Expansys UK offering unlocked iPhone

Hmmm, this is interesting. While the whole European iPhone carrier mess gets sorted, Expansys has gone ahead and listed a "network-unlocked" iPhone for their English punters. There's no price or delivery on the 8GB model which makes the pre-order button a bit dubious. Still, the quad-band GSM / EDGE phone looks every bit the peer to its US colonial cousin only with the promise to work with a SIM card from "any UK or European GSM provider." Do you know something we don't Expansys or is this just wishful thinking?

Update: Expansys updated the site, gone is the paragraph regarding the unlocked SIM. Now back to your hacking stations, please.

[Thanks, Marc G.]

[Tim Abbott @ Jul 18th 2007 7:09AM]

Yes.

Do you think this would work in Australia?

[Taylor @ Jul 18th 2007 7:48AM]

If it's network unlocked then sure. You could use it anywhere where they support the one of the quad-band frequencies.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 18th 2007 11:26AM]

Another example of PWNAGE the Apple SIM Lock Lab Coats ;^)...
“Now back to your hacking stations, please” Bitches!!

[Cole @ Jul 19th 2007 3:11AM]

I am still going to wait for 3G version because I am sure as hell not going to use slow 2G connection or worse, join Telstra (which is the only one that provides EDGE)

[Robin @ Jul 22nd 2007 9:47PM]

Hi,

I am wondering the same thing. I want to buy a iphone from china and they claim it to be unlocked. I am with aapt a im a bit sus about this what do you think? Will it work here in australia?

[Jakob @ Jul 18th 2007 7:11AM]

Wired? The Danish Expansys site; don't claim anything about network unlocked.

[BFish @ Jul 18th 2007 7:22AM]

If changing the url to expansys.fi, you end up to error page where is list of markets where these dudes plan to start selling ?

iPhone released globally by this hack ? =)
--
http://www.expansys.fi/error.aspx?exit=15&data=147638

eXpansys China (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys Cyprus (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys Hong Kong (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys Ireland (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys Malta (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys Singapore (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys South Africa (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))
eXpansys UK (Apple iPhone (UK, 8GB))

[stoo @ Jul 18th 2007 7:19AM]

It's just the standard text they use for any phone they sell..

I'm still not sure how they plan to get hold of the phones when Apple will only be supplying O2 and CarphoneWarehouse in the UK..

In fact, their American arm doesn't even stock the iPhone..

[Rohan Putter @ Jul 18th 2007 7:28AM]

Expansys are always doing this, they "had" the SE K800i available for order three months before it actually was... Total bunch of morons, I wouldn't waste any time wondering what they are up to!

[engadget @ Jul 18th 2007 8:00AM]

What's wrong with advertising a pre-order a phone? They've done nothing wrong as far as I can tell.

Saying it's unlocked is perhaps jumping the gun but as pointed out, UK regulations will most likely require the ability to unlock the phone (though that's an obligation on the operator not the retailer).

Personally I'd want it unlocked and not bound to any contract. Whether they can legally do that is another matter as Apple insist on the contract (but can they legally do that in the UK, that's the question?).

[stoo @ Jul 18th 2007 10:43AM]

Because they're offering a pre-orders on an item they're not even sure they can get hold of yet?

[Rohan Putter @ Jul 18th 2007 11:24AM]

As Stoo says, they present everything as something they can definitely fulfill... When I was looking for my K800i it was advertised as being available. I was skeptical, but followed it up anyway and sure enough they were actually taking a pre-order and deposit while they were still unsure which networks in the UK were going to carry the phone.

I too would like the phone unlocked as I have with all my phones... Unfortunately this is often difficult to achieve here in the UK, especially within your contract period...

[Fred @ Jul 18th 2007 5:46PM]

As a UK citizen can I clarify that UK phones are *not* required to be unlockable by UK law, and in fact, Orange and Vodafone (2 carriers here) sell the majority of their phones locked to their carriers. If you look again at the linked site you will see that the unlocked text has been removed.

