All 'No Commitment' AT&T iPhone 4 Purchases Coming Unlocked?

[MacRumors]

Over the weekend, 9 to 5 Mac reported that Apple retail stores are now able to unlock any AT&T iPhone 4 purchased at the unsubsidized "no commitment" prices of $649/$749, offering Apple retail stores the ability to sell unlocked iPhones even if they have run out of the models specifically set aside for sale as unlocked devices. Apple began selling unlocked iPhone 4s in the United States for the first time earlier this month.

But according to a document claimed to be from internal Apple sales training for the release of unlocked iPhone 4s and sent to MacRumors, the move is actually a broader one: All AT&T iPhone 4s sold at the no commitment pricing now automatically come unlocked, even if sold with an AT&T micro-SIM.

There are two ways customers can buy an unlocked iPhone 4 at the Apple Store.

1. Buy an unlocked iPhone without a micro-SIM card inside for $649 (16GB) or $749 (32GB). Here are the new part numbers:

- MC603LL/A iPhone 4 Black 16GB
- MC604LL/A iPhone 4 White 16GB
- MC605LL/A iPhone 4 Black 32GB
- MC606LL/A iPhone 4 White 32GB

This is the best option for a customer who will not be using AT&T.

These customers will need to contact their GSM carrier of choice to obtain a micro-SIM card and wireless service. Do not hand out micro-SIM cards to customers purchasing iPhone 4 without a micro- SIM card.

2. Buy any iPhone 4 with an AT&T micro-SIM card inside at full price. These models will also be unlocked whether the customer signs up for an AT&T service plan or chooses the Device Only purchase option.

Note: All devices sold at the unsubsidized prices of $649 and $749 will be unlocked and can be activated and used on supported GSM carrier networks.

The remainder of the 18-page document covers such topics as the use of a "floater" micro-SIM to activate unlocked iPhones and provide Personal Setup for customers buying devices without an AT&T service plan, purchase limits (five per transaction), exchange processes, and the use of queue cards to manage distribution if customer demand exceeds supply.

Article Link: All 'No Commitment' AT&T iPhone 4 Purchases Coming Unlocked?

 

[justinfreid]

This is fair. Any no commitment phone should be unlocked.
Apple's exclusive relationship with ATT ended with the introduction of the iPhone on Verizon.

 

[Diode]

Hopefully this will pave the way for out of contract phones to be unlocked.....

I'm out of contract now - fingers crossed something happens soon....

 

[gkarris]

This is fair. Any no commitment phone should be unlocked.
Apple's exclusive relationship with ATT ended with the introduction of the iPhone on Verizon.

or to battle the Android onslaught...

 

[pbateman]

So would this technically knock 50 bucks off the price of the phone? I believe the no commitment price for the phone is 599 and if they both come unlocked and I already have an account with ATT I could get the 599 one instead of the 649 and it would be the same thing right?

 

[Ted13]

Hopefully this will pave the way for out of contract phones to be unlocked.....

I'm out of contract now - fingers crossed something happens soon....

Seriously -- out of contract iPhones need to be unlocked. Also, unlocked, full price iPhone 5 from day 1, instead of 10 months after the release, please!

 

[owine]

I wonder if this means my no commitment iPhone 4 purchased at launch can now be unlocked. Hello resale value!

 

[justinfreid]

or to battle the Android onslaught...

Ha, I think it might be about battling the carrier's control over cell phone distribution, too.

 

[WildCowboy]

So would this technically knock 50 bucks off the price of the phone? I believe the no commitment price for the phone is 599 and if they both come unlocked and I already have an account with ATT I could get the 599 one instead of the 649 and it would be the same thing right?

No, Apple has officially raised the no commitment price to $649/$749, same as the unlocked price.

Pricing through AT&T may be different, but those phones will be locked even if purchased as no commitment.

I wonder if this means my no commitment iPhone 4 purchased at launch can now be unlocked. Hello resale value!

Apple does not provide unlocking services for previously purchased phones.

One minor exception: If you purchased a locked iPhone and are still within the 30-day window for returns, Apple can accommodate you by essentially returning the phone and then reselling it to you as an unlocked device.

 

[pbateman]

No, Apple has officially raised the no commitment price to $649/$749, same as the unlocked price.

Pricing through AT&T may be different, but those phones will be locked even if purchased as no commitment.



Apple does not provide unlocking services for previously purchased phones.

One minor exception: If you purchased a locked iPhone and are still within the 30-day window for returns, Apple can accommodate you by essentially returning the phone and then reselling it to you as an unlocked device.

Ahh damn, figured they wouldn't let that one slip by..thanks!

 

[eastercat]

Wow. This really confirms that AT&T lost their gsm exclusivity.

 

[Le Big Mac]

I would be willing to pay for no commitment pricing if AT&T would, in turn, discount my monthly bill by the amount of the implicit subsidy over the course of a two-year contract.