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i called 3 apple reps from three different cities and 2 att reps like 45 minutes ago. they all said it will work without att activation. so i am believing that more now.
Regardless, you'll have 30 days to return the phone for a refund if it doesn't.

The official AT&T statement on the iPhone 4 (that was posted above) does say that the "no commitment" price requires a voice and data plan though. :confused:
 

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I guess I just really don't understand why AT&T would sell you a device that they're not going to make any money on (no subsidy and no cell/data plan).
 
Regardless, you'll have 30 days to return the phone for a refund if it doesn't.

The official AT&T statement on the iPhone 4 (that was posted above) does say that the "no commitment" price requires a voice and data plan though. :confused:
whats confusing is that, it says its required, but what exactly is it required for?
is it required for voice/data services? if so, then thats no problem.
but if its required for ipod/photo/camera etc features then that would be troublesome.
 
I think if you buy it from AT&T, they'll make you get service, but if you buy it from an Apple store, you won't have to.
 
I think if you buy it from AT&T, they'll make you get service, but if you buy it from an Apple store, you won't have to.

Alright so we just have to find out if at the apple store it is required to purchase a voice and data plan.

If you don't have to I just might come down from Canada and use it as a glorified ipod touch until the unlock comes out.
 
i called 3 apple reps from three different cities and 2 att reps like 45 minutes ago. they all said it will work without att activation. so i am believing that more now.

It will work, but not as a phone without AT&T contract or third party unlock.
 
Regardless, you'll have 30 days to return the phone for a refund if it doesn't.

The official AT&T statement on the iPhone 4 (that was posted above) does say that the "no commitment" price requires a voice and data plan though. :confused:

You are correct, whilst it's not a contract, you need a voice and data plan for the iPhone. Their sweeping will automatically put you on one.
 
You are correct, whilst it's not a contract, you need a voice and data plan for the iPhone. Their sweeping will automatically put you on one.

That is absolutely incorrect. When buying a no-commitment phone directly from Apple, you don't give AT&T any of your information, so it's impossible for them to put you on a plan even if they wanted to!

An iPhone bought at full price works just fine without a contract.
 
to the OP, do whatever you want. obviously you think the rep from Apple and AT&T know what they are talking about. so just do what they say.
 
That is absolutely incorrect. When buying a no-commitment phone directly from Apple, you don't give AT&T any of your information, so it's impossible for them to put you on a plan even if they wanted to!

An iPhone bought at full price works just fine without a contract.

I am assuming that OP is not going round the full way of doing things properly, but still ends up using AT&T's network.
 
does anyone know if Apple and/or AT&T be taking preorders for those who want to buy it at the no contract price on June 15th, or will we have to wait until some date in the future?
 
does anyone know if Apple and/or AT&T be taking preorders for those who want to buy it at the no contract price on June 15th, or will we have to wait until some date in the future?

I dont think there is enough information available to answer this question. In order to pre-order at AT&T I do know that you will need an exsiting account or new activation.
 
does anyone know if Apple and/or AT&T be taking preorders for those who want to buy it at the no contract price on June 15th, or will we have to wait until some date in the future?
Currently both order systems check your eligiblity to determine the equipment price offered. Those customers that don't qualify the full subsidy price or the reduced subsidy will be offered the "No Commitment" price.

The current process requires you to have a voice / data plan at activation. You are not required to have a two-year service commitment.

No Commitment pricing does not require a two-year term commitment, but does require both voice and data service.​
source: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=30863

Dave
 
I bought a 3GS in October for full price at an Apple retail store without an AT&T service plan or contract. I had to sign an agreement saying that I wouldn't use it with any carrier other than AT&T, but then the sales rep gave me the sealed, boxed phone with no problems.

Will you get in trouble if you still go to another carrier ? Because I know I won't use AT&T service.
So if I were to jailbreak it (if it's available), would they ever find out that I am using the iPhone with a carrier other than AT&T ?
I seriously don't want to go through the trouble of having to deal with AT&T at all.
 
Currently both order systems check your eligiblity to determine the equipment price offered. Those customers that don't qualify the full subsidy price or the reduced subsidy will be offered the "No Commitment" price.
what if I am a new customer but don't want to sign a two-year agreement. will the pre-order system allow me to simply pay the No Commitment price?

The current process requires you to have a voice / data plan at activation. You are not required to have a two-year service commitment.
Can I pre-order the phone without signing up for any plan whatsoever? I already have a sim with a data plan that I plan to use, but don't want to link that phone number to the new iphone purchase.
 
So how does it work? I pre order the iPhone 4 for 199 and let it ship to my home.

Can anyone pre order the iPhone even if you don't have an ATT contract? Or will you have to give your ATT information when pre ordering the iPhone?
 
