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"Off Contract" AT&T iPhone 4Ss Already Come Unlocked

Quick question -

So can I buy an unlocked iPhone from AT&T and use it on Verizon?

Don't the new iPhones have CDMA and GSM both?

Also - for any Verizon users like myself - does Verizon keep the GSM part unlocked?

Thank you all!
 
I'm a bit confused, so basically ONLY phones that were purchased with contract will come unlocked? This means I can purchase one from a friend or family member who just renewed or opened contract with say, AT&T or Sprint? This has to be the explanation because I just called my local Apple Store and they said factory unlocked 4S won't be sold until November, date unknown.
 
PigsOnTheWing said:
Wouldn't it make more sense to buy the phones under contract at $199, $299, or $399, and then pay the $325 to break your contract 31 days out, resulting in an end cost of $524, $624, or $724?
Click to expand...
The problem is that you'll still end up with a carrier-locked iPhone.

Also, you need to add one or two months of cellular service (and perhaps the activation fee) to the total cost of the subsidized handset.

Add to that the hassle of trying to jailbreak and unlock the handset (assuming the jailbreak is available). You'll understand why some people will pay full retail for the unlocked device.

Note that in many places on this planet, it's pretty common.
 
heres a break down of all us iPhones available, just look and you will see unlocked phones

New MC637 iPhone 3GS GSM 8GB $375.00
New MD128 iPhone 4 Black GSM 8GB $549.00
New MD146 iPhone 4 Black CDMA 8GB $99.00
New MD127 iPhone 4 Black AT&T 8GB $99.00
New MD198 iPhone 4 White GSM 8GB $549.00
New MD200 iPhone 4 White CDMA 8GB $99.00
New MD197 iPhone 4 White AT&T 8GB $99.00
New MD234 iPhone 4S Black GSM 16GB $649.00
New MD276 iPhone 4S Black Verizon 16GB $199.00
New MD377 iPhone 4S Black Sprint 16GB $199.00
New MC922 iPhone 4S Black AT&T 16GB $199.00
New MD241 iPhone 4S Black GSM 32GB $749.00
New MD278 iPhone 4S Black Verizon 32GB $299.00
New MD379 iPhone 4S Black Sprint 32GB $299.00
New MC923 iPhone 4S Black AT&T 32GB $299.00
New MD257 iPhone 4S Black GSM 64GB $849.00
New MD280 iPhone 4S Black Verizon 64GB $399.00
New MD381 iPhone 4S Black Sprint 64GB $399.00
New MD270 iPhone 4S Black AT&T 64GB $399.00
New MD237 iPhone 4S White GSM 16GB $649.00
New MD277 iPhone 4S White Verizon 16GB $199.00
New MD378 iPhone 4S White Sprint 16GB $199.00
New MC924 iPhone 4S White AT&T 16GB $199.00
New MD244 iPhone 4S White GSM 32GB $749.00
New MD279 iPhone 4S White Verizon 32GB $299.00
New MD380 iPhone 4S White Sprint 32GB $299.00
New MC925 iPhone 4S White AT&T 32GB $299.00
New MD260 iPhone 4S White GSM 64GB $849.00
New MD281 iPhone 4S White Verizon 64GB $399.00
New MD382 iPhone 4S White Sprint 64GB $399.00
 
applefan27073 said:
In Australia we have always been able to purchase unlocked phones - and it is the only way to do it via the Apple Online Store. Have a look at the Australian prices for the iPhone 4S...

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone4s?mco=MjU1NTYxODM

it is shocking!!

16 GB - $799
32 GB - $899
64 GB - $999

Only reason I am complaining is due to the average currency exchange at the moment!
Click to expand...

You think thats bad? Read this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1246480/
 
Interesting. I wonder if AT&T will unlock an iPhones 4S after the two-year contract has been fulfilled. Until now, AT&T has refused to unlock any iPhone. Original iPhones are still locked to AT&T and presumably always will be.

Also interesting how the unlocking seems to be handled through iTunes. Casts some doubt on Apple's repeated claims that "only AT&T can unlock your iPhone." Though I always suspected it was a joint decision to not unlock iPhones in the US.
 
EricNau said:
Interesting. I wonder if AT&T will unlock an iPhones 4S after the two-year contract has been fulfilled. Until now, AT&T has refused to unlock any iPhone. Original iPhones are still locked to AT&T and presumably always will be.

Also interesting how the unlocking seems to be handled through iTunes. Casts some doubt on Apple's repeated claims that "only AT&T can unlock your iPhone." Though I always suspected it was a joint decision to not unlock iPhones in the US.
Click to expand...

It's always been Apple that did the actual unlocking, but their policy is such that only the carrier can authorize an unlock. If Apple started unlocking them on their own, I'm sure the carriers would be rather pissed

In any case, I really hope AT&T starts offering unlocks for their devices. Since the other two carriers are unlocking on request, it's only fair (yea yea, I know, AT&T doesn't owe me crap... whatever, at the very least a device that is no longer subsidized by them should be unlocked)
 
so does this have to be bought in a retail store? i just tried to get one online but it wants to know my ATT phone number to see if i'm eligible for an upgrade. of course, i don't have one.
 
