Just a quick question about buying the iPhone 5S overseas...

Hey Guys, I am getting an iPhone 5S as a Christmas box however am currently in Dubai, UAE… I bought it here too btw. What I am wondering is firstly if the phone is unlocked, secondly; if it has an international warranty and thirdly (and finally), if it were to brake for whatever reason, (i live in Australia) can i take it to the apple store there and get it fixed? I would really appreciate any help.


Oh and i bought it from an authorized apple seller (store) --> The Virgin Megastore... If you need anything else, just leave a message/reply


Thanks in advance guys,


Adam (ShredDaily1997)

iPhone 5s

Posted on Dec 23, 2013 1:01 AM

Reply
7 replies

Dec 23, 2013 1:12 AM in response to ShredDaily1997

No, the iPhone has no international warranty, so is valid only for the country of purchase, so if you bought it in Dubai, then warranty is for Dubai only. If the phone were to break, then this goes hand in hand with warranty and because you bought it in Dubai, then an Australian Apple store may not be willing to help you and you will have to take it back to Dubai for help - not postage accepted - you need to post it to a relative or take it back there yourself physically.


Also, only you know if the phone is locked or unlocked - did you ask when you purchased the phone? Did you pay full price for an unlocked phone or was is subsidised and come with a sim card? Only you can answer that question really, depending on what you asked for in the shop when you bought the phone.


Also, be advised that because you bought the phone in Dubai, it may not have FaceTime on it, if this is important to you. FaceTime is banned in Middle Eastern countries by their Governments, so is not on phones that originate from the Middle East and if you have a phone such as this, there is no way to get FaceTime on it ever, unless you buy a new phone.


You perhaps made a mistake buying the phone in Dubai and if you want to use the phone in Australia it might have been better to wait and buy it there. Then you will get warranty and FaceTime and everything and everything will be compatible with the networks out there. You may just have set yourself up for a host of problems by buying the phone in Dubai.

Dec 23, 2013 1:17 AM in response to ShredDaily1997

The Virgin Megastore is an authorized Apple reseller, but NOT for the iPhone. Thus, the phone you purchased is a "grey" market import, & could have originated anywhere. Since iPhone warranty/support is limited to country of original purchase, you'll have to call AppleCare to determine where your phone originated from. Wherever that is, is where your warranty/support will be valid. You most likely won't be able to get any warranty or support for this phone in Australia.


As to the unlocked status, the grey market importers, in Dubai, generally source their phones from places like Singapore, where only officially unlocked iPhones are sold.

Dec 23, 2013 1:23 AM in response to ShredDaily1997

Yes, definitely, I would do that and then wait until you get back to Australia and buy one there.


If you do that you will be able to go to an Apple store in Australia and get an unlocked phone if you want one that will be compatible and will have FaceTime and more importantly, warranty cover for Australia.


Definitely, take it back and buy one in Australia.

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Just a quick question about buying the iPhone 5S overseas...

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