Apple to Begin Selling Unlocked iPhone 5 Models in U.S. as Soon as Later Today

MacRumors · Nov 29, 2012, 01:39 PM

9to5Mac reports that Apple is set to begin sales of unlocked iPhone 5 units to U.S. customers as soon as later today. Sales are said to begin in the company's online store, with retail stores currently receiving units ahead of an unspecified in-store launch date.

Quote:

Apple will begin selling an unlocked version of its iPhone 5 through its online store as soon as 9 PM tonight, according to our retail sources. The unlocked iPhone 5 price range will likely be $649, $749, and $849 depending on a choice of either 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage.

While unlocked devices are the norm in many of Apple's markets, Apple typically restricts sales in the U.S. during an initial time period after launch to devices locked to specific carriers. For the iPhone 4S, it took less than one month for Apple to begin selling unlocked models to U.S. customers, but it has already been over two months since Apple began U.S. sales of the iPhone 5.

Apple is also said to be expanding its Personal Pickup program for the iPhone 5, allowing users to reserve a device at any time for pickup the following day rather than having to wait until 10:00 PM when the stores have closed for the day to place their reservations.

Article Link: Apple to Begin Selling Unlocked iPhone 5 Models in U.S. as Soon as Later Today

Amplelink · Nov 29, 2012, 01:40 PM

Finally. This is a bit later than last year's release of the unlocked 4S.

ZacNicholson · Nov 29, 2012, 01:40 PM

that seems like a lot of money. but if you buy it unlocked and switch to straight talk, you will save a ton of money !!!

Gemütlichkeit · Nov 29, 2012, 01:42 PM

'bout f'n time haha

gotta cut down my straight talk sim eek

salacious · Nov 29, 2012, 01:45 PM

apple making *SNAPPY* decisions today

Haswell · Nov 29, 2012, 01:46 PM

What network does straight talk use?

Btrthnezr3 · Nov 29, 2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haswell

What network does straight talk use?

AT&T I believe

Here's what I found (but I could be wrong)...

Quote:

The Straight Talk network is pulling from AT&T’s network, so you get full-speed access to nationwide HSPA+, unlimited calling, texting, MMS, and data for less than the cost of a far more limited plan with a post-paid carrier (as well as the convenience of never having to sign a contract). There are a few downsides to using an unofficial carrier, such as the lack of visual voicemail for those who rely heavily on that feature, but the benefits and price seem to far outweigh the downsides.

From...
http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/30/review...straight-talk/

But they also said something about Sprint, so IDK

MacFather · Nov 29, 2012, 01:47 PM

overpriced

Haswell · Nov 29, 2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Btrthnezr3

AT&T I believe

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.

Bobtodd · Nov 29, 2012, 01:49 PM

most stores have very very limited numbers less than 20 of each.

extricated · Nov 29, 2012, 01:50 PM

Finally.

However, I'll stick with subsidized iPhones and contractual obligations.
Because, dang it, that's expensive.
Yay for those who can afford it.

Haswell · Nov 29, 2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Btrthnezr3

AT&T I believe

Here's what I found (but I could be wrong)...

From...
http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/30/review...straight-talk/

But they also said something about Sprint, so IDK

If's HSPA+ then why not just go with a Nexus 4 for half the money?

apfeljonas · Nov 29, 2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Btrthnezr3

AT&T I believe

Here's what I found (but I could be wrong)...

From...
http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/30/review...straight-talk/

But they also said something about Sprint, so IDK

Should be ATT then cause Sprint is CDMA, and it says something about a SIM card on their website. http://www.straighttalksim.com/

petrucci666 · Nov 29, 2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZacNicholson

that seems like a lot of money. but if you buy it unlocked and switch to straight talk, you will save a ton of money !!!

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.

Vlad33141 · Nov 29, 2012, 01:53 PM

Is this news because they will be doing it online?
And for all of you that wants to know..... Yes iPhone 5 does work with Straightalk, their service is pretty good, I live in Miami and get most of the time between 4 and 6 mbs downloads and about 1mbs uploads. For $45.00 a month it's awesome!!!!!

trainwrecka · Nov 29, 2012, 01:54 PM

Wow. The carriers take a $450 hit on each iPhone??? No wonder data and service is so expensive (and rising)!

onthecouchagain · Nov 29, 2012, 01:55 PM

Apple to Begin Ripping You Off as Soon As Later Today.

chuckd83 · Nov 29, 2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZacNicholson

that seems like a lot of money. but if you buy it unlocked and switch to straight talk, you will save a ton of money !!!

how much do you save on straight talk? x24 - $450 = ton?

Haswell · Nov 29, 2012, 01:58 PM

Since it's unlocked does that mean it will run on Page Plus' network?

Page Plus actually uses Verizon's network, no 4G though. Which I can live with since I use wifi at home and at work.

