Sasta aur tikau: The Apple 3G iPhone was freely available in the grey market yesterday before its official launch at midnight. For video, log on to www.mid-day.com. PIC/PRADEEP DHIVAR

For 32-year-old Byculla resident Jabbar Khan (name changed), using the latest phone in the market has always been a passion.  This is why he decided to get the 3G iPhone within days of its US launch in July. Khan has used the 2G iPhone earlier.

He ordered the handset from a dealer in US and then got the security lock cracked in India for just Rs 2,500. 

Even though the handset costs Rs $199 (Rs 8,600) in the US, he ended up paying Rs 40,000 for it, (including grey market rate, shipping charges, etc). But he feels it is money well spent.

"The phone is marvellous. Though we are not able to make optimum use of it, this is by far the best phone in the market today," said Khan.

"This is such an ego booster. All my friends envy me," said Khan, who runs an electronic goods shop in Heera Panna market at Haji Ali. He added that the iPhone was priced too high in India.