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

[D.T.]

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?

So you can't access data everywhere like with 3G, you have to be on wi-fi to make or receive calls (without eating into your pay-as-you-go minutes), you have to use multiple internet-based services just for routine calls and text messaging, if you're not at work or home you have to log onto various wi-fi networks you can find at coffee shops or airports just to stay connected, and you saved $500 over 2 years??

Unless I'm missing something like Michael ... other than being able to bail on a service provider, a non-subsidized phone doesn't really do anything for me. Which is kind of punctuated by the second quote: I need a full service device, that works with all features/functions, all the time, on cellular (in additional to WiFi).

In the US, I don't really see many options (especially if you want GSM with simultaneous voice and data). I want a simple, flat rate plan for my family with plenty of voice, text and data and the least expensive OOP device cost.

 

[billyripkin]

I am confused. I paid full price for my iPhone 4S through the Apple retail store online. How do I tell if it is unlocked? When I first set it up it didn't mention anything. Do I need to restore it to get that message through iTunes?

 

[BFW122083]

I am confused. I paid full price for my iPhone 4S through the Apple retail store online. How do I tell if it is unlocked? When I first set it up it didn't mention anything. Do I need to restore it to get that message through iTunes?

Yes restore it through iTunes. Once iTunes does its thing you will get the message when the phone restarts. I stumbled into it after I decided I wanted to start fresh instead of use backups from all the iOS 5 betas.

 

[tivoboy]

day 1

people were buying off contract phones at the stanford palo alto stores on day one. They said at the time, it would be unlocked and indeed they were. The foreigner in front of me bought one, he didn't have a SS, contract, nothing, just bought the phone, they plugged it into his computer and his japanese sim card worked fine.

 

[Studio96]

CAn't speak for other countries but here in the UK the Carphone Warehouse told me they are all 'unlocked' until you put the first SIM in it, then it locks to that network. I had to take my 'three' phone back as there was no network at home. Instead of being able to just give me a new O2 SIM, they had to take the phone back to get it redone and repackaged, ordering me a new phone as they had none in stock.

When the new one arrives it will also be 'unlocked' - until I put the O2 SIM in it.

 

[cvaldes]

So you can't access data everywhere like with 3G, you have to be on wi-fi to make or receive calls (without eating into your pay-as-you-go minutes), you have to use multiple internet-based services just for routine calls and text messaging, if you're not at work or home you have to log onto various wi-fi networks you can find at coffee shops or airports just to stay connected, and you saved $500 over 2 years??

Sounds like for about 19 bucks a month more, you could use your smartphone as a smartphone

Wrong. You should educate yourself before making judgments.

The $15-18 I expect to pay would mostly go to cellular data, not voice calls. If I find myself in a place that doesn't have free WiFi, I can always just turn on cellular data and it'll be there. I'll just pay for what I need and use.

With AT&T GoPhone, you add money to your account from which you can purchase feature packages like text or data (which last 30 days). Cellular data comes in three packages, 10MB for $5, 100MB for $15, or 500MB for $25. If you buy a new data package before the 30 days are up, your unused data rolls over.

Hence, for two months you buy a 500MB plan ($25) and a 10MB plan ($5) for a total of 510MB, 255MB per month at $15. The cheapest data plan with a post-paid AT&T subscription is 200MB at $15, so you can actually get more data via GoPhone at that usage level.

I have closely examined my voice and cellular data usage (I have an iPad 2 with 3G) for quite a while, and I am confident that at the end of two years, I will have saved $500 over the cheapest subscription plan. I'll actually be getting more data and not paying for excess voice service I'm not using.

The GoPhone way has some flexibility built in since there will be months where one doesn't use much data and maybe make more calls, whereas other months (while traveling) might be more data-intensive but again, it's worth emphasizing that you get what you pay for, you don't pay for what you don't need.

 

[ChrisA]

those retail prices sure are expensive.. just get an iPad. If you need a new phone, wait for your contract, and get a new one, or pay Apple the $199 for the OOW fee. but $649-$849 is absurd.

When you buy a phone on contract, I think you pay MORE than $649-$849. The loan payments are hidden in the cost of the air time.

 

[illutionz]

It's really:
199,299,or399
Tax on the full cost of the phone (tax on 649/749/849), say 8.5% in CA
ETF of $315 ($325 - 1 month's deduction of $10)
The cost of phone service for 1 month (say ~$75)
--------------------------------------------------------
Total: $644/$753/$861

In the end, not worth it at all...

It would be fine if you never travel or willing to shell out arms and legs during your trip overseas.

The problem with contract phone is the fact that they are locked and to unlock, you need to play the cat and mouse game with Apple and not update your baseband every time you upgrade the firmware.

It is clear that the jailbreak community is having a hard time to keep up with Apple baseband update. They are certainly very good in jail breaking the firmware but unlocking seem to be an issue if you're using the latest baseband (or accidentally updated to the latest baseband)

 

[pbateman]

Is this only in the Apple store? what if I buy it off contract at ATT store? Im sure they are less crowded and closer....

 

[MacSince1990]

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 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.

