Apple Store Australia now sells iPhone 3G S outright without any form of contract and unlocked directly from the box! This means that you can use any form of supported foreign SIM cards (for example our local Maxis, Celcom, DiGi et cetera with these iPhone 3G S, without the need of software and hardware unlocking.

please take some time off, to carefully read the following information. they are being stipulated for a good reason.

premium resellers (for example Next byte) are NOT apple (stand alone) retail stores. only apple retail stores carry the outright (and unlocked) iPhone 3G S versions. there are only FIVE apple retail stores in australia and they are:
1. chadstone VIC, chadstone
2. chatswood NSW, chatswood chase
3. doncaster VIC, doncaster
4. robina, QLD, robina
5. sydney NSW, sydney

the exact location can be found here


the prices for 16GB and 32GB are AUD879 and AUD1040 respectively. if you are planning to leave australia within 30 days, you can then proceed to claim the GST (by dividing the total amount of the purchase by 11).
the exact procedure and further information is embedded in the next post; post number 2.


the only form of payment accepted for these purchases is solely based on credit cards and the online store currently does not support such outright transactions. it is also important to note that, each person can only purchase a maximum of five units. two units per day. and as of now, you will need to present a form of identification to purchase an iPhone (for example a passport) (as of 14/07/09)

new update (as of 02/07/09): the australian online apple store, is now taking orders as well. however your credit card needs to be an australian issued and presumably a local address will be needed


to distinguish between unlocked units and vice versa
they are characterised by this circular, white sticker at the back of the box (as shown in the spoiler below)


for assessment of the iPhone 4 inventory level, at an apple store near you, kindly click here



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the ever fluctuating MYR/AUD exchange rates can be found here

frankly speaking, the rates quoted by thestar are typically used by banks.

you can always approach your friendly, local money exchange booths i.e. pengurup wang and use your persuasive skills to obtain the best deal.

or, if you are a customer of privilege banking (for example premier for hsbc, citigold for citibank), they too, can give you better rates.



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mobile phone contracts are strictly for australian residents only (this includes international students with a valid visa)

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jul 31 2010, 04:24 PM

MISCELLANEOUS AUSTRALIAN BOUND iPhone, RELATED ISSUES

Claiming the GST

more information can be found here

- outright purcase/prepaid iPhone 3G S are also entitled to an additional GST claim before departure from the australian airport, provided you fulfill these following criteria:


for example, if i were to purchase a vodafone bound 16GB iPhone 3G S and had it unlocked online, the total price will be (AUD929 * 10/11) + AUD50 = AUD894.54

and with another example, in which i wish to purchase the 32GB iPhone 3G S outright (and unlocked unit) from the apple store, the total price will be AUD1040 * 10/11 = AUD945.45



- to further substantiate my claim, attached below is my actual e-mail correspond with the department.

i asked:


and they answered:





- and apparently, the name on the receipt has to match that of the person claiming. this bit is essentially because for all outright (and unlocked) purchases from the apple store, you can only use a credit card as a form of payment. as you probably know, the name of the credit card holder will automatically be printed on the proof of purchase/receipt




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Unlocking your iPhone from the provider

there are some assumptions to be made here. i'm currently holding an optus bound prepaid iPhone 3G S, however the process across other networks should be the same (as they involve passing your IMEI to apple nevertheless). for further detailed information, you should always refer to your network provider's respective website.

there two scenarios here; where you didn't receive the text message, asking you to restore the iPhone (to be discussed shortly) and vice versa

1. You did receive the text message (most likely scenario)
(a) Make your first phone call and make sure it gets connected. As in, you actually have a quick chat with the other party (on the other line). No specifics on the duration (it could be 2 seconds long, et cetera)
(b) Ring up your provider (most network has a dedicated team handling iPhone related issues and hence it is imperative to dig up for that number)
© Hand over your IMEI number when requested (this can be found on the box et cetera)
(d) Wait for this text message

(e) You must restore your iPhone via iTunes (an extremely vital step!)


1. You did not receive the text message (most unlikely scenario)
(a) Make your first phone call and make sure it gets connected. As in, you actually have a quick chat with the other party (on the other line). No specifics on the duration (it could be 2 seconds long, et cetera)
(b) Ring up your provider (most network has a dedicated team handling iPhone related issues and hence it is imperative to dig up for that number)
© Hand over your IMEI number when requested (this can be found on the box et cetera)
(d) Upon the third day (even though the advised days is 10), and you have not received anything. Proceed to restore it via iTunes nevertheless
(e) You will be pleased to find out that your iPhone has already been unlocked.


Example:
My iPhone 3G S was originally locked to the optus network...


However, upon unlocking, it can now be used with the '3' network!


This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jul 3 2009, 08:02 PM

an excerpt taken from the optus e-mail (quoted from the whirlpool forum)

There's such a buzz about the new Apple iPhone 3G S that we thought we'd give you an exclusive preview of the deals available at Optus.