JodyK · Nov 29, 2012, 02:00 PM

Had mine since day 1 ... They just called it "commitment free"

bacaramac · Nov 29, 2012, 02:01 PM

I thought off contract phones unlocked were $50 more?? I bought mine off contract at Best Buy for $699 and just had AT&T unlock it. Also, an Apple rep told me they were selling unlocked ones if someone asked for them since I was talking to him about Best Buy selling me off contract. I use AT&T so I am in an iPhone 5 contract. I just sold the on contract phone for $900 and turned around and paid full price to Best Buy and AT&T unlocked it after I faxed my Best Buy receipt showing full price.

ZacNicholson · Nov 29, 2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd83

how much do you save on straight talk? x24 - $450 = ton?

thats a ton for a college student!!!

theMaccer · Nov 29, 2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZacNicholson

thats a ton for a college student!!!

probly not a math major

adildacoolset · Nov 29, 2012, 02:07 PM

I don't care just give me itunes 11!

oh wait, people can't complain about that anymore. I wonder what people will whine about next

aznboi91 · Nov 29, 2012, 02:07 PM

Is there any difference between this one and the Verizon Device Only version?

Nov 29, 2012, 01:40 PM	#3
ZacNicholson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana	that seems like a lot of money. but if you buy it unlocked and switch to straight talk, you will save a ton of money !!! __________________ follow me on twitter @zac_nicholson watch my youtube www.youtube.com/mrzacnicholson 2011 13" MBP, iPhone 4 (jailbroken), iPad 3 32 GB Verizon(jailbroken), Apple tv 2(jailbroken)
	1

Nov 29, 2012, 01:42 PM	#4
Gemütlichkeit macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2010	'bout f'n time haha gotta cut down my straight talk sim eek __________________ "It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God." -Thomas Jefferson
	1

Nov 29, 2012, 01:53 PM	#15
Vlad33141 macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2011	I bought my iPhone 5 unlocked on day 1 at the apple store Is this news because they will be doing it online? And for all of you that wants to know..... Yes iPhone 5 does work with Straightalk, their service is pretty good, I live in Miami and get most of the time between 4 and 6 mbs downloads and about 1mbs uploads. For $45.00 a month it's awesome!!!!!
	2

Nov 29, 2012, 02:00 PM	#20
JodyK macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Atlanta suburbs	Had mine since day 1 ... They just called it "commitment free" __________________ RMBP 15 2.3 16GB Ram - Mac Pro Quad - iPad 3 LTE 16GB - Factory Unlocked White iPhone 5 64GB "proudly on Tmobile" - 3 Apple TV's - 2 Time Capsules
	0

Nov 29, 2012, 02:01 PM	#21
bacaramac macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2007	I thought off contract phones unlocked were $50 more?? I bought mine off contract at Best Buy for $699 and just had AT&T unlock it. Also, an Apple rep told me they were selling unlocked ones if someone asked for them since I was talking to him about Best Buy selling me off contract. I use AT&T so I am in an iPhone 5 contract. I just sold the on contract phone for $900 and turned around and paid full price to Best Buy and AT&T unlocked it after I faxed my Best Buy receipt showing full price. __________________ iMac 27" 3.06Ghz 2TB Time Capsule AppleTV3 x 2 16GB iPhone 5 White/Silver AT&T iPod Touch 4th Gen White and 5th Gen Yellow iPad mini White/Silver 16GB WiFi
	0

Nov 29, 2012, 01:40 PM	#2
Amplelink macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	Finally. This is a bit later than last year's release of the unlocked 4S.
	3

Nov 29, 2012, 01:45 PM	#5
salacious macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011	apple making SNAPPY decisions today
	1

Nov 29, 2012, 01:46 PM	#6
Haswell macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA	What network does straight talk use?
	1

Nov 29, 2012, 01:47 PM	#8
MacFather macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Europe	overpriced
	2

Nov 29, 2012, 01:49 PM	#10
Bobtodd macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2011	most stores have very very limited numbers less than 20 of each.
	0

Nov 29, 2012, 01:50 PM	#11
extricated macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2011	Finally. However, I'll stick with subsidized iPhones and contractual obligations. Because, dang it, that's expensive. Yay for those who can afford it.
	2

Nov 29, 2012, 01:54 PM	#16
trainwrecka macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas	Wow. The carriers take a $450 hit on each iPhone??? No wonder data and service is so expensive (and rising)!
	0

Nov 29, 2012, 01:55 PM	#17
onthecouchagain macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2011	Apple to Begin Ripping You Off as Soon As Later Today.
	4

Nov 29, 2012, 01:58 PM	#19
Haswell macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA	Since it's unlocked does that mean it will run on Page Plus' network? Page Plus actually uses Verizon's network, no 4G though. Which I can live with since I use wifi at home and at work.
	0

Nov 29, 2012, 02:07 PM	#24
adildacoolset macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lusaka, Zambia(If you know where it is)	I don't care just give me itunes 11! oh wait, people can't complain about that anymore. I wonder what people will whine about next __________________ Last edited by adildacoolset; Tomorrow at 09:42 AM. Reason: grammar error
	4

Nov 29, 2012, 02:07 PM	#25
aznboi91 macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2012	Is there any difference between this one and the Verizon Device Only version?
	0

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