Buy Unlocked 4S or not?

[bailcam]

I'm planning on purchasing the iPhone 4S for me and my wife at launch. We just found out we will be moving to Germany in 8 months (on military orders). We both have been waiting for the iPhone for a long time as we are Verizon users who didn't jump at the iPhone 4 becuase of anticipating the iPhone 4S/5. Anyway, if I buy an iPhone 4S on contract will Verizon unlock the phone when I move out of country or should I buy unlocked iPhones?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

They might, you'll want to read the fine print in the contract prior to signing. Currently their contract contains this text as part of the "My Wireless Device" section:

By activating Service that uses a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, you agree we own the intellectual property and software in the SIM card, that we may change the software or other data in the SIM card remotely and without notice, and we may utilize any capacity in the SIM card for administrative, network, business and/or commercial purposes. If you bought a wireless device for Postpay Service from Verizon Wireless that doesn't use a SIM card, and you want to reprogram it for use with another wireless network, the default programming code is set to "000000" or "123456." But please note that your wireless device may not work with another wireless network, or the other wireless carrier may not accept your wireless device on its network. If you activate a wireless device for Prepaid Service, during the first six (6) months after activation, it can only be used for Prepaid Service. The iPhone 4 is configured to work only with the wireless services of Verizon Wireless and may not work on another carrier's network, even after completion of your contract term.

So, it looks like they are not generally opposed to you taking the phone to another carrier.

If you do get a contract phone, you'll have the Early Termination Fee of about $270 per phone to pay if you cancel after 8 months. Still cheaper than buying an unlocked, but I would suggest you have something IN WRITING that states your phones will be unlocked for use with any carrier after your contract ends or is terminated early with fee paid.

 

[LapsangSouchong]

Are there good CDMA carriers where you'll be? That should factor into your decision as well. I took my unlocked iPhone (GSM) to Germany last year and had no problems. I just bought a pre-pay Tmobile Sim for it. But I'm not sure about CDMA carriers.