[Per Eriksson @ Jul 18th 2007 7:30AM]

Its not unusual (in Sweden atleast) that pre-orders are made avaible before the price is official. If the price is too high when it is made official you just cancel your pre-order.

[Sageco @ Jul 18th 2007 7:31AM]

Is this even legal?
I wonder how apple will react it, should be interesting to watch.

[Karan @ Jul 18th 2007 9:45AM]

I believe the general consensus is that not only is it legal, in the UK it's required by law to be unlockable.

[Sageco @ Jul 19th 2007 4:41AM]

Then its very nice indeed. Wish it was like that here in Ausland :P

[Jess Atkins @ Jul 18th 2007 7:31AM]

Expansys are not the only ones offering SIM Free iPhones. A quick search found these guys offering the 4GB and 8GB versions too : http://www.devicewire.co.uk/Apple-iPhone-8GB

[jilie @ Jul 18th 2007 7:32AM]

breaking news!

[Cabbage @ Jul 18th 2007 7:33AM]

In the UK, network operators must unlock phones at the request of their customers, although they are allowed to charge a small fee:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock#Laws_on_SIM_locking

Hence, if the iPhone is going to be sold in the UK, it must be possible for customers to get it unlocked.

[Jesse S @ Jul 18th 2007 8:28AM]

Isn't that also true of US law?

[Fred @ Jul 18th 2007 5:51PM]

if you actually read the Wikipedia article it says nothing about UK carriers having an obligation to provide unlockable phones - it simply says carriers *may* charge a fee for unlocking the phone - not that it must be possible.

[Cabbage @ Jul 18th 2007 7:30PM]

OK, slightly more authorative:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/Oftel/consumer/advice/faqs/mobfaq3.htm

You're right, they aren't legally required to provide unlockable phones. However, I imagine this would be a difficult issue with ofcom and trading standards if your expensive iphone could never be used on another network after your contract period is over. Of course, Apple could issue firmware updates a year or so down the line with the option of unlocking, but that is essentially what unlocking is anyway.

[Jakob @ Jul 18th 2007 7:34AM]

But if they eg. choose Orange as tele-supplier; what about these contries that doesen't have this. In Denmark, Orange was bought by Telia 3-4 years ago. Vodafone has also another name. Or they customize the tele operator, to the area?

I just hope they choose Vodafone, Orange or Telenor in Scandinavian?

[Fred @ Jul 18th 2007 5:56PM]

The carrier in the UK is O2 - they outbid all the other networks.

[Canestrini @ Jul 18th 2007 7:37AM]

In Sweden big national tech stores even twists it's products, take a look at the LG Prada from Elgiganten.se via "Redaktionen":

http://forum.macworld.se/blogg/20070618/elgiganten-saljer-iphone/

[Jakob @ Jul 18th 2007 7:38AM]

And no, I don't think it's illegal to preorder a phone. At least as one says, don't in Scandinavian :D

In DK it's possible to get the phone unlocked before the 6 months, for a fee; 65€.

[mvm @ Jul 18th 2007 7:44AM]

All new phones from whatever source appear on these sites, its good PR for the site...hence the free publicity from your site!

[Singh @ Jul 18th 2007 8:13AM]

Was it the Norwegian guy who hacked it as it was said in this post: http://www.gadget9.com/2007/07/09/iphone-hacked-by-a-norwegian-hacker/

[kelly @ Jul 18th 2007 8:43AM]

I'm so ignorant.

Will this work with CDMA? I'd love to unlock an iphone and make it cdma. Yes, I know, Verizon sucks and I hate them. I'm just curious.

[Karan @ Jul 18th 2007 9:46AM]

no - CDMA is a different technology altogether.

[Adam @ Jul 18th 2007 8:43AM]

Unfortunately it's true, Expansys allows you to pre-order phones that never even get released. I like their site and they offer many hard to find things, but sometimes they get a little overzealous.

[Paul Chan @ Jul 18th 2007 8:45AM]

lol
they've since remvoed the section about it being unlocked on the website!!

