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Does iphone 5s come unlocked if you buy from the Apple store?

M

MacChinoNyc

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 14, 2008
427
7
Just curious, as I plan on getting a pay as you go type of plan.

Anyone do this in the ny/nj area? Whats the best option for a pay as you go plan?
 
They do come unlocked, and I believe the t-mobile variant is the best one to get since it supports all of the bands on all of the carrier, but someone else would need to confirm that.
 
Buy ANY model 5S except Sprint "version" at FULL retail price directly from Apple store and it will be unlocked.

My suggestion: buy the Verizon model since that version is unlocked for ANY GSM network and also easy to activate on Verizon if you choose.

Again do NOT buy the Sprint version if you have no intention on using Sprint or any MVNO that uses Sprint's towers.
 
Last edited:
Akack said:
Buy ANY model 5S except Sprint "version" at FULL retail price directly from Apple store and it will be unlocked.

My suggestion: buy the Verizon model since that version is unlocked for ANY GSM network and also easy to activate on Verizon if you choose.
Click to expand...

Really about the verizon version? Problem is if I pick a verizon version wont they make me get a plan at time of purchase? I think that would be the case. I'd be fine with a gsm version. I guess I can then walk into a tmobile store for a monthly plan/sims card? Or maybe even a walmart to buy a monthly sims card?
 
MacChinoNyc said:
Really about the verizon version? Problem is if I pick a verizon version wont they make me get a plan at time of purchase? I think that would be the case. I'd be fine with a gsm version. I guess I can then walk into a tmobile store for a monthly plan/sims card? Or maybe even a walmart to buy a monthly sims card?
Click to expand...

Just buy the SIM free version at the Apple store.
 
MacChinoNyc said:
Really about the verizon version? Problem is if I pick a verizon version wont they make me get a plan at time of purchase? I think that would be the case. I'd be fine with a gsm version. I guess I can then walk into a tmobile store for a monthly plan/sims card? Or maybe even a walmart to buy a monthly sims card?
Click to expand...

Yes just go to Apple Store and ask to buy a Verizon model FULL price and you don't want to sign contract.

Do not ask the Apple employee if the Verizon one is unlocked since they will tell you it is not unlocked.

I'm using a Verizon 5S on T Mobile since day one. Why you ask....I was thinking of switching to Verizon but decided to stick with TMobile.

Long story short, verizon phones are required by law to be unlocked for use on gsm networks.
 
Akack said:
Yes just go to Apple Store and ask to buy a Verizon model FULL price and you don't want to sign contract.

Do not ask the Apple employee if the Verizon one is unlocked since they will tell you it is not unlocked.

I'm using a Verizon 5S on T Mobile since day one. Why you ask....I was thinking of switching to Verizon but decided to stick with TMobile.

Long story short, verizon phones are required by law to be unlocked for use on gsm networks.
Click to expand...

But would you get LTE speeds on TMO or ATT? Or in another country like a gsm model would?
 
Akack said:
Buy ANY model 5S except Sprint "version" at FULL retail price directly from Apple store and it will be unlocked.

My suggestion: buy the Verizon model since that version is unlocked for ANY GSM network and also easy to activate on Verizon if you choose.

Again do NOT buy the Sprint version if you have no intention on using Sprint or any MVNO that uses Sprint's towers.
Click to expand...
This is correct as far as Sprint goes. My understanding of Verizon though is that Verizon (like Sprint) is a CDMA network.

In any case, full price for a Sprint iPhone simply means contract free. Sprint will not unlock for domestic use for any reason - ever. Most people, especially international users who are not aware of Sprint's unlock policy, don't understand this and end up screwing themselves. Apple employees for the most part also do not understand Sprint's unlock policy and will tell you that a Sprint iPhone at full price is unlocked because they "assume."
 
My biggest challenge would be for the apple store to sell me a verizon model off contract? Or not that big of a challenge? I mean if not, then a verizon store would sell me an off contract phone as well no?
 
