Just got TWO, cost me about Rm1k for each. Ordered yesterday morning from carphonewarehouse.com when the news broke. You have to have a local UK credit/debit card in order to buy as you can't use cash.  Received the phones today, unlocked using ZiPhone and it was easy peasy ...now using my iphone with my other SIM card!

The handset is the same as the rest. Not refurbished or anything. Of course they will tell you u have to sign up for the 18 month contract (GBP35 per month) but if you don't activate it you won't be bound to any contract. U just ZiPhone it and it's an unlocked phone!

Probably getting a third one tomorrow coz fren asking me to buy, but local O2 store no more stock liao...

Things are a bit different with the iPhone for the simple reason that you activate your contract through iTunes. Other phone contracts in the UK are done on the spot, so they'll have your billing details, your signature agreeing to the terms and conditions etc. For the iPhone, you walk into an Apple store, pay and leave. You're not bound to anything until you activate it.

It's the same thing with the iPhone in the US so yes, there is such a simple loophole, how else do you think the sellers in Malaysia are able to stock up on iPhones?

Chongster, I've checked the O2 and carphone package will not bind you to the contract and you could just walk away with the phone. You go into the store, pay by credit card and thats it. no signing of whatsoever documents to sign up the package etc etc.

My fren bought the phone and he didnt use O2 network and he called and checked, they said its OK to do so...guess there are loopholes here and there.