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no contract iPhone 5s

S

Scuba629

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 14, 2010
249
5
I was wondering if at launch the iPhone 5s was available to purchase outside of a 2 year commitment plan. I just recently went to AT&T family value plan and to keep the discounts either need to buy a phone at full price or use the AT&T Next option.

I don't like the AT&T Next option so I would like to pay $749 for the phone from Apple or AT&T. Was that possible at launch last year? Or did everyone have to wait?

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Also if you were able to purchase the phone this way how did you get your SIM? It seems you have to visit an AT&T store to get a new micro SIM card? Will the one from my existing phone work?
 
ugcop said:
Was it unlocked version or full price with ATT sim and locked to ATT?
Click to expand...

yeah I guess that's my main question. I dont know what was offered when the iPhone 5s launched. I see the SIM-free option now but that currently is the only way I can buy the phone out of contract via Apples site.
 
I bought a T-Mobile 5S at launch (sim free wasn't available at that time). Removed the T-Mobile SIM that came with it and inserted the AT&T SIM from my iPhone 5.

The Apple store website wouldn't allow you to select an AT&T phone without renewing or signing up for a new 2 year contract. That may change with the iPhone 6 launch, since AT&T is trying to move away from subsidies now.
 
CEmajr said:
They had them available at launch. Just buy the "T-Mobile" one, toss the sim card and put your AT&T sim card into it.
Click to expand...

Or buy the Verizon one and do the same thing. You'll be able to use it on Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, instead of just AT&T or T-Mobile.
 
T5BRICK said:
Or buy the Verizon one and do the same thing. You'll be able to use it on Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, instead of just AT&T or T-Mobile.
Click to expand...

I think Verizon phones are locked?

When you pick the T-Moblie phone are you selecting an unlocked phone?
 
Scuba629 said:
I think Verizon phones are locked?

When you pick the T-Moblie phone are you selecting an unlocked phone?
Click to expand...

No, all Verizon iPhones have been unlocked since the iPhone 5 due to the FCC laws on Verizon's LTE bands. The phone will work on both Verizon and most GSM networks (AT&T included). The Verizon 5s will work on AT&Ts LTE and 4G bands.

In reality, the Verizon iPhone is more versatile then even the unlocked iPhone as the Verizon model can be used on Verizon or GSM carriers and the unlocked model will only work on GSM networks. My guess is also the resale value will be higher. Just hold onto the Verizon SIM incase you decided to switch.
 
iamMacPerson said:
No, all Verizon iPhones have been unlocked since the iPhone 5 due to the FCC laws on Verizon's LTE bands. The phone will work on both Verizon and most GSM networks (AT&T included). The Verizon 5s will work on AT&Ts LTE and 4G bands.

In reality, the Verizon iPhone is more versatile then even the unlocked iPhone as the Verizon model can be used on Verizon or GSM carriers and the unlocked model will only work on GSM networks. My guess is also the resale value will be higher. Just hold onto the Verizon SIM incase you decided to switch.
Click to expand...

Do I lose anything by getting a Verizon phone? Like do I miss one GSM radio because I need to have their CDMA stuff?
 
like others said, you can buy it at full retail price. They do not "officially" sell the SIM free versions until a few months after launch though.
 
Pretty sure you can always buy them at full price from the Apple Store on launch day.

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Scuba629 said:
Do I lose anything by getting a Verizon phone? Like do I miss one GSM radio because I need to have their CDMA stuff?
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe that the Verizon iPhones are unable to get LTE on GSM networks. I think you can get HSPA+ on it though. At least that's how it was on the iPhone 5.
 
rockitdog said:
Pretty sure you can always buy them at full price from the Apple Store on launch day.

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Yes, I believe that the Verizon iPhones are unable to get LTE on GSM networks. I think you can get HSPA+ on it though. At least that's how it was on the iPhone 5.
Click to expand...

True for 5 but not for 5S.

The verizon 5S is identical to the GSM 5S, only difference is the verizon 5S has CDMA enabled. Thus with a Verizon 5S you can get LTE on ATT or TMobile.
 
Akack said:
True for 5 but not for 5S.

The verizon 5S is identical to the GSM 5S, only difference is the verizon 5S has CDMA enabled. Thus with a Verizon 5S you can get LTE on ATT or TMobile.
Click to expand...

I guess when the iPhone 6 comes out it will be the same. Sounds like that is the phone I should be looking to get next upgrade.
 
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