Where to shop for a Cell Phone in HK--Android?

[ultress]

Hello:
newb here:
I'm going to be visiting in a few weeks and haven't been back in several years. I have 2 main questions:

1. What's the best place for me to pick up a new cell phone? I can't stand how in the US we have no choice and have to choose from the crappy handsets tied to our carriers--and even then we can't switch unless our contracts are up (or pay full ridiculous retail before contracts are up).

2. I've got my heart set on an android handset--I'll probably get an HTC...hero? since it appears it's been released in asia...but i'm not sure. alternatively, I may pick up on a nokiaE71 or one of the Nseries. Is it possible for anyone to tell me what a reasonable price in hong kong would be for these 3 option?

Any info on the above is greatly appreciated.

thanks a lot,
Ultress.

[jimbo]

Yes the HTC Hero is out here now and the retail price is $4498 hk.

Nokia N97 is $5198
Nokia N86 8MP is $4398

[ultress]

Thanks Jimbo. much appreciated.

Any advice on where to head to pick up these options i heard jordan or mong kok is the place to go. am i better off in those places versus just heading to the nearest mall? I don't want to get ripped off, but i don't want to buy anything that's sketchy either...?

[Hokuto]

The Hero's price is pretty much standard for now. You may be able to get a better price at Sin Tat Plaza (先達廣場) in Mong Kok, but it might be a "water" version and without a warranty.

You can always check price.com.hk for general guidance on prices across HK (the blue 水 [sui] means "water", the yellow 行 [hong] means "licensed"). However the site is Chinese-only.

[jimbo]

Ultress

Yes Jordan and Mongkok will be cheaper however they will be 'grey imports' thus will not have any sort of international warranty.

I'd stick with the usual stores such as Fortress and Broadway etc for peace of mind.

The prices I've quoted earlier are rrp so of course don't pay more than those or at least bargain hard.

[bnck12]

Hero, you can buy it through everywhere in retails if you don't join any carrier plan offer from Smartone and PCCW