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Understanding the iPhone 5C/5S All-In-One AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon Model

"Device Only" purchase and keep AT&T unlimited?

Great thread!

I want to purchase a 5S "device only" because I do not want to sign a new 2-year contract and I want the flexibility of unlocked GSM and using with alternate carriers.

I am currently an AT&T customer with a grandfathered unlimited data plan. Does anyone know if I can purchase a "device only" AT&T iPhone 5S and keep my current unlimited data plan without signing a new 2-year contract?

I'm think this might be possible if the device only phone includes the AT&T nano SIM, is this the case?

The ideal situation would probably be to go with the "Device Only" Verizon 5S but then I would need to get an AT&T nano SIM and I do not know if that would be possible without AT&T forcing me onto a different plan or new contract.

Ultimately, I may switch to T-Mobile but I have some reservations due to the lack of 3G coverage outside of 4G/LTE areas and the apparently weaker LTE reception indoors on T-Mobile.
 
You can purchase a full price (device only) upgrade from AT&T. It will be unlocked, not affect your contract and include the Sim card.

Remember that you are paying for a contract that includes an almost $20/month phone subsidy. It may make more sense to buy the subsidized phone and pay the ETF and unlock fee if and when you decide to move to a new carrier. The ETF is at most $325 and the subsidized phone is $450 less than the full price phone.
 
Givmeabrek said:
You can purchase a full price (device only) upgrade from AT&T. It will be unlocked, not affect your contract and include the Sim card.

Remember that you are paying for a contract that includes an almost $20/month phone subsidy. It may make more sense to buy the subsidized phone and pay the ETF and unlock fee if and when you decide to move to a new carrier. The ETF is at most $325 and the subsidized phone is $450 less than the full price phone.
Click to expand...

Are you telling him to buy from AT&T retail or website? It will not be unlocked. It will be locked to AT&T's network. He would have to contact customer service and ask them to unlock it.

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BeerdedOne said:
Great thread!

I want to purchase a 5S "device only" because I do not want to sign a new 2-year contract and I want the flexibility of unlocked GSM and using with alternate carriers.

I am currently an AT&T customer with a grandfathered unlimited data plan. Does anyone know if I can purchase a "device only" AT&T iPhone 5S and keep my current unlimited data plan without signing a new 2-year contract?

I'm think this might be possible if the device only phone includes the AT&T nano SIM, is this the case?

The ideal situation would probably be to go with the "Device Only" Verizon 5S but then I would need to get an AT&T nano SIM and I do not know if that would be possible without AT&T forcing me onto a different plan or new contract.

Ultimately, I may switch to T-Mobile but I have some reservations due to the lack of 3G coverage outside of 4G/LTE areas and the apparently weaker LTE reception indoors on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Buy a device only 5s and swap the SIM from your old phone to the 5s. If it's a larger SIM, cut it down to size. If you don't want to cut it. Take your SIM to AT&T and tell them you want your account transferred from your old SIM onto a nano SIM. There is no reason for them to touch or change your unlimited data plan.

Don't buy a subsidized iPhone locked to AT&T since you may switch carriers. Purchase device only from the Apple retail store so it is unlocked.
 
Iphone 5c on Sprint

Hi Guys. I've a question. I live in Ireland. I want to buy an iphone 5c through Ebay from USa as they're cheaper there.

My question: If I buy and Iphone 5c on Sprint, will I be able to use it here in IReland if I unlock it?

Thanks in advance:):)
 
mak1403 said:
Hi Guys. I've a question. I live in Ireland. I want to buy an iphone 5c through Ebay from USa as they're cheaper there.

My question: If I buy and Iphone 5c on Sprint, will I be able to use it here in IReland if I unlock it?

Thanks in advance:):)
Click to expand...

Would stay away from any Sprint model since that particular model is extremely difficult to unlock. Best bet is to buy a Verizon 5S/5C off Ebay since the GSM portion is unlocked if bought on or off contract.
 
Akack said:
Would stay away from any Sprint model since that particular model is extremely difficult to unlock. Best bet is to buy a Verizon 5S/5C off Ebay since the GSM portion is unlocked if bought on or off contract.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing that up.
Are all Sprint models difficult to unlock or just the new 5c/s. I can understand why sprint models are cheaper on ebay.
 
mak1403 said:
Thanks for clearing that up.
Are all Sprint models difficult to unlock or just the new 5c/s. I can understand why sprint models are cheaper on ebay.
Click to expand...