----------

I'd like to know how the heck I could pay only $20/month. We pay about $120/month for a family plan.. and we're not even using smartphones! Verizon, btw. Halp

 

[scoobydoo99]

Wrong. You should educate yourself before making judgments.

The $15-18 I expect to pay would mostly go to cellular data, not voice calls. If I find myself in a place that doesn't have free WiFi, I can always just turn on cellular data and it'll be there. I'll just pay for what I need and use.

With AT&T GoPhone, you add money to your account from which you can purchase feature packages like text or data (which last 30 days). Cellular data comes in three packages, 10MB for $5, 100MB for $15, or 500MB for $25. If you buy a new data package before the 30 days are up, your unused data rolls over.

Hence, for two months you buy a 500MB plan ($25) and a 10MB plan ($5) for a total of 510MB, 255MB per month at $15. The cheapest data plan with a post-paid AT&T subscription is 200MB at $15, so you can actually get more data via GoPhone at that usage level.

I have closely examined my voice and cellular data usage (I have an iPad 2 with 3G) for quite a while, and I am confident that at the end of two years, I will have saved $500 over the cheapest subscription plan. I'll actually be getting more data and not paying for excess voice service I'm not using.

The only judgement I made was that for an extra 19 bucks a month you could use your smartphone everywhere, all the time, instead of crippling it - and that judgement is correct.

You should educate yourself about data. I have unlimited data with my iPhone plan, so your method wouldn't help. Also, you are adding the hassle of having to remember to re-purchase a new data plan every 30 days before the last one runs out. I don't have time for stuff like that even if it did save 19 bucks overall per month (which for me it wouldn't).

Second, you say you "can always just turn on cellular data..." Well, that's nice. And HOW do you know when you need to turn it on to get that important text or push notification? Without always-on data you lose the main reason for having a smartphone - the constant connection that allows location services, push notifications, etc.

I suppose Siri could always tell you when you get home; "You missed 14 texts, 11 Facebook updates, 9 emails, and 7 Gmail IMs while you were away. Nice going."

That wouldn't work for me.

 

[TMay]

I think this locking/unlocking chaos calls the sustainability of Apple's manufacturing logistics into question. I live by my Mac and iPhone, but I believe the future is in increasingly affordable hardware. How long can they continue to exploit the Chinese economical predicament before China wavers and Apple's business model falters?

At some point in the not so far-off future, we'll be able to print our own phones up at home, and (pirateable) design and software will be king. At that point I see real competition taking place, and Apple - as beautiful a company as it is - will no longer be able to maintain its current near-monopoly on those of us who are more enlightened users.

I think you have it backwards. Apple isn't exploiting Chinese labor, and prices are in line with a cutting edge device, that literally replaces dozens of consumer devices, the aggregate of which would cost several thousands of dollars and be even less sustainable.

Chinese, youth in particular from rural areas move to the urban areas and take low paying jobs doing assembly because it is much better life than what they had. Believe it or not, these people are moving up in the world, and if you follow such things, China has a rate of growth that can't be sustained, and inflation to go along with it.

China has to create internal markets for its own products if it is to grow and it is attempting to do that even creating a middle class. China can't depend on the West to continue to buy products at ever increasing prices, if even less costly labor is available in other countries of Southeast Asia, and now Brazil.

It isn't Apple that has a monopoly, Apple's share of the market is too small and there isn't any case of abusing its position with respect too competition.

The problem is the telecoms in the U.S.

With the mergers that have taken place since the breakup in the Baby Bells and the rapid consolidation of cell providers with the remnants of the Baby Bells, we have AT&T and Verizon fighting over the lion's share of mobile, and two others, T-Mobile and Sprint trying to figure out how to survive without a merger with the other two (I don't think the AT$T merger with T-Mobile is gong through).

There is no competition for all practical purposes in the U.S market. As long as users continue to demand more and faster data, that isn't going to change.

Don't blame Apple for your appetite for new and better ways to access data. Apple created demand for the iPhone by building it the best way possible for the times, and the Chinese Laborers producing it are gaining a better life.

 

[kmvguy83]

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I can confirm this is true.
I just bought one this morning AT&T no contract and I got the MSG saying its unlocked. LOVE IT!!

 

[Nahmeanz]

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I just went to the Boylston St. store in Boston and they refused to sell my an "off contract" phone until November. They said if I want to buy a phone I will have to extend my contract even if I'm not eligible for an upgrade.

 

[andiwm2003]

Why WOULDNT a device u pay the full price for be unlocked is that another american rip off to pay the full prince and be still locked to a carrier omg

Oh and buying it up front makes sense, at least here. U can get sims from any cheap discounter market for like 15€ incl data and sms flat and no contract instead of paying 40€ on a tmobile plan for example

yes it is another USA rip off.

The whole business model of american cell phone carriers is to make you spend ~$2500 over 2 years. All providers are the same plus/minus 200 dollar. There are some family plans but in the end you pay again $2500 (e.g. for two lines for two years).

The problem is that the american market is not well regulated by any consumer protection agency. That allows carriers to keep your phone locked after the contract expires. If this weren't the case there would be millions of unlocked iPhones out there leading to a competitive market. But this currently is not the case.