Bobtodd said:
yes you can buy unlocked 4s from any apple store as you can an unlocked 3gs just like you could before the 4s came out.
Click to expand...

Good luck finding a 4S in stock. The Apple website says that they ship in November.
 
I bought two iPhone 4S off-contract from Apple Store on Friday. I said to make sure and do device only when paying. I didn't give them a carrier or phone number. I paid full retail. My receipt says AT&T but are these unlocked. I don't want to open them and break the seal. If they are unlocked I will go do the same thing as soon as I can and get more.
 
oligopoly

It is time to destroy the oligopoly. Come on Apple: it takes ~$30 billions to start your own carrier business!:mad:
 
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benhollberg said:
I bought two iPhone 4S off-contract from Apple Store on Friday. I said to make sure and do device only when paying. I didn't give them a carrier or phone number. I paid full retail. My receipt says AT&T but are these unlocked. I don't want to open them and break the seal. If they are unlocked I will go do the same thing as soon as I can and get more.
Click to expand...
Curious.

I think I will swing by my local Apple Store tomorrow and inquire about the availability of unlocked iPhone 4S'es. I was resigned to wait until November until I read about this development.

If I can get an unlocked handset a few weeks early, that's great. If I can't, I'm perfectly fine waiting. After all, that's what I expected.
 
Last edited:
I had my daughter check for me as I need an unlocked phone for use abroad. The Apple store said they are not yet available but they will be in November. If you purchased an AT&T phone without a contract it would still be locked to AT&T.

He said the one month delay for unlocked phones was a deal Apple made with the carriers in the US.
 
mrsir2009 said:
Awesome. I wish they did that where I lived :(
Click to expand...

Same here. Softbank (in Japan) won't even unlock the iPhone if you paid full price for it AND complete a two-year contract.

I may just have to buy an iPhone 4s the next time I visit the States.
 
Cinch said:
It is time to destroy the oligopoly. Come on Apple: it takes ~$30 billions to start your own carrier business!:mad:
Click to expand...

You don't understand what unlocking is. Unlocking is when your iPhone can use a SIM other than AT&T Verizon or Sprint.
 
mrsir2009 said:
Paying $XXX a month on a contract is even more absurd. You end up having to pay more because it doesn't occur to you that your going to be paying for your iPhone (and then some) over 2 years, rather than giving them the money upfront:rolleyes: It may make sense to some who spend $50 or more on their phone a month, but as someone else said, if you only spend $20 a month on it you'll save a lot.
Click to expand...

I'm not following... but I'm in the US if that matters.

If you buy the full priced iPhone in other countries.... do you play less for service every month?

Let's say I pay $90 a month to use a smartphone... what does it matter if I'm locked in a 2 year contract or not? I'm gonna be paying a monthly fee for service those 2 years anyway.

$200 iPhone 4S + $90 a month

or

$650 iPhone 4S + $90 a month

Why not save a little money on the cost of the phone if you're gonna be paying the same monthly fee for service anyway?
 
adcx64 said:
You don't understand what unlocking is. Unlocking is when your iPhone can use a SIM other than AT&T Verizon or Sprint.
Click to expand...


Bless your heart. You are inside the matrix for too long. Perhaps join the OWS protest for a brief moment outside?
 
Michael Scrip said:
I'm not following... but I'm in the US if that matters.

If you buy the full priced iPhone in other countries.... do you play less for service every month?

Let's say I pay $90 a month to use a smartphone... what does it matter if I'm locked in a 2 year contract or not? I'm gonna be paying a monthly fee for service those 2 years anyway.

$200 iPhone 4S + $90 a month

or

$650 iPhone 4S + $90 a month

Why not save a little money on the cost of the phone if you're gonna be paying the same monthly fee for service anyway?
Click to expand...

That's why you eBay the contract device and buy the unlocked one for yourself if you travel. I wish it were easier, but AT&T is a PITA.
 
Michael Scrip said:
I'm not following... but I'm in the US if that matters.

If you buy the full priced iPhone in other countries.... do you play less for service every month?

Let's say I pay $90 a month to use a smartphone... what does it matter if I'm locked in a 2 year contract or not? I'm gonna be paying a monthly fee for service those 2 years anyway.

$200 iPhone 4S + $90 a month

or

$650 iPhone 4S + $90 a month

Why not save a little money on the cost of the phone if you're gonna be paying the same monthly fee for service anyway?
Click to expand...

Singapore carriers have "SIM only" plans if you already have a phone. Since they are not subsidizing the phone cost, they pass that savings to you. For example, a 2-year contract plan is $38/mo where the same SIM only no contract is $30.40/mo.

http://www.starhub.com/mobile/priceplans.html
 
Hopefully I'll be able to unlock my iPhone 4 in the future and this is just a sign of good things to come.
 
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