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xizdun

macrumors 6502
Nov 13, 2011
272
478
YES!!! Finally! My poor wallet.
V8JpC.gif
 

bidwalj

macrumors 65816
Feb 16, 2007
1,056
136
:(

I wish it was Verizon. ATT coverage my area sucks. ATT doesn't even have 4G in my area, neither does Sprint for that matter.

Verizon has 4G in my area and it's wicked fast.

The verizon version is already unlocked (all the gsm networks work, minus lte but thats a hardware issue. Sprint won't allow an unlocked phone on their network no matter what).
 

ChrisTX

macrumors 68030
Dec 30, 2009
2,690
54
Texas
I've always wondered this, but why are unlocked or off contract smartphones more expensive than iPad/tablets?
 

QCassidy352

macrumors G5
Mar 20, 2003
12,028
6,036
Bay Area
I got one 2 months ago by arranging to pick one up on contract and, once I got to the store, asking them to sell it device only. When I plugged it into iTunes, I got the unlocked message. But, glad to see they're making it easy now.
 

Sora

macrumors 6502
Oct 23, 2007
357
127
New York, NY
They have been selling them unlocked for at least a week now - could be longer. Once you restore - it gives you the iPhone unlocked message in iTunes.
 

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WannaGoMac

macrumors 68030
Feb 11, 2007
2,722
3,992
Straight Talk - no LTE and service is absolute crap. Been there, done that, gone back to AT&T. I pay $20 more but it works.

Uh you realize Straight Talk is re-branded AT&T cell service provided by Walmart?

lol, nice move switching to the same provider for more money...
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,024
7,867
Finally. This is a bit later than last year's release of the unlocked 4S.

It took that much longer for supply to catch up with demand. In any case, it's a good sign. Expectations for iPhone sales this quarter are huge, and they'll need all the sales they can get. I also wonder if the T-Mobile rumors are true.
 

Sylon

macrumors 68020
Feb 26, 2012
2,032
80
Michigan/Ohio, USA
Wow. The carriers take a $450 hit on each iPhone??? No wonder data and service is so expensive (and rising)!

Yet, I was able to get the iPhone 3G (back when it was new) when I lived in Germany for 1€, yet data services were nowhere near the price here. However, its extremely limited data.

How they are able to sell the iPhone stupid cheap over there, yet it costs hundreds here, I'll never know.
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,024
7,867
Is there any difference between this one and the Verizon Device Only version?

I'm guessing that the US unlocked version will have the AT&T LTE bands rather than Verizon's. The overseas unlocked version is essentially the Verizon Device-only, except with the CDMA radio disabled.
 

jason2811

macrumors 6502a
May 8, 2006
729
2
Will these unlocked versions work on Verizon? Is there one universal unlocked version OR one for each carrier?
 

WannaGoMac

macrumors 68030
Feb 11, 2007
2,722
3,992
I don't think some people realize how expensive it is to design, build, distribute and support such advanced devices. There's tons of costs that need to be covered that you don't *see*.

And executive bonuses to consider!
 

Shanpdx

macrumors 68030
Sep 24, 2008
2,534
346
Blazer town!
LTE - there is not much to unlocked iPhone 5

unlike iPhone 4S (GSM) - iPhone 5 works in particular LTE frequency.

yes, you can use the GSM portion of the iPhone 5 almost everywhere but not really on LTE

so have to wait till few more years before LTE bands merged together (aka iPhone 5 supports more LTE bands) and become a global phone.
 

ghostface147

macrumors 601
May 28, 2008
4,163
5,134
Will these unlocked versions work on Verizon? Is there one universal unlocked version OR one for each carrier?

Unlocked from the factory is strictly a GSM model (AT&T, T-Mobile in the US). You can't get an unlocked CDMA phone for use on either Sprint or Verizon, but the Verizon model is factory unlocked for use on GSM networks only.
 

Ryth

macrumors 68000
Apr 21, 2011
1,591
157
If this is true, then that pretty much confirms T-Mobile is probably getting the iPhone 5 next week. Apple probably wants to get as many sales in as possible before the pre-paid carriers get their models of unlocked.

Unlocked from the factory is strictly a GSM model (AT&T, T-Mobile in the US). You can't get an unlocked CDMA phone for use on either Sprint or Verizon, but the Verizon model is factory unlocked for use on GSM networks only.

Yep. Even though you can get the AT&T one you still have to do the restore option. With the real unlocked one, you just throw the carrier sim in it.
 

bboyredcel

macrumors member
Feb 26, 2006
76
8
all iphone 5's are unlocked... until they lock it at the POS when you extend your contract.

Bought mine day 1, unlocked & contract free, for $650.
 

Ryth

macrumors 68000
Apr 21, 2011
1,591
157
They have been selling them unlocked for at least a week now - could be longer. Once you restore - it gives you the iPhone unlocked message in iTunes.

You have an AT&T unlocked iPhone. A true unlocked phone has no carrier association. So the receipt will just say Iphone 5...not with the carrier after it.
 
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