Yes all Sprint models are a challenge to unlock, thus Sprint models have lower resale value for comparable models.
 
Thank you so much for the excellent information!!!

I've read the full 11 page thread and don't think I've seen this question:

I can buy Vze 5s at apple store full price for 650 or on contract for 199 plus etf.

Vze charges a $35 activation fee

Can I buy full price at apple and never activate on Vze saving the $35? If so can I or future owner later activate on Vze 1,2,3,5,10 years in the future, or do I need to activate now in order to have a "clean" Vze CDMA # in the future?

Also, And this may have been discussed already, Is the early termination fee less than $450? If so aren't we better getting it on plan and then canceling shortly thereafter, (I guess we need to factor in the activation fee etc. etc. prorated charge for month etc).

Bottom line, what's necessary to ensure future activation ability and what's the best math? Two separate questions

Thanks again!
 
question about unlocked verizon iphone 5s

Hi, I understand the verizon iphone 5s is unlocked, but I got the following question?

is it true that If I bought the iphone 5s directly from Verizon as part of an upgrade or having new contract, the iphone 5s comes actually factory unlocked just out of the box without the need to actually log in to my Verizon network account with my Verizon sim card. I mean I just unsealed the box and immediately take out the Verizon sim card (not log in to Verizon network account with sim card), and place the another carrier sim card either att or another gsm carrier from other country, and It will work just fine? can you confirm that is true?

because I heard that If you buy it the iphone 5s from apple online or store directly, you will have to unseal the box and actually log in to the Verizon network to unlock it automatically (because It is locked first). then take out the Verizon sim card. then, put the another sim carrier you are going to use.. is that correct?

could anyone confirm any of the two statements mentioned above. I will like to take overseas the iphone 5s Verizon shrink wrapped sealed in the box as a gift to my girlfriend. I bought it as part of my upgrade of another line directly from verizon. I do not want to unseal the box. but if you guys recommend I need to unseal the box and put my Verizon sim card to log in the network and unlock it automatically, let me know so I do so.
 
a0788983 said:
Hi, I understand the verizon iphone 5s is unlocked, but I got the following question?

is it true that If I bought the iphone 5s directly from Verizon as part of an upgrade or having new contract, the iphone 5s comes actually factory unlocked just out of the box without the need to actually log in to my Verizon network account with my Verizon sim card. I mean I just unsealed the box and immediately take out the Verizon sim card (not log in to Verizon network account with sim card), and place the another carrier sim card either att or another gsm carrier from other country, and It will work just fine? can you confirm that is true?

because I heard that If you buy it the iphone 5s from apple online or store directly, you will have to unseal the box and actually log in to the Verizon network to unlock it automatically (because It is locked first). then take out the Verizon sim card. then, put the another sim carrier you are going to use.. is that correct?

could anyone confirm any of the two statements mentioned above. I will like to take overseas the iphone 5s Verizon shrink wrapped sealed in the box as a gift to my girlfriend. I bought it as part of my upgrade of another line directly from verizon. I do not want to unseal the box. but if you guys recommend I need to unseal the box and put my Verizon sim card to log in the network and unlock it automatically, let me know so I do so.
Click to expand...
All Verizon iPhone 5s are SIM unlocked. Either purchase on or off contract full priced.

If you buy the Verizon iPhone on contract as an upgrade you will have to enter your information to activate the iPhone. Your old SIM will deactivate and your number will ported over to the new SIM.

If you buy the Verizon iPhone full priced "device only" from the Apple store you will not have to active the iPhone. You can open the box, swap out the SIM and use it with T-Mobile or any GSM provider SIM.

Since you bought the phone as a new line I would recommend you open the box. You may have to enter your information to activate the phone. Then you can pull out the SIM and give the phone as a gift. If they ask why it was opened tell them you had to verify it was unlocked.
 
Can I purchase a Verizon 5s without a contract? Can I pair it with Walmart's $30 per month t-mobile plan? It's for my mother in law who doesn't use many minutes/data.
 
Verizon "Device Only" purchase

In my continuing saga to purchase an iPhone 5S "Device Only" or T-Mobile unlocked, I've been told by an online Apple (chat) rep that the only "Device Only" phones for sale are the T-mobile variants.

