View Full Version : How to tell is an iPhone is the HONG KONG version?
savadious 02-16-2009, 11:52 PM Some of us know that the Hong Kong Apple store sells legit iPhones that can be used with any sim.
http://store.apple.com/hk/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTE2NTQ
I want this version and went to Greenhills to get one. Then after looking at a few I decided not to.
They all look the same!
Is there a way to tell if the iPhone 3g's im looking at are the official Hong Kong openlined by Apple version?
I dont want the regular Openline version that will re-lock eventually on an iTunes update.
Thanks !
rafaelc378 02-17-2009, 12:11 AM 1) The only way to be sure is if there's a sales receipt of it being bought and activated in HK (The other option is you buying it in HK yourself). If anyone has other ways to test it via the iPhone itself, please share.
2) Even if you get one, remember that you'll be paying for any repairs or service. The complimentary warranty and the Applecare Warranty does not allow for warranty service outside the country of original purchase.
jaijin 02-17-2009, 12:28 AM The bigger box is the HK version.
savadious 02-17-2009, 08:38 AM The bigger box is the HK version.
I was hoping there was an easy way to determine HK version like a serial number prefix or something.
Boxes can be swapped - especially when its an open box so you can test it.
Even if you get one, remember that you'll be paying for any repairs or service.
Thats 100% fine. It would be my 4th or 5th iPhone with no warranty... Now Macbooks and desktops I would never dream about skipping Applecare :p
jaijin 02-17-2009, 10:47 AM Well SN are both imprinted on the box sticker and the iPhone.
pctan1584 02-17-2009, 11:00 AM There should be no NTC logo at the back. not sure...
quasar 02-17-2009, 01:08 PM pctan1584 is correct: A Hong Kong iPhone 3G will have no NTC logo at the back.
mysterio 02-17-2009, 01:23 PM Other than going to Hongkong and buying it directly from the apple store there, the other way to tell if it's from Hongkong is by part number, the only ones assigned are MB489ZP/A, MB496ZP/A and MB500ZP/A. You can see it on the box. If it's unsealed, go further by checking the Settings>General>About area.
jaytrixz 02-17-2009, 01:25 PM Other than going to Hongkong and buying it directly from the apple store there, the other way to tell if it's from Hongkong is by part number, the only ones assigned are MB489ZP/A, MB496ZP/A and MB500ZP/A. You can see it on the box. If it's unsealed, go further by checking the Settings>General>About area.
So iPhones having this part numbers are factory unlocked right? Just to be sure.. :)
mysterio 02-17-2009, 01:31 PM So iPhones having this part numbers are factory unlocked right? Just to be sure.. :)
Yes, from Hongkong specifically. Others would come from Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy (only on Vodafone and TIM networks) for example.
pjohn22 02-17-2009, 07:28 PM Hi Guys,
My Iphone 3G is from Italy, I have the part number MB496T and I've updated it with the lastest software update from Itunes and still works fine. I'm using the Iphone here in Dubai.
jaijin 02-17-2009, 10:59 PM There should be no NTC logo at the back. not sure...
I don't think Globe-issued iPhones have an NTC sticker. how would they stick it on when the product is sealed and the back cover isn't user-serviceable?
juanegg 02-17-2009, 11:24 PM @jaijin: theres no sticker, i think its physically printed on the back, i know theres a pic of it somewhere here on philmug.. :D
johannes 02-18-2009, 10:27 AM I believe you're referring to this image:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2786282174_3dfcf48d70.jpg
From this thread: http://www.philmug.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=39974&page=2&highlight=NTC+logo
savadious 04-23-2009, 10:13 PM pctan1584 is correct: A Hong Kong iPhone 3G will have no NTC logo at the back.
I was at greenhills today.. EVERY.. not 50% not 70% but 100% EVERY iPhone 3g I looked at with no NTC on the back - someone had swapped the back from a real HK iPhone unit.
So .. dont rely on this to make your decision....
A hint was testing your sim and they recommend a Turbo-sim to make it work :p
HK iPhones dont need a turbo-sim db?
gang_armani 04-23-2009, 10:46 PM here (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937?viewlocale=en_US) is the guide which indicates country of origin
hongkong units
MB489ZP/A 8gb blk
MB496ZP/A 16gb blk
MB500ZP/A 16gb white
here is the list of official unlock units from other countries,in other words, these are the safe models to buy from Greenhills.
