I want an Iphone, what should I do?

spillz · 05-01-2009, 08:48 PM

I really want an Iphone, and Im trying to decide what is the best way to go about getting one...
I am American but currently I'm in Saudi Arabia... We do have a provider here that offers the Iphone.... But I'm not sure if its locked or not... and Which version of the software it is... but it comes out to around $640... My wife is still in America however and i tryed to buy a 'like brand new' one, but it turns out the entire back of the Iphone seems like it was inside of a blender, so i returned it...
The other option i have is trying to find a BRAND new one still in the wrapper on ebay, that hopefully has 2.2 so that it can be software unlocked... Which i have seen for around 575-650...
and finally the other option, is getting one from at&t then unlocking it(possibly only with the turbo sim), and canceling the service when i come back to Saudi(because I'll only be in America for 3 months in the summer)...
which kinda seems like the cheapest way 199+175?
Or just finding another used one, that is in really good shape???
Please give me advise if any is available... thanks..

Adam1389 · 05-01-2009, 10:06 PM

It's hard to say what you are going to get with a used one. However, a new one will surly have the 2.2.1 software and baseband upgrade. If you can live with cosmetic defects, as long as the screen and buttons are in good shape, a used one should be fine. Most cases cover it all up anyhow.

danipoak · 05-01-2009, 11:19 PM

Saudi Arabia is civilized enough, I bet if there is an official carrier there it will have the 2.2 software on it. It might not be the cheapest route but if you're not worried about the cost that might be the easiest route to go. What are you doing over there anyways?

spillz · 05-02-2009, 12:07 AM

The official carrier here is called mobily... I'll probably go check out the store in a few days, is there any way of knowing from the outside of the box if the iPhone would be 2.2 or upgraded already?
Well actually I'm in the capitol which is Riyadh, and I'm currently a student at King Saud University studying the Arabic language.

Europa · 05-02-2009, 04:01 AM

If I was there, I'd buy one locally in a heart beat. It would be a factory unlocked phone, which you cannot get in the US (except on ebay). Factory unlocked are better than software unlocked phones because you don't ever have to worry about accidentally locking them with the software updates. You never have to jailbreak or unlock, and you can always do the Apple FW updates as soon as they are available (opposed to waiting for the software unlock, if it is even possible with the FW update). Factory unlocked phones are more expensive, but they are well worth it IMO if you travel outside the US frequently. You can get prepaid SIM cards in the contries you are visiting.

spillz · 05-02-2009, 11:46 AM

so automatically i should assume that the phone is factory unlocked? There is no way that apple locked the phone specifically for this company in Saudi?

spillz · 05-02-2009, 12:34 PM

well it looks like im answering my own question...
The phone that is sold in Mobily is factory unlocked, and this is the apple website with the checklist for the countries offering unlocked phones..
And actually it looks like this will the better way for me... because like i said the phone will cost be about 640 dollars... but that comes with 12 months of service with 75 minutes 75 mms and 200 mb free a month... which is not that bad for this country...Considering that in order to buy 75 mins of talk time you would need to spend like 50 riyals a month which is what I spend normally for prepaid...
And i confirmed on some blogs that in fact the phone can be used on the other networks here...
So i think ill be doing this sometime this week... =)

Here is the website to check the unlocked phones for other networks... in other countries... http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937

Londonrockz568 · 05-03-2009, 12:02 AM

Where in Saudi Arabia are you. You could try making a trip to Qatar, or U.A.E. I know i they iphones there.

Europa · 05-03-2009, 04:30 AM

Awesome, buy it! I wish I had easy access to a factory unlocked phone. I'm thinking about buying one on ebay, they go for a little over $700. They hold their value, so you should be able to resell it in year for the same price you paid for it.