If I buy an unlocked Iphone 5/5s in Japan, does it work in Europe (Italy) ?

Then ask whoever wrote what you read. According to this document (look at the bottom where they list countries where unlocked iPhones are available) http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1937 unlocked iPhones are not available in Japan.

Called "Sim Free"...big difference vs unlocked. The Sim Free iPhone locks to the first Japanese carrier's sim inserted in the phone.

Don't waste your money.

valerio.lippa wrote:

Ok, so if I come back in Italy and try to use it with an italian operator it won't work?

That's correct. A Japanese iPhone will only work with a Japanese carrier.

valerio.lippa wrote:

If my understanding is correct, I buy a SIM FREE IPHONE 5s in the Apple Store in Japan and if I use it with a japanese sim card, it doesn't work ?

Huh? If you purchase a "Sim Free" Japanese iPhone, it can only be used in Japan, & will lock to the first Japanese carrier's sim inserted into the phone. It will work just fine with that Japanese carrier.

Hi,

Is this information still current in 2016? I was just in the Ginza Apple store asking about the iPhone SE, and the guy there told me that if I bought that phone there, it would work in Portugal.

Did he really mean "work, but in the sense that a Japanese carrier phone will roam in Portugal"?

I think it was quite patent that I was not Japanese... 😝

There are NO UNLOCKED iPhones sold in Japan...none. And, none of the Japanese carriers offer unlocking, thus there is no way to get any Japanese iPhone officially unlocked.

"Ok, so if I come back in Italy and try to use it with an italian operator it won't work?"

Correct.

It will not work anywhere but with a Japanese carrier. Only Japanese. Nowhere else.

You're welcome.