Can I really purchase a Verizon iPhone 5S "device only" or do I need to call it something different (full price purchase) to get them to sell me one?
 
Iphone4sinwhite said:
Can I purchase a Verizon 5s without a contract? Can I pair it with Walmart's $30 per month t-mobile plan? It's for my mother in law who doesn't use many minutes/data.
Click to expand...

You can buy a Verizon 5s contract free from the Apple Retail Store. Ask for it "device only." From my understanding, it's very hard to buy one directly from Verizon without a contract. They will deny selling it without a contract.

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BeerdedOne said:
In my continuing saga to purchase an iPhone 5S "Device Only" or T-Mobile unlocked, I've been told by an online Apple (chat) rep that the only "Device Only" phones for sale are the T-mobile variants.

Can I really purchase a Verizon iPhone 5S "device only" or do I need to call it something different (full price purchase) to get them to sell me one?
Click to expand...
You can buy Verizon "device only" only at the retail stores. You cannot buy them from Apple online.
 
Iphone4sinwhite said:
Can you share a little more? Why only when the store opens? Is it because the process takes two hours?
Click to expand...
No it doesn't take 2 hours to buy one.

There is usually a line when the store opens for people looking to buy the iPhone 5s unlocked. Show up to the store 2-3 hours before it opens and you should be able to buy one.

The store has limited stock for walks and in-store pickup. You're waiting in line for walk in stock.
 
T-mobile from apple.com is locked?

Still cannot find an iPhone 5S. After the pick-up option failed for me for the sixth time (shows as available until the place order button is pressed), I called Apple Customer Support. The representative I talked to told me that if you order a T-Mobile iPhone 5S from the website you will receive a locked phone and that the only way to get a truly unlocked phone for T-Mobile is to purchase it directly from the Apple Store. Does anyone know if this is true / false about online sales?
 
BeerdedOne said:
Still cannot find an iPhone 5S. After the pick-up option failed for me for the sixth time (shows as available until the place order button is pressed), I called Apple Customer Support. The representative I talked to told me that if you order a T-Mobile iPhone 5S from the website you will receive a locked phone and that the only way to get a truly unlocked phone for T-Mobile is to purchase it directly from the Apple Store. Does anyone know if this is true / false about online sales?
Click to expand...

If you buy a tmobile 5S EITHER from the Apple store or from Apple.com it will be unlocked period.

Mentioning the word "unlocked" is a big no no to any people employed by Apple at this time.
 
Actually the "unlocked" information was volunteered by the rep I was talking to, I never mentioned it at all. But in all likelihood they were just a contract call center employee and not someone actually working for Apple.
 
Akack said:
Mentioning the word "unlocked" is a big no no to any people employed by Apple at this time.
Click to expand...

Just tell the Apple store employee you want to purchase a "device only" phone. As Akcack stated, it's a big no no to mention "unlocked."

Coleman2010 said:
No it doesn't take 2 hours to buy one.

There is usually a line when the store opens for people looking to buy the iPhone 5s unlocked. Show up to the store 2-3 hours before it opens and you should be able to buy one.

The store has limited stock for walks and in-store pickup. You're waiting in line for walk in stock.
Click to expand...

Different stores have different policies for walk-in's. Call the store after they open to confirm if they sell device only phones in the morning, or if they allow you to purchase them during the day. Calling them in the morning is best, because they are the ones most familiar with the store policy.

If they only allow device only purchases when the store opens, then you need to show up 2-3 hours before they open. In my city, there's always a group of scalpers that are there about 2 1/2 hours before the stores open. :(

Personally, I've been trying to exchange a VZ Gold for Silver. And it's been a hassle trying to find one. I showed up to the store 2 1/2 hours early and there was already 20 people in line.
 
AnthonyH56 said:
If I want to get one with Straight Talk, what is the full procedure I have to go trough. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I would avoid Straight Talk if you use data more than 2.5GB, because they will reduce your LTE speed to less than 1Mbps if you use more than 2.5GB.

Try prepaid Tmobile, go to walmart and pick up the $30 month prepaid plan Unlimited text, 100 voice minutes and unlimited data but only up 5 GB LTE speed then after 5GB, they will reduce your speed too but 5 GB is a lot.
 
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