US bought iPhone 4 Locked?

[tiandup]

Is the iPhone 4 locked only to US networks if you buy it over there or can you also use it on a SA network. My dad is going to the US and i would realy like one of them :wtf:

 

[EchoZA]

Yes it is locked (if bought in the US from a provider) May be better off getitng on locally as you will have the local "support"

 

[tiandup]

Yes it is locked (if bought in the US from a provider) May be better off getitng on locally as you will have the local "support"

So ones bought at an apple store for eg are unlocked?

 

[Synaesthesia]

Still Locked. You have to get one from Canada or Europe/UK. It can be unlocked but that's a mission.

 

[tiandup]

I read on apples' site that if you buy an iPhone you also need an AT&T contract. So theres no way to buy the phone only in the US?

 

[rajharie]

You're better off taking a contract here. You have to get a contract with AT&T in the US and its locked which is not worth the hassle. The contracts here are cheaper in any case. R379 on MTN with R200 airtime, 25 SMS' and 150Mb data. If you break it down,
Airtime: R200 (can use for voice and SMS and Data when the bundle runs out)
Data: 150Mb @ R100
SMS: 25 @ 0.50c each = R12.50

Total Network Access Value = R312.50 per month
Total Monthly Payment = R379
Subtract the above = R66.50 which is the monthly premium for a 16Gb iPhone 4
Over 24 Months = R 1596

 

[Synaesthesia]

You can buy one prepaid. For $599. It's still network locked to AT&T. Its anyway the only carrier that iPhones work on in the USA.

 

[slumdawg]

its network locked, i have 1(iphone 4 4.1 02.10.04) at&t locked, waiting on 4.2 to be released to have it unlocked.

 

[rapidblue]

Stay away from iPhones in the US - LOCKED!!!!
If you really want to get one abroad then look at Canada/UK/Hong Kong/Australia (unlocked from their Apple Stores).
But like everyone said - contract deals here are pretty decent at the moment...