Unlocked iPhone - Pros & Cons

My girlfriend wants an iPhone and we would like to use different SIM cards as we travel through different countries. From what I understand, in order to do this she must have an unlocked iPhone. It looks like she could buy one on eBay in the $600 range. Is there a better place to buy one?

Are there any downsides to having an unlocked iPhone as opposed to a locked one? I've been reading some info online but it seems out of date.

For example, is there an issue with updating the firmware on an unlocked iPhone? Would she end up paying a lot more each month with a SIM card compared to signing up with AT&T? She plans to use both voice and data.

Unlocked phones can not update it will brick the phone. What till next month man things are going to change.

Ah, this is tricky then. My girlfriend canceled her Sprint service effective in a few days and she needs a phone. What is happening next month?

Wait a sec, all unlocked phones can't update their firmware?

Next month, which is this month (Feb.), Apple is going to release the iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit) which will allow the iPhone to run 3rd party applications like some people are doing now with a jailbroken iPhone. So there will be new software and such for you to enjoy.

I have an unlocked jailbroken iPhone 1.1.1 and I see no cons besides not being able to update to a newer firmware without losing the unlock and jailbreak.

Thanks trikmie. I was going to get an unlocked phone myself and just use SIM cards, not an iPhone though. Would I be able to update the firmware on a different unlocked phone? Maybe I can if that phone has an SDK available?

Yeah, with a regular gsm phone you probably won't have to worry about firmware updates.

Alright, thanks.

Have all unlocked phones been hacked? I thought you could buy a phone that isn't locked to a carrier.

If you unlock it the warranty is toast!

Not if you buy one that was never locked to a carrier.

As far as i know, iphones are currently selling only with AT&T.. And yes, unlocking does toast warranty.. Note that lots of iphones are currently using something called a 'stealth sim' wherein you need to 'cut' out the golden part of the sim and put it in the stealth, and then use it. this means you wont be in a position to use that sim with other phones. But that was mostly when attempts to unlock the latest iphone were going on i.e. 1.1.3. Make sure you clarify that in case you decide to purchase one.

You could also buy a locked phone and just have it unlocked by some people. I think it'll be cheaper that way.

Sure you can buy one already unlocked, you can get a tec9 that is full auto too. Anything that is already modufied is always for sale somewhere. Yet, when they fail your up a creek without a paddle. I wouldn't unlock it, unless you want to void your warranty. Also the newer phones have a different warranty so if you use a 'stealth sim' and you install items, if it touchs a iTunes when you plug it in, well consider your warranty gone. I am notsure if they can tell by just using one in your phone. They might even be able to do that... I am unsure has anyone used a 'stealth sim' or unlocked it and then used the warranty without a problem? This is what I want to know, who has warrantyed there phone after doing such? I throw in unlocked because depending on how it broke you can always downgrade to it being locked again can you not?

You can unlock all iPhones with Ziphone (and, although your warranty is voided, you can restore your iphone with Ziphone before sending it in, and ta-da! your warranty is ok!)