Just to clear the fuss behind the No Commitment iPhone. You can legally purchase at full price the iphone and use the pay as you go chip. At least this is the way I do it. I dont have internet, but then again there are millions wifi spots all over. Dude, my monthly plan????? nope, no plan. Pay 3 bucks per day and use it as much as you want and if you dont use the phone, you dont get charge! Last month I called 1300 minutes and I paid 66 bucks! I think Att is the worst company ever, they do not provide the service an iphone owner deserves.
 
Not looking to hijack the thread but I have a similar question.

I live in Denmark, and my mom is going to the States two weeks after the release of the iPhone 4. Would she be able to buy it - no commitment - and then bring it with her home to Denmark so I could use it with a Danish carrier? Or would I have to wait for the unlock before I could use it?
 
I guess I just really don't understand why AT&T would sell you a device that they're not going to make any money on (no subsidy and no cell/data plan).

When you see the no commitment price you will understand. What you pay takes care of what AT&T paid for the phone plus some profit.
 
why dont you just buy an ipod touch, pretty much the same as an iphone but with no data and a damn sight cheaper
 
Answers to all the questions in this thread

I've done a lot of research. Made a lot of calls to AT&T + Apple. My situation is that I'm leaving Australia on July 7 to be in Korea for 6 months on business. I want to get 2x iPhone 4's (one for my fiance as well). I need them unlocked. If I wait until late-July, I'll have to import 2x iPhone 4's at over $500 more per piece rather than buying them outright from AT&T right now.

So here's an FAQ for you all...

(1) Can I buy the iPhone 4 w/ No Commitment from AT&T? What do I need to do it?

Answer: You require a US Social Security Number, a US Credit Card, and to place your pre-order via Apple Online/Phone/In-Store or via AT&T online/dealers/in-store. Apple will NOT offer the Family Plan that AT&T will be. Family Plan means if you want 2x iPhone 4's like I do, you can use ONE person's SSN + credit card to place an order for 2 phones together on one plan. Read the next Q&A about why you'd want do that.

(2) Can I get around having a US SSN and US Credit Card to get the iPhone 4 in the US upon release or via pre-order?

Answer: NO! Absolutely not. If you don't have an SSH & US Credit Card you are not getting an iPhone in the US on launch unless you know a dealer that will sell a phone out-of-contract on special terms (good luck finding one because they have no reason to bend over with the demand of this device).

(3) How much will a No Commitment plan from AT&T cost me w/ iPhone 4 and how does it work if I want to get out of it?

Answer: Based on necessary MINIMUMS (other options are more expensive on AT&T plans), you will have to pay $599/$699 (16GB/32GB) outright for the iPhone 4 itself. You will pay $36 activation fee for phone #1, and $26 for each additional phone added to the family line. You'll be required to pay $15 per phone for data plans. The most basic family line voice subscription is $59.99 for 2 phones and $9.99 for each additional line. In other words, if you want 2x 32GB iPhone 4's like I do, you'll be paying:

($699x2) + ($60) + ($15x2) + ($36+$26) = $1,550 for TWO 32GB iPhone 4's. If you wanted just ONE you'd be paying $810 ($699+$60+$15+$36).

AFTER you sign-up to the No Commitment plan, you can sync the iPhone 4 with iTunes where it will activate via Apple's verification/registration. This will enable all iPhone 4 features except voice/3G data service. At this point, you can activate AT&T - or not. This would then give you service in the US. Otherwise it will read - "No Service Found".

(4) Do I get my $ back for the extras AT&T wanted?

Answer: YES! You will get back your activation fee provided you cancel within 3 days (see their contract it states this). You will get back your data/voice plan subscription fees based on the time you didn't use. So, if you used it for 2 days and then canceled, you'll get back (28/30)% of your fees back, refunded to your credit card.

(5) Will my AT&T iPhone work anywhere outside the USA?

Answer: Sure, as a glorified iPod Touch. But until iPhone Dev-Team verifies their intended iPhone 4 unlock + iOS4 jailbreak works properly, you will have an iPhone 4 outside the US that is incapable of getting voice/data service from ANY OTHER CARRIER.

(6) Will AT&T ever give unlock codes for their iPhone 4's?

Answer: NO. Under no circumstances will they.

(7) Will Apple sell an iPhone 4 at any point in the next few months in the US if it is not accompanied by an AT&T contract?

Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT. Apple's contract with AT&T requires that all new iPhone 4's be activated with an AT&T contract. This is why the No Commitment Plan itself is a month-to-month agreement and that Apple needs to sign customers onto it. It means that Apple is acting as an AGENT for AT&T by transferring the OEM/Client relationship from Apple/Consumer to AT&T/Consumer. This makes AT&T liable for all service-related issues and limits Apple's liability. It also gives AT&T the power to force Apple to not sell their phones to anyone else until a cooling-off period passes.

