I bought a device only iPhone 5 (AT&T) at the Apple retail store too. I got off the phone with AT&T and asked them to transfer my number/unlimited data plan to the iPhone 5. The whole process took less than 15 minutes including wait time.
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Is AT&T device only phone factory unlocked?
- Thread starter ansabakhan
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As far as purchasing, I can confirm what others here are saying. Tried at an AT&T Store (just to see what they would say) and would not sell me one without giving them a mobile number, etc. and they said in any case would not be unlocked. So, went to Apple Store after lunch. To my surprise they still had some left. I got an AT&T version but paid full price - 16G Black. On the receipt it says "No Wireless Service Activation during iPhone Sale" and Apple Store confirmed it is essentially unlocked.
I am a bit nervous to try cutting my T-Mobile Micro Sim from my current iPhone4. At any rate I will probably try...
I am a bit nervous to try cutting my T-Mobile Micro Sim from my current iPhone4. At any rate I will probably try...
As far as purchasing, I can confirm what others here are saying. Tried at an AT&T Store (just to see what they would say) and would not sell me one without giving them a mobile number, etc. and they said in any case would not be unlocked. So, went to Apple Store after lunch. To my surprise they still had some left. I got an AT&T version but paid full price - 16G Black. On the receipt it says "No Wireless Service Activation during iPhone Sale" and Apple Store confirmed it is essentially unlocked.
I am a bit nervous to try cutting my T-Mobile Micro Sim from my current iPhone4. At any rate I will probably try...
Wow so it's true?. Do you know what the total is? I was looking @ getting my friend in Cali to get me the 16gb in White @ $649 but maybe there's money on top of this?
Mine was $649 plus tax. And yes, I just told them outright that I was on T-Mo and needed to make sure it was one not tied to a plan or locked in any way.
My guess is that the ones Apple will sell as unlocked in a few weeks are identical but I am not positive.
Yep! Bought my 4S at Apple last year as a "device only" phone before the official ones were released through Apple and it is unlocked.
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I just wanted to confirm that this "unlocked" version, never becomes re-locked right? It stays permanently unlocked right? And if they don't have any in stock today, I can just go on Monday and this will still apply, correct? Thanks.
All US phones for any mayor carrier are factory locked. If you paid full price that only means you have no contract. But the phone is locked. All you have to do is call Att and ask them to unlock the phone for you since you paid full price. The only way they wont unlock your phone is if your account still have a contract.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
why would anyone get an unlocked verizon version iPhone 5 isn't that phone CDMA only? it's not going to work elsewhere...
I just wanted to confirm that this "unlocked" version, never becomes re-locked right? It stays permanently unlocked right? And if they don't have any in stock today, I can just go on Monday and this will still apply, correct? Thanks.
As far as I know, it remains unlocked. But, someone else might want to chime in and respond just for further confirmation. I know there was a rather lengthy thread when the 4S came out about this very subject on MacRumors. I'm sure if you do a quick search, it should still be here.
the verizon model is not gsm, i thought there were two gsm models... and one cdma model
don't quote me on this
It's a CDMA / GSM worldphone, like the iPhone 4S - the reason it's sold as Verizon- and Sprint-only is because in the US, it doesn't cover AT&T's LTE bands. Obviously, if you're a US AT&T customer you'd prefer the AT&T version. But it also takes GSM sim cards so can work with AT&T and T-Mobile GSM just like the iPhone 4S did.
Thankfully, the Verizon "no commitment" devices are UNLOCKED. There's a video on YouTube from iDownload explaining it and I've verified it myself.
Went to Apple Store this morning and bought 16gb $649+tax "no commitment" Verizon version. Cut down my AT&T GoPhone SIM and inserted it, turned it on, activated without iTunes, AT&T 3G and "4G" (but not LTE) data is working fine. And my UK (Vodafone / GiffGaff) SIM cards both work fine too.
I think you need to read the rest of this thread. In addition to those sharing their experiences in this thread, I've PERSONALLY had experience with both the 4S last year and the ip5 this year, paying full-priced, non-contract, "device only", AT&T iPhone -- it is permanently FACTORY UNLOCKED, not dependent on jailbreaks/geveys, and will always stay factory unlocked even when you restore/upgrade.
there is no such thing as an international version, there are three models two gsm ones and one cdma that also carries gsm a bit confusing, I'd suggest you to investigate your countrys LTE carrier bands before purchasing
Model A1428 GSM (AT&T ONE)
LTE BANDS
4 (AWS)
17 (700b MHz)
Model A1429 (CDMA + GSM) verizon one
LTE BANDS
1 (2.100 MHz)
3 (1.800 MHz)
5 (850 MHz)
13 (700c MHz)
25 (1.900 MHz)
Model A1429
(model GSM) THIS IS THE UK/AUS/JPN ONE
LTE
1 (2.100 MHz)
3 (1.800 MHz)
5 (850 MHz)
source: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
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oh sorry didn't know that the CDMA version was also GSM the apple website doesn't tell you at all.
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EDIT: Ah sorry you changed your post. We agree, hooray!
I think I made that clear in my reply: it is a CDMA / GSM world phone.
It's not an LTE world phone because, as you note, there are different bands for different regions.
But the Verizon version works on UK LTE bands (1,3,5) which is what I needed. It also works on AT&T GSM (not LTE).
Obviously there's nothing I can do if you choose to disbelieve me.
I think I made that clear in my reply: it is a CDMA / GSM world phone.
It's not an LTE world phone because, as you note, there are different bands for different regions.
But the Verizon version works on UK LTE bands (1,3,5) which is what I needed. It also works on AT&T GSM (not LTE).
Obviously there's nothing I can do if you choose to disbelieve me.
wow, had to search that video myself --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usr9rp5VUVs
a device-only Verizon iPhone 5 (A1429 CDMA) would seem to be the best unit to buy for purposes of sending to Europe/Asia
Thank you for the clarification, apollo1444. I will try to see if I get lucky with one soon. I was originally going to purchase two phones, one AT&T and one unlocked (for international use). Now I can just get an unlocked one, and return the subsidized one I have.
Thank you!
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If what he said was true, then if I purchase the Verizon iPhone 5 unlocked, I would be able to place SIM cards from GSM networks in Asia to use?
Thank you!
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If what he said was true, then if I purchase the Verizon iPhone 5 unlocked, I would be able to place SIM cards from GSM networks in Asia to use?
the first white iphone 4 i bought at full price from apple was locked to AT&T. a few months later they increased the price and sold an unlocked version.
Yep, provided they use the same GSM bands.
My AT&T and UK sim cards work fine in the Verizon "no commitment" device.