Apple.com has this posted on the iPhone 4s FAQ. This is what it says about unlocked iPhone 4s
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone
If I lose my iPhone, can I buy a replacement iPhone?
Yes. You can purchase a replacement iPhone from the Apple Online Store, an Apple Retail Store, or your carriers store. Your price will depend on whether you qualify for a carrier subsidy.
You can also purchase an unlocked iPhone from the Apple Online Store or Apple Retail Store and obtain a micro-SIM card directly from your supported GSM*carrier.
When I buy from the Apple Online Store, does my iPhone come ready to use?
Yes, if you have selected a mobile phone carrier. When your iPhone arrives, all you have to do is turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up. Theres no need to call the carrier or visit a store to complete the activation.
If you have selected an unlocked GSM phone, you will need to acquire a micro-SIM from the supported GSM carrier of your choice and activate it in order to use your iPhone.
I think you will be able to even pre-order iPhone 4s unlocked because in the last section it says that when your iPhone arrives that all you have to do is turn on your phone and follow the instructions to set it up and that you dont need to vist the store. But than it says if you have unlocked gsm iPhone that you will need to get a sim card. I believe this is referring to iPhone 4s pre-orders.
The only reason why Apple wasn't selling iPhones unlocked is because for the last 4 years Apple had a contract with At&t and they couldn't sell unlocked phones in the U.S.
From what I hear is that when a carrier sells an iPhone to a customer for let's say $199.00( or any carrier price with a 2 year contract), the carrier then pays Apple back for the rest of the phone. About $18.00 a month for 2 years. Carriers make all of their money on contracts and by selling iPhones at a cheaper more affordable price they attract customers to their service.
Now for Apple to sell iPhones unlocked would be the best thing for them because they get the full price of the phone right on the spot directly from the customer instead of dealing with a carrier.
It's obvious that AT&T had a contract with Apple to exclusively sell the iPhone over the past 4 years and when that contract expired with AT&T they signed on Verizon and soon after that they released unlocked iPhone 4.
There is no reason for Apple not to release unlocked iPhone 4s on oct 14 so hopefully they do.