[Mathew Hillman @ Jul 18th 2007 8:49AM]

These are also claiming sim free iPhone for the UK. I really hope its true as its the only way I'm going to buy one is if I can use my current PAYG sim.

http://phones2udirect.co.uk/Products/type/phones/ProductID/7817/NetworkID/280

[Muzo @ Jul 18th 2007 8:52AM]

wishful thinking

[totalrise @ Jul 18th 2007 9:10AM]

in most european countries the operators cannot tie the customer as in US. they must allow the phone to be unlocked (they can charge a fee for it though, but not a reasonabble fee).
it goes the same way as the mobile number portability, or roaming charges being scrapped/lowered this summer: customer protection through customer's choice and freedom.
in comparison to corporate protection through lobby's.
however apple will play with the activation and obligation to use the itunes. so you must use your operator, as they will only link the choosen operators to that.

I can't wait to see the first complaints to european courts against apple for doing so: same as the IPOD, and the laws passed to freeing customers. when you buy a song it is separate ffrom the player and apple must allow now their itunes songs to play on other devices.

EU not only slapped Microsoft a lot, it will also (and already did) slap apple.

hehe: yet a lot more stories about iphone to read in engadget then :)

[pito189 @ Jul 18th 2007 9:24AM]

I have always been confused by the Ipod and iTunes thing. Who is forcing European consumers to use those services? I could understand that if Apple bought up all the mp3 players and the only one available were their products. But no-one is forcing the EU consumers to use that stuff so what is the deal?

[bobjoe @ Sep 1st 2007 10:46AM]

pito189, the EU isn't forcing Apple to do business in Europe either. but they want the market, so they play by the rules.

[Dennis @ Jul 18th 2007 9:30AM]

I can't see the whole third paragraph in Expansys now. Was it removed?

[totalrise @ Jul 18th 2007 9:44AM]

Pito,
I agree with you on that fact.
if you read my comment correctly you will see the diference:
when you buy a song, you pay for the Rights to listen to this song.
if it is tied only to a single player, then you get a restriction to that right, that is not intended on the original definition (not amended)
in that case, and with Apple having a quasi monopol on digital music, which is great, it allows it to impose their own will to the coonsumers, even against customer's benefits. that is wherre the administration bodys are here to prevent that from happening, as they did with Vista, or with selling websites that removed all responsability on their side in their small prints, or the 7 days free of charge order cancellation in france when you buy online.

mainly the song is not the player.

how would you feel if, when you buy your milk in Wal mart, to be obliged to play ONLY through a 16% fee loan from Wal Mart.
or to buy your petrol, you can only use it in a toyota car, and nothing else.

mainly, it has been decades, that in europe the tendency is to forbid companies to FORCE sales though bundles, and to be picky, an example is: if you need one single AAA battery, and the shop only sells pack of 4 batteries, you are allowed to open it, and buy one, up to them to price it accordingly. they cannot force you to buy more or to tie a sale to another one.

[Steve Paine @ Jul 18th 2007 10:02AM]

Good publicity stunt!

[Jeff @ Jul 18th 2007 2:05PM]

Expansys offers preorders on just about anything that's announced. They. Are. The. WORST. If it isn't in stock, don't bother. They use the luck fulfillment method. If you get what you ordered, you're in luck! Items ship late or not at all. What you get is often a different version than what was advertised (E.G. advertised as unbranded yet a branded version is shipped). They have local sites everywhere that assure consistent lack of quality service. *NOT* a fan.

[Robin @ Jul 22nd 2007 9:53PM]

Does anyone know if the iphone will work in australia with any provider? Im gonna get it from china unlocked at least that what tthey say? i dont know some one help plz lol:_)

Robin

[Tim @ Jul 25th 2007 8:35AM]

Well Engadget. Next time Ebay offers pre-orders on items that don't yet exist, like Dvd's on Harry Potter 7,PS4's and Buzzlightyear toys I expect them to make news too.