MacChinoNyc said:
My biggest challenge would be for the apple store to sell me a verizon model off contract? Or not that big of a challenge? I mean if not, then a verizon store would sell me an off contract phone as well no?
Click to expand...

The Apple store will have no problem selling it to you, but why not get the official SIM-free version then you won't have to explain to prospective buyers that the version you bought as "Verizon" at full price is a world iPhone?
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
The Apple store will have no problem selling it to you, but why not get the official SIM-free version then you won't have to explain to prospective buyers that the version you bought as "Verizon" at full price is a world iPhone?
Click to expand...

Because seems the verizon 5s version is the most versatile out the box.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1637205/

I find it pretty cool it does cdma and gsm even internationally. I may want to try a verizon pay as you go in the future as well. As far as selling it, I wouldnt have a problem testing it out with the buyer so they see it works on their carrier. I've done that before with other unlocked devices.
 
MacChinoNyc said:
Because seems the verizon 5s version is the most versatile out the box.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1637205/

I find it pretty cool it does cdma and gsm even internationally. I may want to try a verizon pay as you go in the future as well. As far as selling it, I wouldnt have a problem testing it out with the buyer so they see it works on their carrier. I've done that before with other unlocked devices.
Click to expand...

If you want to try Verizon at some point, then yes get the Verizon version at full price.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
The Apple store will have no problem selling it to you, but why not get the official SIM-free version then you won't have to explain to prospective buyers that the version you bought as "Verizon" at full price is a world iPhone?
Click to expand...

being they are the exact same phone, he could sell it as a SIM-free
 
mattopotamus said:
being they are the exact same phone, he could sell it as a SIM-free
Click to expand...

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. They're the same model (A1533), but this model is available in two different variants (GSM and CDMA). I believe the SIM-free version is the GSM variant (basically the same as T-Mobile or AT&T unlocked) whereas the Verizon is the CDMA variant (which also supports GSM).

But, yes, the OP can sell it as officially unlocked.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. They're the same model (A1533), but this model is available in two different variants (GSM and CDMA). I believe the SIM-free version is the GSM variant (basically the same as T-Mobile or AT&T unlocked) whereas the Verizon is the CDMA variant (which also supports GSM).

But, yes, the OP can sell it as officially unlocked.
Click to expand...

The Verizon model is the same hardware as the AT&T/T-Mobile/SIM-free model, but the ESN(or whatever Verizon uses in this case) is pre-registered with Verizon so they'll actually activate the phone if you'd like to use it in tier network. At least that's how I understand it.
 
T5BRICK said:
The Verizon model is the same hardware as the AT&T/T-Mobile/SIM-free model, but the ESN(or whatever Verizon uses in this case) is pre-registered with Verizon so they'll actually activate the phone if you'd like to use it in tier network. At least that's how I understand it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's basically how it is.
 
T5BRICK said:
The Verizon model is the same hardware as the AT&T/T-Mobile/SIM-free model, but the ESN(or whatever Verizon uses in this case) is pre-registered with Verizon so they'll actually activate the phone if you'd like to use it in tier network. At least that's how I understand it.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. So the Verizon version is a bit more versatile in that you can use it but not the T-Mobile/AT&T/SIM-unlocked version on Verizon.
 
is buying a no contract phone like buying anything else? like i wouldn't need my mom to sign anything for me to get a new phone, since she pays the bill.
 
I bought AT&T full price on launch day and it came unlocked. I believe there's only a few variants of the 5S. They are locked to the carrier once you sign a contract.

MacChinoNyc said:
Just curious, as I plan on getting a pay as you go type of plan.

Anyone do this in the ny/nj area? Whats the best option for a pay as you go plan?
Click to expand...

AT&T Gophone $60 plan.

Gives you 2GB of data (LTE/4G) and unlimited calls and texts. Once you're in you can buy refills on eBay or callingmart for about $50-55
 
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