* END OF FAQ *

In other words.. You are faced with one of two choices, if you even have the option of signing an AT&T plan in the US with an SSN/credit card (because that's how their transaction processing systems will approve new activations/phone purchases):

OPTION #1 - Use your US SSN/Credit Card & get a No Commitment plan. Cross your fingers for iPhone Dev-Team's iPhone 4/iOS4 unlock/jailbreak to work in late-June/early July, and if it doesn't, sell your locked/mainly useless phone on eBay BEFORE late-July, which leads to option #2...

OPTION #2 - Wait until Late-July when a short-list of countries receives iPhone 4's for unlocked sale. In Australia, where I am, in late July, you can walk into any number of retailers and simply buy the phone outright. No activation or contract whatsoever.

A Hint from my research: The cheapest place to buy an iPhone 4 is in Hong Kong. Chinese government is dumping have a $Billion into subsidizing phone costs and the iPhone 4 32GB will retail in Hong Kong for roughly $640 USD. Don't believe me? I've checked all of Apple's global sites for pricing and Hong Kong will sell unlocked iPhone 4's. Their 32GB 3GS equivalent right now sells unlocked for $4,988 Hong Kong Dollars. This is $640 USD right now. Pricing is going to be in line as before. The hardware pricing has not changed. So why would it go up in Hong Kong and nowhere else when Chinese government is spending $492 million to subsidize mobile phone networks and consumer purchases to equip their consumer population with cell phones?

Seriously, I should be an analyst. I know way too much.
 
I've done a lot of research. Made a lot of calls to AT&T + Apple. My situation is that I'm leaving Australia on July 7 to be in Korea for 6 months on business. I want to get 2x iPhone 4's (one for my fiance as well). I need them unlocked. If I wait until late-July, I'll have to import 2x iPhone 4's at over $500 more per piece rather than buying them outright from AT&T right now.

Sorry man im not very good at english to understand everything you wrote but wil you give me a straight answer for my question? I will be on vacation at miami in october, is there anyway to buy the 16 GB iphone 4 for $599 there and use it temporary as an ipod?
 
AFTER you sign-up to the No Commitment plan, you can sync the iPhone 4 with iTunes where it will activate via Apple's verification/registration. This will enable all iPhone 4 features except voice/3G data service. At this point, you can activate AT&T - or not. This would then give you service in the US. Otherwise it will read - "No Service Found".

(7) Will Apple sell an iPhone 4 at any point in the next few months in the US if it is not accompanied by an AT&T contract?

Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT. Apple's contract with AT&T requires that all new iPhone 4's be activated with an AT&T contract. This is why the No Commitment Plan itself is a month-to-month agreement and that Apple needs to sign customers onto it. It means that Apple is acting as an AGENT for AT&T by transferring the OEM/Client relationship from Apple/Consumer to AT&T/Consumer. This makes AT&T liable for all service-related issues and limits Apple's liability. It also gives AT&T the power to force Apple to not sell their phones to anyone else until a cooling-off period passes.

@allendsmeet : Can't you just get the iPhone, and wait til an unlocks comes out? Meanwhile you could use your old phone or something. So you don't have to deal with imports.
Apple requires you to activate with an AT&T contract ? But spicyj said :

I bought a 3GS in October for full price at an Apple retail store without an AT&T service plan or contract. I had to sign an agreement saying that I wouldn't use it with any carrier other than AT&T, but then the sales rep gave me the sealed, boxed phone with no problems.

Since I'm in the US, it came with an AT&T SIM card installed. When I turned it on, it wanted to be connected to iTunes and wouldn't let me use it, so I connected it up. iTunes talked to some Apple server and then my phone became activated and then I could use it for all of the non-cellular functions just fine. (Even the GPS worked!) The two or three times I restored the phone after that I needed the SIM card back in just to activate it, but apart from that, I left the SIM card out of the phone (though it works just fine with it in as well; it says "No Service").

So, unless they've changed something since the 3GS, you'll be good to go.

Also I think all iPhones come with the AT&T (or w/e) micro-Sim, so my question is :
1) If I were to travel outside the US and had to restore my iPhone and use the micro-Sim to activate, using that micro-Sim would work right ?
2) And it won't charge me any fees, when self-done ?
3) If unlocks are available, do I have to worry about the Sim, when trying to activate the iPhone via jailbreak ? Or is there no need for a Sim at all ?
4) I will get service once I put any Sim (that has service) in my iPhone, once it is unlocked, correct ?

I'm fine with waiting for a jailbreak-unlock to come out, I just want to be sure that I can use it outside the US too (when unlocked). So that I can use any service I want. Without any restriction.
 
does anyone who bought a no commitment iPhone 3GS remember if there were any fees associated with buying one besides tax? If so, where did you buy it from?
 
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