If I buy from an AT&T store, will I be forced to pick a plan or can I just buy it without a plan for US$399? I will be unlocking it so I don't want to have to buy a plan. If I buy from Apple, I can just buy it for the $399, right?
You can buy the iPhone from AT&T or from the Apple retail store without choosing a plan, the iPhone isnt activated until you go through iTunes to activate it or unlock it to use it on another carrier.
some people have reported to having to give the att store your email and other kinds of info, but if thats the case just tell them its a gift and everything should be fine....