happily with any SIM bar '3'. If you are unlucky and get a 1.1.1 then you can force a restore to 1.0.2 but for the moment it doesn't downgrade the baseband (radio firmware) this can be activated as above but until an unlock for this new baseband is found then it will function as an ipod Touch.

Nice one ma1234, I'll see if my US friends can check out the serial numbers first.

Thanks again

ppk79