Surprise: CDMA iPhone 4S Comes With An Unlocked SIM Slot

[iMrNiceGuy0023]

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/10/surprise-cdma-iphone-4s-comes-with-an-unlocked-sim-slot


The days when CDMA iPhone users were at a disadvantage when traveling internationally are long behind us. As just discovered by Macworld, the iPhone 4S is even more of a worldphone than we originally thought.

According to them, not only can your Sprint or Verizon CDMA iPhone be used internationally on GSM networks, but the SIM slot that it comes with is actually unlocked, meaning you can pop in any SIM you want. That’s right, when you’re traveling to other GSM countries, you’ll be able to buy a local micro-SIM card (or a normal one and cut it), and pop it into your iPhone 4S.

While Sprint will be making this a standard, Verizon will still be locking the iPhone 4S SIM slot for new users, and will only grant what they call “international unlock” for folks who’ve been good and around for at least 60 days.

The big unknown, of course, is whether you could actually pop an AT&T micro-SIM into such a device. We’ve tried to find out, but haven’t been able to figure that out yet. If it’s the case, that would be a very interesting feature. After all, since you’re paying for the contract, why should the carrier prevent you from doing what you want with the phone, right? But that’s a whole other debate.

 

[jgalan14]

That's so cool to know so when I go on vacation next year I can actually use my iphone 4s, this year i had to use the 3GS

 

[Tilpots]

So what happens if you swap out the "roaming" SIM with another from an international carrier?

 

[brazil5376]

sweet...now I can use it when I go to brazil

 

[alent1234]

So what happens if you swap out the "roaming" SIM with another from an international carrier?

it won't work?

there has to be a reason why sprint is buying so much phones. they plan to make money on them somehow

 

[mrgreen4242]

So what you are saying is that the Sprint/Verizon iPhones are factory unlocked?

Then who would pay for an unlocked phone from Apple?

Cheapest plan on Sprint for an iPhone is $70/month, 2 year contract. So about $1700+200 for the phone, or $200 phone and $450 ETF... Same price as unlocked.

it won't work?

there has to be a reason why sprint is buying so much phones. they plan to make money on them somehow

See above. Even of you put another SIM in there they're still gonna get paideia her your contract rate or the ETF. Also, most world phones are unlocked (either out of the box or on request) for international SIMs but NOT for domestic ones.

Lastly most people who are going to travel just one or twice with a phone aren't going to bother getting a SIM for it from the local country, they'll all up their provider and add an international roaming plan or $20-99 depending on features and duration and just be done with it, so he carriers will make that money for the infrequent travelers.

 

[AlvinNguyen]

it won't work?

there has to be a reason why sprint is buying so much phones. they plan to make money on them somehow

According to MacWorld the sprint CDMA is unlocked for GSM. Hope this is true!!!

 

[jgalan14]

Cheapest plan on Sprint for an iPhone is $70/month, 2 year contract. So about $1700+200 for the phone, or $200 phone and $450 ETF... Same price as unlocked.



See above. Even of you put another SIM in there they're still gonna get paideia her your contract rate or the ETF. Also, most world phones are unlocked (either out of the box or on request) for international SIMs but NOT for domestic ones.

Lastly most people who are going to travel just one or twice with a phone aren't going to bother getting a SIM for it from the local country, they'll all up their provider and add an international roaming plan or $20-99 depending on features and duration and just be done with it, so he carriers will make that money for the infrequent travelers.

I'm pretty sure sprint ETF is 350$ no 450$

 

[Shanpdx]

Hello Sprint, Bye bye ATT

I still got almost a year contract to go on ATT for two lines. Have to wait until then jump to sprint.

Wish sprint offers some competitive discount where i can switch to ATT.

my main reason is for the unlocked international GSM usage.

scratching to head find some way to jump now

 

[Blorzoga]

That's so cool to know so when I go on vacation next year I can actually use my iphone 4s, this year i had to use the 3GS

Wow, supercool!

