I need to buy a few iphones outright to use on our NextG business plans, then buy a few data packs to go with them. I prefer if they are unlocked but they don't really need to be if they are bought from Telstra because they will be used on the NextG network. What's the cheapest way to get an unlocked iphone? Or at least an outright 8GB iphone locked to Telstra.

If you already have telstra SIMS they will sell them to you for $726. But it won't be unlocked, that costs an extra $150.

Alternately get an optus prepaid, and pay the $80 to unlock it, and give the prepaid sim to someone else. But good luck finding them, I don't think anyone has any.

Get it from the Telstra Shop. Sydney CBD.

I'm assuming you want an 8GB since money is the key factor.

Cheapest way to get one unlocked and in your hand right now is to:

1. Go to the Apple Store in Sydney CBD.

2. Sign up for an Optus $19 cap for 12 months, which has $51 repayments bringing the total cost to $840.

3. Immediately call Optus and ask to have it unlocked. They will do it for free since you are on contract.

Your chances of finding an Optus pre-paid iPhone are ridiculously slim (even then, then price will be $809, only $31 cheaper), Vodafone have stopped selling them pre-paid, and Telstra will charge you $150 to unlock, making the total cost $876.

[EDIT] Of course, as you mentioned, if you don't mind Telstra network locking, then $727 for the 8GB from the [T]Life in the CBD is cheaper.

find a friend that has one and steal it
then hope they dont have insurance on it

(:

^not sure why anyone steals mobiles of any sort any more. You just get the imei blocked and then it can't be used on any Australian network. I guess they could be sent overseas? not sure how easy/hard it is to change imei's in various different phones, i would imagine it's possible but would require a hardware hack that would make it pointlessly expensive.

Do only the TLife store sell it for $727? Do you have to buy anything else?

The Telstra shop at Rhodes have 8GB iphones in stock that they can sell outright. They are $726 plus $70 for an accessory pack ($796 total). The guy said that I have to buy the $70 car charging kit and that they won't sell the phone on it's own without the kit.

Well, I guess that's their prerogative, though it seems quite dodgy.

I'd call [T]Life or Telstra customer service to clarify whether this policy has any weight. I can't imagine Apple would be particularly happy about it either.

I really don't think Apple cares, the fact Telstra is getting way with their plans obviously means Apple doesn't care what they do.