Hey everyone,

I was wondering if it's possible to buy a sim-free (unlocked) iphone at all in Switzerland and in Basel specifically?

I mean i know that the phones are sold through telecom operators' stores but I don't know if there is an option not to take up the contract. I don't know if there are any independent resellers at this point as well.

I guess I'm a little confused by this chart, which hints that there is an option to buy it unlocked:
http://iphone.mforum.ru/cmsbin/2010/...ll1200x750.png

Thanks in advance, cheers.

Yes is the short answer for about 800CHF if you don't shop around.

Here is an example for you Mobile Zone have lots of shops - presuming there is at least 1 in Basel.

Ohne Abonnement is your quote on this link at just under 800CHF.
http://www.mobilezone.ch/mobiltelefo...-black-sunrise

You can find unlocked iphones on ricardo and ebay too. You may be able to shop around and find a cheaper price somewhere else but I do generally see it around the 800CHF mark when i notice.

just buy it online through apple.ch
769.- for a unlocked iphone 4 is not bad. probably you can also find it at ingenodata (barfüsserplatz or gundeldingen)

Only Apple sells them unlocked. All other retailers only have locked versions. Just order one on Apple.ch - it's cheaper and readily available (ships within 24 hours).

Peter

Thanks a lot, this is what I was afraid of. So, basically, if I buy it and then try to put another SIM in, it won't start up properly, right?

800CHF pricetag can be misleading, I was just getting my hopes up. Blast.

You see, in Moscow 16gb ip4 retails for rougly 1150CHF, and a couple of my colleagues are going to visit Basel for a weekend for an exibition at Messe Basel, so I was hoping they would grab me one with a nice and healthy pricetag. I would try to order it online from apple were I there myself, but I can't force people to wait around the hotel for the package to arrive and if something goes wrong there will be no one to pick it up.

Anyway, thanks for the info, + 100 karmic points to you from snowy Russia =)).

well, they could take a train to Zurich and buy one at the Apple Store - it's only about 10 minutes (on foot) from the railway station. Basel -> Zurich is only 50 minutes by train. They can combine the trip with some shopping at the world famous Bahnhofstrasse (where the Apple Store is, as well).

Apple sells the 16gb version for 769 Fr. unlocked here. The railway-ticket is around 70 fr.

Just make sure to tell them not to go to the Apple Store tomorrow afternoon, as the iPad 2 will be made available then and there'll probably be a crowd.