OK, many of us are getting pretty fed up with the B.S. surrounding the iPhone application process for foreigners in Korea.

Heard of the Google’s new phone, Nexus One? If you haven’t let me tell you about it……

It’s a groundbreaking phone in the U.S. because not only is it a fantastic phone, there is an option to buy the phone DIRECTLY from Google without a mobile carrier contract. Yes, the iPhone in America works with a SIM card from a different carrier – same with every other country in the world EXCEPT Korea. However, there’s certain key features that won’t work without being used on AT&T’s network – the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the states.

The Google Nexus One is a game-changer in the states because it truly is an unlocked phone that can be used with full functionality with any carrier that uses a SIM card.

If this phone were to arrive in Korea, it would be a great day for many of us. Cheaper and possibly a better phone without getting locked down on a rip-off 2 year contract (or 1 year if you pay the full 800,000 won up front) with KT – an already notoriously horrible mobile carrier. LG seems to have the best deals, but still expensive, and SK seems middle of the road and most popular in Korea.

Some key features about the Nexus One to be excited about:

-Large 3.7 inch 460 x 800 pixel AMOLED screen (bright, vivid, and slightly larger than the iPhone’s)

-Beautiful design (much more impressive actually holding the phone from what I understand), but still not as beautiful as the iPhone

-1 GHz Snapdragon processor (much faster than the iPhone, able to run multiple applications concurrently unlike iPhone)

-Full touch-screen functionality (same as iPhone, not the lame button-less screens they call touch screen on most “touch screen” phones in Korea)

-Android 2.1 (Google mobile operating system with better integration of Google products like Gmail and Google Maps)

-Google Voice (woo-hoo!)

-5 megapixel camera with auto-focus and video

-WIFI

-AGPS (allows for turn-by-turn directions), compass, long life replaceable (another iPhone pitfall) battery

Pricing:

No contract; $529.99 fully unlocked and can be purchased directly from Google

With contract: $179.99 with 2 year plan with T-Mobile (U.S.)

My Humble Thoughts

The Nexus One is finally a legitimate iPhone competitor with just as good core applications. Most every-day applications are on par if not better than the iPhone’s, but with far less availability of games. Perfect integration of hardware and software like the iPhone which most other phones lack. It’ll be interesting to see if it can take away market-share from the iPhone and it’s far superior App Store and iTunes.

Update:

If it comes to Korea (updated), definitely buying this phone if I can get it to work in the states also. I might have to carry around an iPod separately, but I know I can handle it since I’ve been hauling around both my Korean phone and my iPhone for the past year.

Any word on the street about a Google phone landing on Korea’s shores?

Video ad below is very reminiscent of Apple’s marketing.

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Photo: iPhone with a SIM card ejected.

Question: Will a Korean SIM card work in my iPhone?

Answer:  NO!! It doesn’t matter who you ask. It doesn’t matter how they answer. It doesn’t matter if you have a Ph.D. in mobile phone technology.  You will ultimately find yourself wasting your time. SIM is an acronym for “Subscriber Identity Module.”  A Korean SIM card from a mobile carrier in Korea will not work in your iPhone (including SK Telecom, KTF, and LG Telecom).

The Reason: At the moment, every mobile phone (hand-phone) is required to be registered into the carriers network. That means the actual phone’s serial number, or ID number must match what is allowed on the network. Not only that, each phone model must be approved by the government.  This is mandated by the Korean government. Jail-breaking your iPhone to function with a carrier in Korea will not work.

Your iPhone will not magically jump on the Korean cell phone network simply by inserting a Korean network SIM card. I know it’s frustrating. The best way to use an iPhone in Korea is to either purchase an iPod Touch or an iPhone and dealing with what’s available for the time being. For now, you must be satisfied with using an Interbro ”egg” to provide your iPhone with a local WIFI connection.

You’ll have a high-bandwidth 4G connection for about  $20/month with KT Telecom plus the cost of the “egg” (sometimes called the Yota Egg for about $200). You can register a Korean phone number with Skype for about $30/year plus $10/month for an unlimited calling plan.

See Also:

How to Use the iPhone in Korea (with Skype)

How to use your iPhone in Korea WITHOUT Skype for phone capability

Why is the iPhone not in Korea?

iPhone 3G vs the 3GS

아이폰 나는 나의 iPhone 을 정말 좋아한다

Who are the major mobile carriers in Korea?

10 reasons why Korea needs the iPhone

After 2 years of agony for Korean iPhone fans, it looks as though the iPhone may finally reach the shores of South Korea. Rumors are surfacing about an agreement made between Apple and KTF, one of Korea’s major mobile carriers.  It is undetermined whether both the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS will offered, and there are still questions regarding the availability of WIFI on the Korean version of the popular phone handset. It is speculated that the release of the Apple iPhone in Korea will be later this month or September.  Stay tuned for more information.