Get the NEW 32GB Apple iPhone 3G S for $0 upfront
From June 26 you can score a brand new black or white 32 GB Apple iPhone 3G S with Optus for $0 upfront* on the 'yes' Timeless $99 plan over 24 months and we'll include the $14.99 Mobile Internet Pack at no cost to you for 24 months. This plan has unlimited standard local and national calls, MMS and SMS PLUS a stunning 1.5GB of data from the Mobile Internet Pack *.
Hurry: offer is only available for a limited time!

Existing customers
If you are an existing Optus customer, and you want a New Apple iPhone 3G S, make sure you open the emails we send as there is a special offer just for you coming soon.

Want a hot deal on the current Apple iPhone 3G?
From 26 June Optus will still be offering the black 8GB Apple iPhone 3G for $0 upfront on the new 'yes' $59 Cap iPhone plan^ over 24 months – with loads of included value and a handy 700MB of data. Stocks are limited.

How about more downloads?
If you need more data than your cap provides, Optus also offers a range of Mobile Internet Packs starting from a low $4.99 a month+.

'3' is a huge possibility due to its upcoming merger with vodafone.

i know that it is being stipulated in their website, but until it is in black and white, i wouldn't harbour my wish on them 100%

just like the 3G version, there were so much rumours that '3' will carry it and it turns out to be some hocus pocus.

but if '3' were to carry the iPhone 3G S, it is likely for it to have the best deal in the market.

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 22 2009, 07:02 PM

with '3', i believe that you can only use a partial of your "pretend money"

but with virgin, you can use the "pretend money" completely.

if you could be so kind, can you please point out the exact link which says so? cheers

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 10:56 AM

because when i attempt to select the caps "manually", i am still able to checkout a 16GB iPhone 3G black without any data bundle.

if you wanna be extremely safe, go up to a virgin shop/booth on the high street.

if everything seems fine, you can go ahead and sign up for one.

@ n20nine

to me, '3' has the "bad" impression on me (just like those typical prom night flashbacks... adui!), carried forward from my years in the uk.

back then, '3' is really bad (central london coverage is terrible and rumour has it, that '3' didn't sign up an agreement with celcom. which explains why malaysian students on '3' couldn't send text messages to the celcom network and that lasted for quite a while)

it also actually painful to see how they scoop/degrade themselves so lowly. my senior actually got a contract with a free nokia phone (after taking into consideration the monthly cashbacks) for only 9 pounds/month with abundant of minutes. of course, for those who love a bargain (albeit the bad service) wouldn't complain much.

but of course, the '3' in oz and HK (for obvious reasons) are nothing like that.

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 04:52 PM

apparently telstra pricing plans are up. however it is obtained from internal sources and since it is subjected to speculations. i will refrain myself from posting it up, until the plans are in black and white


stay tune guys!

but it is believable la IMHO.

telstra is known to be more expensive than optus and i'm cool with the extra few hundred bucks (afterall you are paying for a more reliable network)

i'm just not cool with the AUD150 unlocking fees. 150 just to update an IMEI on the iTunes database? come on...

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 07:11 PM

@ al3p

yup. i saw that earlier, but i'm reluctant to post speculative items like that; especially if it is deemed to be confidential.

all those law units that i took, are sufficient to intimidate me. heh!

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 07:23 PM

yes. provided that you are on an optus contract, the unlocking process should be free.

yes. you can continue using the iPhone with optus or any other carriers (assuming the unlocking process has been completed)

@ neekun

gua tak tau man.

but whatever price that you see on telstra's, just remember to add AUD150 unlocking fees to obtain your final price.

anyway, with this list, rumour has it that telstra will be the only one selling outright i.e. prepaid.

are you referring to this one?

if yes, then it is a good read, because it teaches one on how to sell an iPhone 3G S!

even an amateur, can be a pro with this pdf! LOL

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on an educated note, telstra has the right to charge extortionately (in all aspects) because it is the dominant player in oz and can provide undisputed coverage and quality. their 3G speed can make you go crap in your pants; what optus/virgin can do, telstra can do it in half.

you get precisely for what you pay. nothing more nothing less

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 08:59 PM

oh by the way, there is something in which i can add.

should a network, decide to sell the iPhone 3G S outright/prepaid, you are entitled to claim 10% off for the GST at the airport (provided the date of purchase is less than 30 days before the date of departure from oz)

but if it is on a contract, then i reckon it is a no go as you need a proof of purchase for such reimbursements.


easy. extremely straightforward.

go find a malaysian student who is extremely home sick (or has a boyfriend/girlfriend back home). these people will kill for minutes to call home. they won't give a tiny rat arse about these stupid/silly iPhones.

and i'm not fabricating this up as i have seen such cases.

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 09:08 PM

everyone is entitled to such claims, including students (i have an e-mail from the customs department to prove this)

except for people like stringfellow and his kind la, of course *cough cough*

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 09:10 PM

i doubt so, to be honest.

the receipt will be in a complete mess i reckon. they will need to issue a few receipts like termination fee, handset price, contract payments et cetera.

i don't see how it will work.

the rule says that the claim has to be in one receipt, of least AUD300.

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Added on June 23, 2009, 9:17 pmhence, that's why i reiterated in my previous post; outright/prepaid purchases.

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jun 23 2009, 09:17 PM

can can.

if you can convince the custom officers over the airport, you will have no qualms of course.