Apple now selling iPhone 3G unlocked in Hong Kong

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Apple is now selling its iPhone 3G unlocked via its on-line Apple Store in Hong Kong. The 8GB model sells for HK$5,500 (about US$694) or HK$6,200 (about $797) for the 16GB model. It was already available since July 11th with a local Hutchison Telecommunications contract. So, will the officially unlocked iPhone 3G become available on the US Apple online store soon? It IS gonna happen, we just don’t know when. :/

This is the first time that Apple has sold its device unlocked in Hong Kong:

“iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation.”

The terms and conditions limit sales to those in Hong Kong only — not that the gray market cares about T&Cs. eBay, anyone?

It’ll be interesting to see if Apple extends the unlocking more broadly (presumably as exclusivity deals expire) or if this is strictly a local phenomena. Officially unlocked iPhone 3G’s have been popping up in Australia, New Zeland, Switzerlan, Italy, Germany[black market], and the UK [illegally sold in some stores].