Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulNate]

Does anyone have any concrete information as to whether a fully unlocked iphone 4 from Korea will work in Aus/SA/Europe?

Not looking for speculation, as I have found plenty of "yeah it should work" answers!

Thanks!

[SeoulNate]

bump?

[kangaroodave]

There are two main systems (CDMA and GSM). South Korea is a CDMA country. Australia (and most other countries) use GSM. All Iphones are built to work in GSM countries and the Korean system allows GSM phones to work here (which is why Iphones work).

So, simply, the phone will work in Australia. Koreans don't use a SIM card, but a SIM would have been put into your Iphone when you bought it here (I have one in my Iphone).

When you leave Korea you can ask the telco to unlock your phone. It takes a few days but is a 100% digital process. They press some buttons and then the system unlocks your phone remotely. You can then take the unlocked phone to Australia, throw a SIM card in it and away you go.

I know this is a fact, not here-say, because friends have done it and I already asked the telcos and they've confirmed it (I'm Australian and I might take my phone home if I leave after this contract). Telcos are legally obliged to unlock your phone if you own it outright and Korean telcos are happy to do so for you at the end of your phone contract.

Just make sure you pay out the contract on your phone (so it's free and clear) and give yourself 1-2 weeks to get it unlocked.

[SeoulNate]

Thanks for the response!

[ForeverWanderlust]

What If I need to unlock it and I just bought it like 2 months ago so technically dont out right own (paid off) it yet?