MB489NF/A
MB496NF/A
MB500NF/A
MB489CZ/A
MB496CZ/A
MB500CZ/A
MB490CZ/A
MB497CZ/A
MB501CZ/A
MB489CZ/A
MB496CZ/A
MB500CZ/A
MB489GR/A
MB496GR/A
MB500GR/A
MB489GR/A
MB496GR/A
MB500GR/A
MB489T/A
MB496T/A
MB500T/A
MB489T/A
MB496T/A
MB500T/A
MB489NF/A
MB496NF/A
MB500NF/A
MB489FB/A
MB496FB/A
MB500FB/A
MB489ZP/A
MB496ZP/A
MB500ZP/A
MB489ZA/A
MB496ZA/A
MB500ZA/A
MB489X/A
MB496X/A
MB500X/A
MB489RS/A
MB496RS/A
MB500RS/A
MB489AB/B
MB496AB/B
MB500AB/B
MB489ZA/A
MB496ZA/A
MB500ZA/A
MB489SL/A
MB496SL/A
MB500SL/A
MB489SO/A
MB496SO/A
MB500SO/A
MB489TA/A
MB496TA/A
MB500TA/A
MB489TH/A
MB496TH/A
MB500TH/A
MB489TU/A
MB496TU/A
MB500TU/A
MB489AB/B
MB496AB/B
MB500AB/B
mikaelrules 04-23-2009, 11:06 PM I was at greenhills today.. EVERY.. not 50% not 70% but 100% EVERY iPhone 3g I looked at with no NTC on the back - someone had swapped the back from a real HK iPhone unit.
So .. dont rely on this to make your decision....
A hint was testing your sim and they recommend a Turbo-sim to make it work :p
HK iPhones dont need a turbo-sim db?
Yup I have a HK unit and it doesn't need a turbo sim. I'm free to use whatever simcard I want.
Yup I have a HK unit and it doesn't need a turbo sim. I'm free to use whatever simcard I want.
Same here. I have used it with Globe and Sun sim cards before. No problems naman. Right now I'm in China and is using it with a China Mobile sim.
pop_freak19 04-24-2009, 07:48 AM look at the iphone's model no. and use this link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937
Believe me, this will solve your problem. Hahaha :-P
savadious 04-24-2009, 08:56 AM Thanks for replies all. This information will surely help anyone looking for a unit to use with many sim.. Tnx
hitme64 04-24-2009, 09:34 AM there's a hongkong version? hehe, ignorant fool ako :p
but does it matter?
gang_armani 04-24-2009, 10:03 AM @hitme, hows the atv? hahaha
Remember sometime last year, Apple announced that factory unlocked units will be available from apple hk online stores.So this units made there way all around the world.
yes it matters, specifically for those who want to use the iphone locally using smart/sun and other carriers aside from globe.The advantage is that the user of this units can update to any frimware released by apple.
rowinms 04-25-2009, 06:03 AM the only legit open line iPHONE i know is from HK.
gang_armani 04-25-2009, 09:28 AM the only legit open line iPHONE i know is from HK.
there are a lot of EURO regions that sells legit unlock iPhones too.
Tuli$an 04-25-2009, 10:29 AM the only legit open line iPHONE i know is from HK.
as clemente on the other page, not only HK sells unlock phone :)
here (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937?viewlocale=en_US) is the guide which indicates country of origin
hongkong units
MB489ZP/A 8gb blk
MB496ZP/A 16gb blk
MB500ZP/A 16gb white
here is the list of official unlock units from other countries,in other words, these are the safe models to buy from Greenhills.
MB489NF/A
MB496NF/A
MB500NF/A
MB489CZ/A
MB496CZ/A
MB500CZ/A
MB490CZ/A
MB497CZ/A
MB501CZ/A
MB489CZ/A
MB496CZ/A
MB500CZ/A
MB489GR/A
MB496GR/A
MB500GR/A
MB489GR/A
MB496GR/A
MB500GR/A
MB489T/A
MB496T/A
MB500T/A
MB489T/A
MB496T/A
MB500T/A
MB489NF/A
MB496NF/A
MB500NF/A
MB489FB/A
MB496FB/A
MB500FB/A
MB489ZP/A
MB496ZP/A
MB500ZP/A
MB489ZA/A
MB496ZA/A
MB500ZA/A
MB489X/A
MB496X/A
MB500X/A
MB489RS/A
MB496RS/A
MB500RS/A
MB489AB/B
MB496AB/B
MB500AB/B
MB489ZA/A
MB496ZA/A
MB500ZA/A
MB489SL/A
MB496SL/A
MB500SL/A
MB489SO/A
MB496SO/A
MB500SO/A
MB489TA/A
MB496TA/A
MB500TA/A
MB489TH/A
MB496TH/A
MB500TH/A
MB489TU/A
MB496TU/A
MB500TU/A
MB489AB/B
MB496AB/B
MB500AB/B
|