Apple has started selling unlocked models of its iconic 3G Iphones in Hong Kong, giving users the freedom to choose their own service provider.

The move will be Apple’s first shift from its previous strategy, which tied the phone exclusively to a single mobile operator in each country or territory. The unlocked device was for sale on Saturday at Apple’s online store.

But contract-free doesn’t mean you pay less, or that you can acquire the phone at the price Apple had announced before its launch - $199 for eight gigabyte (GB) and $299 for 16 gigabyte (GB).

In Hong Kong, the 8GB version was made available for about $700 and the 16GB version was $797.7. Previously, in Hong Kong the phone came with a two-year contract with with tycoon Li Ka-shing's Hutchison Telecom, on tariff plans ranging from $188 to $498 a month. X

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