In addition there are only 4 shoddy carriers for iPhone users available:

T-Mobile: cheaper contracts but you need an unlocked phone and data is only at EDGE speeds.
ATT: horrible coverage in some areas, expensive contracts, fast data but phone is locked domestically AND internationally
Verizon: expensive contract, phone unlocked internationally but internet speeds limited to G3 (no HSDPA+), no simultaneous voice and data, no domestically unlocked CDMA iPhones possible
Sprint: more or less expensive contract, phone unlocked internationally but internet speeds limited to G3 (no HSDPA+), no simultaneous voice and data, no domestically unlocked CDMA iPhones possible

So any carrier has major disadvantages. If you opt for Sprint or Verizon your phone is locked in. If you opt for ATT you can use an unlocked iPhone but if you don't like ATT there is no other GSM carrier to go to besides T-Mobile with slow data speeds.

Since the iPhone does not support LTE it makes only little sense to pay $649 for an unlocked phone because there are not many options to go to and in a year or two you can't hop on the LTE networks to benefit from faster data.

It just sucks compared to civilized countries. And all the other ideas of buying a subsidized phone and cancel the contract and all that save you between $5 and $100. Given that you spend around $2500 for most people it is not worth the hassle.

 

[shotwithanslr]

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I just went to the Boylston St. store in Boston and they refused to sell my an "off contract" phone until November. They said if I want to buy a phone I will have to extend my contract even if I'm not eligible for an upgrade.

I just bought one at the Providence Place Mall, no issues. Got the unlock message.


Going to get a T-Mobile Micro SIM now, will report back with confirmation.

 

[Nahmeanz]

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I think they're starting memos out because I just went to the AT&T store and they told me the same thing.

 

[TMay]

Wrong. You should educate yourself before making judgments.

The $15-18 I expect to pay would mostly go to cellular data, not voice calls. If I find myself in a place that doesn't have free WiFi, I can always just turn on cellular data and it'll be there. I'll just pay for what I need and use.

With AT&T GoPhone, you add money to your account from which you can purchase feature packages like text or data (which last 30 days). Cellular data comes in three packages, 10MB for $5, 100MB for $15, or 500MB for $25. If you buy a new data package before the 30 days are up, your unused data rolls over.

Hence, for two months you buy a 500MB plan ($25) and a 10MB plan ($5) for a total of 510MB, 255MB per month at $15. The cheapest data plan with a post-paid AT&T subscription is 200MB at $15, so you can actually get more data via GoPhone at that usage level.

I have closely examined my voice and cellular data usage (I have an iPad 2 with 3G) for quite a while, and I am confident that at the end of two years, I will have saved $500 over the cheapest subscription plan. I'll actually be getting more data and not paying for excess voice service I'm not using.

The GoPhone way has some flexibility built in since there will be months where one doesn't use much data and maybe make more calls, whereas other months (while traveling) might be more data-intensive but again, it's worth emphasizing that you get what you pay for, you don't pay for what you don't need.

Thanks for the how to.

Up until this time, I've avoided smart phones as I don't really have much need for all of the functionality.

I have a first generation iPod Touch, and I want to replace that; $399 for the 64 GB model that has less functionality than the iPhone 4S. For another $500, I can buy an unlocked iPhone 64GB GSM, and now I have an iPod Touch replacement at a $500 premium with the benefit of an unlocked iPhone 4S.

I could sit on this for nine months with no additional costs and I would breakeven, but more than likely, I'll add as you did some GoPhone voice and data time; I still don't have much need for messaging.

Either way, the result is sufficient for my needs.

Which brings to mind. Why doesn't some third party buy unlocked phones in bulk and lease them? Seems like the demand would be substantial and requiring the same upfront costs as the carriers, and with the benefit of the return value at the end of the contract, the lease could be at a very competitive rate.

 

[Ugg]

I'd like to know how the heck I could pay only $20/month. We pay about $120/month for a family plan.. and we're not even using smartphones! Verizon, btw. Halp

Virgin Mobile offers a $35 a month plan with 300 minutes and unlimited text and internet. They don't offer family plans though.

 

[techguy20]

Just picked one up this morning off-contract and got the unlocked message as well.

Will be getting a T-Mobile Microsim in a little while to test it out.

 

[andiwm2003]

Virgin Mobile offers a $35 a month plan with 300 minutes and unlimited text and internet. They don't offer family plans though.

Virgin Mobile is CDMA right? How do you get an iPhone to work on their network?

 

[bushido]

How is it even legal to sell a phone for the full price locked here in germany it always has been unlocked if u buy it from apple or 02 and Vodafone r unlocked even on contract

 

[Akack]

How is it even legal to sell a phone for the full price locked here in germany it always has been unlocked if u buy it from apple or 02 and Vodafone r unlocked even on contract

Greed of US corporations.

 

[jjHungry]

How is it even legal to sell a phone for the full price locked here in germany it always has been unlocked if u buy it from apple or 02 and Vodafone r unlocked even on contract

The US carriers have too much power.

 

[shotwithanslr]

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Typing on 4S connected to T-mobile. T-Mobile cut my Sim card rather than give me a micro.