[jgl]

I was in the big mobile phone shopping mall in Mong Kok last night and wanted to run something by some of the phone-savvy posters on Geoexpat.

Several salespeople told me that the advertised price for a particular model of phone (Nokia 6300) were for overseas, SIM-locked versions. And that it would cost more for an unlocked phone. Is this at all plausible? The idea of locked phones even being imported into HK is a bit weird (well, except for something like the iPhone which doesn't have a local release).

These were generally the same salespeople that tried to feed me some BS about the more expensive phones being available in a variety of languages (as if you can't just change that via a menu setting).

[jimbo]

I assume you were at Sin Tat in argyle street?

They're talking out of their backsides, All mobiles are not locked to any particular network in hk.

they're already unlocked and are trying to get you to pay more to unlock a phone typically $100 or so that doesn't need unlocking.

As regards to language settings, Yes they're right if its a smartphone but not your typical phone, I had to wait a few days for an english language htc touch to arrive from my supplier.

[jaykay]

I've had a few phones form there and none have been locked. Work straight out of the box. Languages, yes. Nokia actually has several language groups which are linked to the product code. So a phone you buy here may well be in English but will be unable to view Chinese as it may be a north european or US product code.

Easy to change at home, flash with the correct product code and update and away you go. Had that with a N95 8GB last year. You must have correct product code though or it will end in tears!

[discobay]

Unless ofcourse the units are "acquired" from another market where they were intended to be sold as sim-locked.