Over here in Belgium, the 3G is sold unlocked for 515e/615e for the 8/16 Gb versions, we dont have the 3GS yet and its unknown when it will be availble, my guess is the prices will be aprox the same

there is a Factory unlocked 8 gig 3G on ebay for Buy it now price of $550 US
Apple 3G iPhone 8GB (8 GB) -FACTORY UNLOCKED-SIM FREE - eBay (item 280342595733 end time Jul-05-09 09:03:03 PDT)

Originally Posted by jon_slider

there is a Factory unlocked 8 gig 3G on ebay for Buy it now price of $550 US
Apple 3G iPhone 8GB (8 GB) -FACTORY UNLOCKED-SIM FREE - eBay (item 280342595733 end time Jul-05-09 09:03:03 PDT)

This is fake, read the Q&A in this auction!!!!

Q: Is this phone genuinely factory inlocked, can it be upgraded without being locked back?
A: it cannot be upgraded via itunes.

A factory unlocked iPhone can always be upgraded in iTunes and will always be unlocked!!!!!

Originally Posted by Rekoil

Has it been confirmed that the phones in all those countries are actually unlocked though? Because I'd only heard of Italy, Hong Kong and Belgium before seeing the support page.

I can confirm this. I bought an iPhone 3G at launch time from Vodafone Italy, and I use it on several carriers in Romania.

I now bought a 3GS from Italy (also unlocked), its on the way to my address...

The iPhones are fully unlocked, they will work on any carrier no matter what. Its just a joy not to wait for unlock hacks, and be able to upgrade on the same day a new OS version in lauched. That's why I chose this route.

Originally Posted by jon_slider

there is a Factory unlocked 8 gig 3G on ebay for Buy it now price of $550 US
Apple 3G iPhone 8GB (8 GB) -FACTORY UNLOCKED-SIM FREE - eBay (item 280342595733 end time Jul-05-09 09:03:03 PDT)

If the price is too good to be true, then...

Is the data technology any different in these countries? If I purchased a factory unlocked phone in Italy (or another country), will the 3G signal work with T-Mobile here in the US? I'd be willing to pay the extra for a factory unlocked phone if it enabled 3G speeds in the US.

no luck for t-mobile US 3G network with the italian iPhone 3GS, tmobile in USA use an unusual range frequency (1700), all other operators in the rest of the world, even t-mobile UK, DE, AT etc..use 2100....
I bought a TIM italy 3GS last weekend in Italy, no luck!!!
I already close my contract with them and open another one with AT&T....
if anybody needs I have three factory unlocked TIM Italy iPhones, two 3GS 32gb black and one 3G black 16GB for sale....

so, I can buy a factory unlocked 3GS in lets say.. Spain, and use it anywhere in the world regardless of the Carrier?

correct me if I am wrong please!

can you safely JB one of these unlocked phones (once the JB comes out i mean).
ive been using IPOT 2G but wanting to move to 3GS but not familiar with the JB/Unlocking process on the phones and talk about basebands etc.

EDIT: ok, in case people start saying "dont know until JB comes out", on the 3G, with an unlocked phone, could it be safely JB?
thanks

Australia also sells them unlocked.

But it get's better. Those who buy on contract can also ask for the phone to be unlocked.
Some carriers do it for free, others charge, but they will be unlocked.

Further, just to annoy people, Australians can also buy the 3GS direct from any of the Apple stores, unlocked & no contracts/plans.
If memory serves, it's $1040 AUD for the 32GB.