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No unlocked iPhone 4S at launch in the US

wratran said:
I was thinking about this route too...

We might have to wait and see after the 12th... To test the gsm portion of verizon and sprint phone

Thinking about buying CDMA at 199 and paid ETF at 350...still cheaper the 650 from att
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I called Verizon this morning and asked the same question. I am currently a VZW subscriber with an iPhone 4. I told the rep I was *happy* to pay full retail for the 4S and maintain my existing contract, but wondered if the GSM slot would be unlocked.

After much tinkering around with internal-to-Verizon discussions, she came back and said that NO, the device will be SIM locked at launch (Likely, vodafone's US roaming micro SIM) with unknown timing IF an unlock procedure happens down the road AT ALL.

I recognize I'm on CDMA/EVDO and can't expect that part to be portable across CDMA carriers, but also locking my SIM slot? Ridiculous.

However, Siri (I'm a busy guy) and 8MP camera (I have kids) are big enough deals I may swallow the SIM lock and grab the 4S anyway.

Hope this is helpful to some folks.
 
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Nobody is scalping phones. What a rediculous argument. Some of us take trips overseas, have overseas sim cards, and want to use our iPhones.

WHY are Canadian consumers allowed to buy a phone that I cannot? Why doesn't Apple want my $650?
 
Well it looks like my money will be going elsewhere then. I have no portable i-device and I'll like to experience iOS5 on it. Also need my iTunes stored music on the go. Guess I'll get a cheap android and a white iPod touch then.

A shame.
 
The Basics...

1) Apple builds the phone
2) Apple prices the phone
3) Apple sells the phones to the carriers and _dictates_ the prices the carriers will charge.

It's in the contract between Apple and the carrier.

So.... If you don't like the circumstances, or the pricing, you have no one to be upset with other than Apple.

If the Android haters get their way, and Android fades into the horizon you can celebrate.

iPhones will only be $2500.00 then.

After all with no competition, I would expect Apple to receive the profit they deserve. That's only fair.

Remember fan boys? You're the ones that have said you hate competition :)
 
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Nobody is disputing the fact that Apple can charge whatever they want an set the terms as they wish. The point is, it's not a smart idea to turn away loyal customers with 650 USD. I have $650 to buy an unlocked phone but Apple won't take it (or so it seems, let's wait for confirm)
 
vitzr said:
3) Apple sells the phones to the carriers and _dictates_ the prices the carriers will charge.

It's in the contract between Apple and the carrier.
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I.... doubt this.

Apple forcing pricing upon consumers through contractual terms with carriers would be a 'beyond arms length' transaction, and therefore, would be illegal under 15USC, Secs. (1) & (2).

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Antitrust_Act

I am **certain** Apple Legal is aware of this, as this is well-settled, black-letter law proscribing contract formation in the United States for nearly the past century. It is the basis of thousands of student-written papers for prospective law students to become something more than 1L's.

How close Apple comes to pushing the limits of this law is a different discussion. ;)
 
Gregintosh said:
I read that post as him wanting to buy an unlocked 4S, sell it for a profit, and use the proceeds to buy the on-contract 4S. If I misread, which appears I have, my bad.

I am referring to all the posts here from the iPad 2 days when EVERYONE was complaining about middle aged asian guys who speak no English buying up all the iPad 2s in every store. I am sure some searches will turn up dozens and dozens of threads complaining about asian men lining up early and snatching up all the iPads and giving them to a ringleader who'd sell them at a large profit overseas that there weren't any left for actual consumers who just wanted one for themselves.

I don't have anything against asians but I do have something against scalpers of every race (to say its racist to say that asian men are big scalpers when it comes to Apple products is like saying its racist/bigoted to point out the 9/11 hijackers were middle eastern muslims). I am not saying I have anything against a racial group, I am just stating the facts of how things are.

If I was a racist, I would not be married to an asian nor would I have chosen an asian country to locate my business (in which I am actually the only non-Asian employee). And yes, I treat my employees very well.
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didnt mean to disrespect you but your tone was insulting in my opinion.

Grimsrud said:
I'm not a "scalper", I just want to get the newest unlocked phone (mainly for the 64GB HD) by selling the one I won't need anymore. It's was a new one from Hong Kong I bought on eBay earlier this year that is still in perfect condition and still under warranty, I have no intent to rip anyone off. Now I'm just going to stick with my current phone until Apple decides to start selling the new one unlocked.
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not gonna happen 4 at least 3 months. and if is the same Apple we all know, I would say it is possible you dont get one by that time either!
 
The rep I just chatted with said that the 4S will be available unlocked.

Ultimately I don't think any of the sales reps know what is right.
 
I am going to buy the iPhone 4S on launch day, then if I ever need an unlocked I'll buy an unlocked when I need it. Unlocked iPhone 4S will come.
 
I just saw on Apple's website that they will start selling unlocked phones sometime in November. A month isn't as bad as I thought it may have been.
 
i think one of the reasons why Apple sells its phone locked in the US is because they want to discourage European (uk as well) clients coming to the US to buy the phone and profit from the exchage rate advantage. This was what an apple store employee said to me in London. He did say that by November they should begin selling unlocked version of the phone in the US as well.
 
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