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If you buy the iPhone outright from Apple, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon on launch day, the iPhone will come GSM unlocked.
 
I'd also have to pay for the first month's service, right?

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At this point I think on launch day I might just end up waiting in line. I will get a card for both a Verizon one and a TMobile one (which at this point it seems all TMobile ones are unlocked for sure) as a backup. I will ask to get the Verizon one device only, no contract or anything. If they will let me, I will test my AT&T SIM (because if that works then I know TMobile SIM will work when I switch).

If they don't let me get the Verizon one device only or if my AT&T SIM doesn't work, I will just go with the TMobile one. That seems to cover just about every possible outcome.


You would pay the prorated month. If u cancel the next day after activation and keep the phone, you'd pay for 1 day not the whole month.

Just suggesting what you could do. You want a launch day iPhone 6. There's no guarantee apple will sell unlocked models on day 1. But if u get a Verizon 6 it's already unlocked from day 1. He'll you can have it activated on Verizon and pop the gsm sim in and it'll work.
 
Do you guys know if every iPhone for T-Mobile is unlocked?

No one knows for sure but if like the past it will be unlocked.

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If you buy the iPhone outright from Apple, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon on launch day, the iPhone will come GSM unlocked.

I am not so sure about that. In the past when I have bought, at full price, a iPhone from AT&T it WAS LOCKED. It was months before they sold unlocked phones.

Best to go to the Apple store but even they have not had unlocked phones on the day of introduction. Likely a deal they make with the carriers.:(
 
No one knows for sure but if like the past it will be unlocked.

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I am not so sure about that. In the past when I have bought, at full price, a iPhone from AT&T it WAS LOCKED. It was months before they sold unlocked phones.

Best to go to the Apple store but even they have not had unlocked phones on the day of introduction. Likely a deal they make with the carriers.:(

Last year I bought 2 tmobile 5s from Apple.com, one 5s from the local att store. Full price and all were unlocked. This was on launch day.
 
The problem is I won't be able to online.


I'd rather pre-order when that is available than wait in line for hours at my local Apple store.


Do you know how much later?

I maybe wrong, the poster above me said he bought an unlocked version off the bat on release day. I maybe thinking iphone 5 release, not 5S.
 
I maybe wrong, the poster above me said he bought an unlocked version off the bat on release day. I maybe thinking iphone 5 release, not 5S.

Yes. IPhone 5s could be bought online from Apple or in store unlocked at full price.
 
Thanks for all the info. Sounds like for sure TMobile will be unlocked, especially with their whole "uncarrier" push. Verizon sounds like it might be unlocked, but that could change and there's a lot of trouble to get one device only for Verizon. So I am thinking TMobile will be the safe bet and the most simplest.
 
I bought the unlocked 5S from Apple on release day last year. It's advertised as the "T-Mobile Model" because Apple allows the carriers to get their sales for a few months before they begin selling one that is specifically advertised as unlocked. Also the Verizon iPhone is unlocked no matter where you get it from. The Apple Store might give you a hard time if you try to buy that one without a contract though so I'd just go for the T-Mobile model.
 
Thanks for all the info. Sounds like for sure TMobile will be unlocked, especially with their whole "uncarrier" push. Verizon sounds like it might be unlocked, but that could change and there's a lot of trouble to get one device only for Verizon. So I am thinking TMobile will be the safe bet and the most simplest.

Verizon version is the best. Its unlocked no matter how you buy it.
 
Verizon version is the best. Its unlocked no matter how you buy it.

That's what I've been trying to tell people lol

The problem is I can't buy it online without having to go through the hassle of setting up a new account and then creating it and dealing with ETFs. If I wait in line I will try and buy it device only, but I am sure they will give me trouble and there is no guarantee they would even allow that for Verizon. TMobile seems to be the best bet and the most hassle free.
 
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