Does Apple let you preorder and pay in full when the new iPhones are released?

[bobright]

So I'm trying to see how I'm going to go about purchasing in advance. I don't want a contract and want to pay my phone in full. If they are announced on the 9th and start taking preorders, can we buy it in full (does Apple usually allow this)? What am I roughly looking at based on past iPhones for a 32GB around $749?

I know no one knows for certain what's going to happen but I'm just curious based on past iPhone releases. I always got my phones subsidized but don't plan on doing that this year.

 

[juanrp]

Last year, only the 5c was available for preorder, the 5S wasn't. The year before that (2012) the 5 was available for preorder.

On launch day, you can order your phone with a contract or on tmobile (without contract). If you get the tmobile version, you can just switch out the SIM card to the carrier you choose.

The sim free version comes a bit after the original launch.

 

[mac.cali]

No. Only contracts are available to order. If you want to pay full retail, you can try the apple store your carieer.

 

[EM2013]

On launch day, you can order your phone with a contract or on tmobile (without contract). If you get the tmobile version, you can just switch out the SIM card to the carrier you choose.

It doesn't work with sprint though right? Or does it?

 

[mac.cali]

It doesn't work with sprint though right? Or does it?

Don't think so.

 

[iDuel]

It doesn't work with sprint though right? Or does it?

It won't work with Sprint unless you specifically buy a Sprint iPhone. The downside to that is that you won't be able to use that phone on another domestic carrier.

I believe that in the past places like Bestbuy and Radioshack have accepted preorders on iPhones. Apple didn't for the 5s, so there's no definite answer as of right now.

 

[EM2013]

It won't work with Sprint unless you specifically buy a Sprint iPhone. The downside to that is that you won't be able to use that phone on another domestic carrier.

I believe that in the past places like Bestbuy and Radioshack have accepted preorders on iPhones. Apple didn't for the 5s, so there's no definite answer as of right now.

Do you know if you can purchase a sprint iphone at full price through apple when you preorder/order? I've asked this before and have gotten different answers.

 

[bobright]

It won't work with Sprint unless you specifically buy a Sprint iPhone. The downside to that is that you won't be able to use that phone on another domestic carrier.

I believe that in the past places like Bestbuy and Radioshack have accepted preorders on iPhones. Apple didn't for the 5s, so there's no definite answer as of right now.

How about AT&T have they ever allowed to buy the phone in full on launch? I don't know if going the Tmobile route is a good option don't want to limit myself if I ever do sell it where it wouldn't be able to get hooked up to certain carriers.

 

[juanrp]

It doesn't work with sprint though right? Or does it?

T-mobile (like AT&T) is a GSM carrier while sprint and verizon are CDMA carriers.

EDIT: From Apple's website.

An iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, or iPhone 4s activated on Sprint or Verizon Wireless also has the ability to roam internationally on GSM networks using the provided SIM.

Check with your carrier.

 

[iDuel]

Do you know if you can purchase a sprint iphone at full price through apple when you preorder/order? I've asked this before and have gotten different answers.

I'm not totally sure as I've never purchased a Sprint phone at full price at launch. For preorders I believe that they would reserve any stock they have for the standard 2-year contract people.

How about AT&T have they ever allowed to buy the phone in full on launch? I don't know if going the Tmobile route is a good option don't want to limit myself if I ever do sell it where it wouldn't be able to get hooked up to certain carriers.

From what I have been told, unless you are purchasing the iPhone in full for use on AT&T's network, they probably won't sell you one until at least a week after launch. Every store is different in their policy concerning that, so I would check your local store at launch. I have heard of people on this board purchasing an iPhone in full from Verizon* on launch day with no issues; you might want to consider that.

*Verizon's iPhones work on all carriers except for Sprint as the SIM card slot is factory unlocked.