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I was too excited to try that I didn't even look at the SIM cards in them. There was actually AT&T SIM cards in them, so it seems like I haven't solved the t-mobile mystery. However, I can confirm that you can buy fully unlocked phones in the stores. They did not ask for my phone number or anything.

Sorry for the confusion and good luck everyone.
 
I'm in line now. I'll post my results soon.
 

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AT&T Device only is unlocked

I can confirm that AT&T "Device-Only" (full priced) is unlocked as well. Just got mine, and it works with simple mobile sim, t-mobile sim, straight talk, and at&t. Also did an IMEI check which returns that it is unlocked.
 
I can confirm that AT&T "Device-Only" (full priced) is unlocked as well. Just got mine, and it works with simple mobile sim, t-mobile sim, straight talk, and at&t. Also did an IMEI check which returns that it is unlocked.

So we have confirmation that AT&T full price is factory unlocked.

But online they only sell T-Mobile at full price. Anyone confirm that an iPhone with T-Mobile sim pre-installed bought at full price is indeed factory unlocked?
 
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Website says:

If you buy iPhone for T-Mobile, it will arrive with a nano-SIM card already installed that you can activate by visiting an Apple Retail Store or a T-Mobile store or by calling T-Mobile. When you travel internationally, you can use a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5s from a local GSM carrier.

And my Invoice says T-Mobile (Unlocked)
 
So we have confirmation that AT&T full price is factory unlocked.

But online they only sell T-Mobile at full price. Anyone confirm that an iPhone with T-Mobile sim pre-installed bought at full price is indeed factory unlocked?

What was the AT&T full price amount? ($649,$749,$849)?
 
Is it even possible to order the AT&T full price online? or do I have to go into a retail store?
 
I can confirm that AT&T "Device-Only" (full priced) is unlocked as well. Just got mine, and it works with simple mobile sim, t-mobile sim, straight talk, and at&t. Also did an IMEI check which returns that it is unlocked.

So when you bought the phone, you didn't give them any phone number? (I'm assuming the only info you provided them with was your Apple ID?)
 
I can confirm that AT&T "Device-Only" (full priced) is unlocked as well. Just got mine, and it works with simple mobile sim, t-mobile sim, straight talk, and at&t. Also did an IMEI check which returns that it is unlocked.

Wow. Nice. Thank you for the update.
 
The reason they removed the "Unlocked" from the T-Mobile version is probably so they can keep people who just want an unlocked phone from buying it since supplies are limited. Knowing there would be a shortage, T-Mobile may have asked Apple to do it so T-Mobile customers would have better access knowing full well it is unlocked.
 
The reason they removed the "Unlocked" from the T-Mobile version is probably so they can keep people who just want an unlocked phone from buying it since supplies are limited. Knowing there would be a shortage, T-Mobile may have asked Apple to do it so T-Mobile customers would have better access knowing full well it is unlocked.

This makes sense. I mean, if it works with GSM internationally as stated on Apple's page, it is unlocked right? It seems they just don't want to label it as such at the moment.
 
So what you are saying is that one does not need to go into an Apple store to get this T-Mobile "unlocked" iPhone 5s to be activated by someone in the Apple store? So once you get it you just take the T-Mobile sim card out and replace it with an AT&T sim card and it just works (obviously need to go through those iCloud steps)? Just want to confirm because once I receive my "unlock" T-Mobile iPhone 5s from UPS I am opening it up. Else I will leave it unopened and need to go to an Apple store.

I can also confirm that the T-Mobile Unlocked 5S is factory unlocked. Just activated it with an AT&T sim card.
 
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