 

[0970373]

If this is true...I have a serious reason to switch carriers. I have no problem w/ having a contract...i just need to be able to travel overseas w/ it. If I can save on an unlocked iPhone...that is winning. Time will tell...

 

[wratran]

From all the reading...
It could be gsm lock to ATT and tmobile...but not international

 

[AbyssImpact]

So this means if i have a prepaid sim card from rogers, it will work on verizon/sprint iphone 4s? If so, i am going to buy one on ebay and not wait for the unlocked version coming in november. Please confirm, i seriously do not want to wait until november to get the new iphone.

 

[Shanpdx]

So this means if i have a prepaid sim card from rogers, it will work on verizon/sprint iphone 4s? If so, i am going to buy one on ebay and not wait for the unlocked version coming in november. Please confirm, i seriously do not want to wait until november to get the new iphone.

That what it looks like it, unless someone tries it and confirms it, it is just a news.

Wait till some one reports it.

There is going to be a pressure to ATT to unlock the iPhones, let us see!

 

[jgalan14]

That what it looks like it, unless someone tries it and confirms it, it is just a news.

Wait till some one reports it.

There is going to be a pressure to ATT to unlock the iPhones, let us see!

I will check when i get my Sprint version one, I won't activated I just going to put tmobile sim LOL

 

[Applejuiced]

I highly doubt it will be unlocked to any GSM sim.
It will not accept or recognize foreign sims besides the Sprint or Verizon sim that it comes with.
We will see though.

 

[likegadgets]

If a Verizon phone comes with 100% unlocked GSM, that is reason alone for me to switch to Verizon from AT&T.

 

[apollo1444]

So what you are saying is that the Sprint/Verizon iPhones are factory unlocked?

Then who would pay for an unlocked phone from Apple?

those phones aren't factory unlocked... they are just "internationally unlocked" for American only users...I'm pretty sure the phone will not work with T-mo usa or att, this is my own theory tho'

 

[bidwalj]

i hope this is true. I travel to canada frequently to visit family and use a rodgers sim there in my unlocked iPhone 4. I'll be getting the sprint 4s and can test to see if the rodgers sim works in it. I'll post back my results once i get the phone.

 

[wratran]

I will check when i get my Sprint version one, I won't activated I just going to put tmobile sim LOL

Awsome!
Thanks ahead
If this work...this will be cheaper than buying apple unlock phone....200 + 350 ETF = 550 for 16 gb on sprint vs 650 from apple

 

[Shanpdx]

I will check when i get my Sprint version one, I won't activated I just going to put tmobile sim LOL

thank you...

 

[jgalan14]

Awsome!
Thanks ahead
If this work...this will be cheaper than buying apple unlock phone....200 + 350 ETF = 550 for 16 gb on sprint vs 650 from apple

Yeah I let you know hopefully get it on Friday I got a mini sim for my tmobile line (company phone ) and I'll try it out before activating in my line

 

[brazil5376]

I highly doubt it will be unlocked to any GSM sim.
It will not accept or recognize foreign sims besides the Sprint or Verizon sim that it comes with.
We will see though.

My old blackberry with Sprint was unlocked and I used a prepaid sim in Brazil

 

[Shanpdx]

Awsome!
Thanks ahead
If this work...this will be cheaper than buying apple unlock phone....200 + 350 ETF = 550 for 16 gb on sprint vs 650 from apple

remember though
1) Activation fee ($36) ?
2) mostly first month service charge ($50) charge?
3) Credit Check?

it is beneficial to the users who use GSM outside of USA, but ok with Sprint/Verizon Locked when they are here in the USA.

not really for the users who are trying to get a unlocked iPhone ($650 may be headache free).

Do I make sense?

 

[Applejuiced]

My old blackberry with Sprint was unlocked and I used a prepaid sim in Brazil

There's a big difference.
Any cellphone can be unlocked in the past 4+ years but the iphone here. So I wouldnt be surprised if our US money hungry carriers wouldnt lock it to their own GSM sims only.