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nope, subsidised iphones are also unlocked, if you buy from the apple store. I checked with apple :)
again, I don't know about direct from say, a vodafone store.

The o2 iPhone unlock page states that they will not be doing iPhone 4 unlocks for a while after launch which would suggest carrier handsets are locked.
 
All depends on how large the city the store is located in, Judging from interest iv'e taken from customers the launch is going to be busier than the iPhone3Gs

I think you're very right on this part. Here in Denmark the interest has been immense too, even compared to earlier launches. This is actually similar to the iPhone 3G launch and then some, as more people are aware of the iPhone now.
 
The o2 iPhone unlock page states that they will not be doing iPhone 4 unlocks for a while after launch which would suggest carrier handsets are locked.

right, from o2, they may well be locked. If you get it from the apple store, it will be unlocked regardless of contract, payg or sim free.
I will be double checking on the day, but that's what apple told me.
 
So everything needs to be out to know the answer?

They are locked as already been stated, the moment a contract or a payg plan is attached, I can't find the specific apple article to quote to you, but trust me, the networks are going to be locking down the phones.

Maybe for contracts but putting a PAYG sim in will not lock it in any way otherwise Apple wouldn't advertise as sim free!

"Do I need to commit to a long-term contract for my iPhone?
Buying a SIM-free iPhone from the Apple Online Store allows you choose your own carrier and change carriers at any time. iPhone may also be available at a reduced initial price with a contract directly from your wireless carrier."
 
Maybe for contracts but putting a PAYG sim in will not lock it in any way otherwise Apple wouldn't advertise as sim free!

"Do I need to commit to a long-term contract for my iPhone?
Buying a SIM-free iPhone from the Apple Online Store allows you choose your own carrier and change carriers at any time. iPhone may also be available at a reduced initial price with a contract directly from your wireless carrier."


If you read the original post the guy is talking specifically about contracts from networks. Not buying sim free.
 
If you read the original post the guy is talking specifically about contracts from networks. Not buying sim free.

EXACTLY - that's my point, if you buy with contract, then it won't be SIM FREE even if you got the contract at a Apple Store.

That is what I was trying to say - thank you Project :)
 
You can sign up to a contract with a network in the apple store. It will still be unlocked. Sim free just means, they wont supply a sim with it.

You are WRONG - but we will agree to disagree.

No iPhones are going to be unlocked if you apply a contract, and have NOT paid the full price of £499 and £599. But if you insist, good luck to you.
 
Hi everyone

Have been following the iPhone 4 saga on the VF forum and just found this one. Apologies if this question has been thrashed to bits but 300+ pages is a bit long to burrow through.

What is the general concensus of availability of white phones on 24th. My understanding is that it's a 'no no'. I didn't know if perhaps Apple were just having black on pre-rders for ease of logistics, or whether there was a problem in production which was causing the backlog. I understand that they are only producing half the expected 4 million a month due to screen shortages, but dont know is that's just rumour or fact

Alex
 
Hi everyone

Have been following the iPhone 4 saga on the VF forum and just found this one. Apologies if this question has been thrashed to bits but 300+ pages is a bit long to burrow through.

What is the general concensus of availability of white phones on 24th. My understanding is that it's a 'no no'. I didn't know if perhaps Apple were just having black on pre-rders for ease of logistics, or whether there was a problem in production which was causing the backlog. I understand that they are only producing half the expected 4 million a month due to screen shortages, but dont know is that's just rumour or fact

Alex


The consensus is correct, unlikely to be any white iPhones. However, no one knows for sure until launch day - Apple may have a surprise and have some only for walk-ins, and no pre-orders.
 
You are WRONG - but we will agree to disagree.

No iPhones are going to be unlocked if you apply a contract, and have NOT paid the full price of £499 and £599. But if you insist, good luck to you.

Ok :)

where are you getting your info? I phoned apple, who stated very definitely that all will be unlocked.
(not arguing, just stating source of info)
 
Ok :)

where are you getting your info? I phoned apple, who stated very definitely that all will be unlocked.
(not arguing, just stating source of info)

Ok, for the final time, and i'm not being nasty - this has been on the Apple site, can't find the article, it's on Engadget and Gizmodo, and if you look yourself - because I can't be bothered, even the O2 website.

/peace
 
Ok :)

where are you getting your info? I phoned apple, who stated very definitely that all will be unlocked.
(not arguing, just stating source of info)

The way I understand it is that if you have pre-ordered online to be delivered, they will be sim-free and unlocked. If you go to a physical apple store you can either get unlocked (never becomes locked to the carrier), payg (becomes locked to the carrier upon activation) or contract (again, becomes locked to the carrier upon activation).
 
The way I understand it is that if you have pre-ordered online to be delivered, they will be sim-free and unlocked. If you go to a physical apple store you can either get unlocked (never becomes locked to the carrier), payg (becomes locked to the carrier upon activation) or contract (again, becomes locked to the carrier upon activation).


...thanks! I wish I could have said it better myself - so eloquently put.
 
That's right.

All iPhones Apple will have in store will be unlocked to begin with - maybe that's what they mean. It's when the contract is attached to the SIM card that the phone becomes locked.

Otherwise Apple would need to order in specific numbers of network locked units beforehand, which is just inefficient as they have no idea what demand will be like on the day. Much easier to have 2 stock models (16gb/32gb), unlocked, whose price and lock status is determined at the point of sale.

There is a chance that all phones sold will be unlocked, of course. I just think it's incredibly unlikely. The networks are subsidising the cost of the phone by as much as £250-599 depending on contract. Generally they want it locked down.
 
That's right.

All iPhones Apple will have in store will be unlocked to begin with - maybe that's what they mean. It's when the contract is attached to the SIM card that the phone becomes locked.

Otherwise Apple would need to order in specific numbers of network locked units beforehand, which is just inefficient as they have no idea what demand will be like on the day. Much easier to have 2 stock models (16gb/32gb), unlocked, whose price and lock status is determined at the point of sale.

There is a chance that all phones sold will be unlocked, of course. I just think it's incredibly unlikely. The networks are subsidising the cost of the phone by as much as £250-599 depending on contract. Generally they want it locked down.

Absolutely, 100% agree.
 
There is a chance that all phones sold will be unlocked, of course. I just think it's incredibly unlikely. The networks are subsidising the cost of the phone by as much as £250-599 depending on contract. Generally they want it locked down.

The way I see it, once you are signed up for the contract, they are going to get your money. In theory they shouldn't really care if you can stick another sim in it, they're still getting your money.
We shall find out on the 24th!
 
Just an update to regarding the shipping on the iPhones, in the early hours of this morning, I listed that a plane from Hong Kong to Liege was supposed to leave at 4AM, as of yet it has been delayed and it is not yet ready to leave. No idea why there is a possible delay but no reason to worry just yet, especially since none of our iPhones have been 'Prepared For Shipment' yet, But I fully expect to do so today.
 
So what do you think happens if I buy it sim free and stick in my new micro sim (switched over from my existing contract)?

When I activate it, it shouldn't then lock to o2 should it?
 
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