Yes, walked in and asked for a VZW 5S ' device only '. Was done in 10 minutes.
If one store isn't doing it, and you have access to another one, try that. Some stores are just a PITA to deal with..
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Understanding the iPhone 5C/5S All-In-One AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon Model
- Thread starter Satnam1989
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes, walked in and asked for a VZW 5S ' device only '. Was done in 10 minutes.
If one store isn't doing it, and you have access to another one, try that. Some stores are just a PITA to deal with..
Which Apple store was it that would not sell you a VZW iPhone 5s "device only"? Also I wonder if they would eventually ease up on that policy (i.e. when more phones are available). A good indicator of that would be to know whether they have the same policy on the 5c, too (of which I suspect there are more than enough on hand at all stores).
I guess what I was missing (at least) is activation fees, which would be $30-$35 or so? (It is not clear to me looking at VZW's website). In any case that would put it over the full price of the phone. Plus all the hassle (paperwork, credit check, cancellation) - it sounds like it would be better to just get it "device only" from an Apple store (provided they don't refuse to sell it that way).
$36 activation fee. However, if you get a month of service that might be worthwhile.
Unlocked iPhone 5s thru Verizon website
First, thank you to everyone who contributed information to this thread. I went to the Verizon website to look at the iPhone 5s model to see if I could purchase it off contract (unlocked). I chatted with a sales rep, the transcript of which I attached. Essentially, she claims you can purchase the unlocked iPhone 5s for $649, along with a wireless plan. Once your order is complete, you will see a confirmation code. If you call Verizon immediately you may cancel the wireless plan by giving them the confirmation code. Then you own the unlocked phone outright. I assume this process is done to get more people to sign up for Verizon plans and to prevent unlocked phone owners from shopping around.
Has anyone done this yet?
I pasted the chat below:
You are now chatting with 'Christine'
Christine: Hi and welcome to Verizon Wireless Sales Chat, my name is Christine. May I have your name, please?
You: Hi. Can I buy an unlocked iPhone 5s from you (for $649) and then immediately use a third party's prepaid
month to month wireless. For example, Straight Talk or Net10.
Christine: You can absolutely do that.
You: OK great. Is there any fee or process I need to go through with Verizon first?
Christine: Absolutely not.
Christine: You would have to choose the bubble that says MONTH TO MONTH
You: OK great.
Christine:
You: I'm in the ordering process and its asking me to select a plan.
Christine: So you would have to and then when you get that confirmation number, you would cancel that with
them.
You: So pay for the wireless plan and then immediately cancel it?
Christine: That is correct.
You: That's inconvenient. When can I first cancel the plan? Upon receipt of the phone?
Christine: You can cancel it as soon as you have the confirmation number.
You: Will the confirmation number be in an email receipt I receive after the purchase?
Christine: It will be on screen.
You: OK.
Christine:
You: Won't I incur an ETF by cancelling the wireless plan immediately?
Christine: Absolutely not.
You: Because it hasn't commenced?
Christine: That is correct.
You: How do I cancel?
Christine: You would call customer care. At 1-800-922-0204.
First, thank you to everyone who contributed information to this thread. I went to the Verizon website to look at the iPhone 5s model to see if I could purchase it off contract (unlocked). I chatted with a sales rep, the transcript of which I attached. Essentially, she claims you can purchase the unlocked iPhone 5s for $649, along with a wireless plan. Once your order is complete, you will see a confirmation code. If you call Verizon immediately you may cancel the wireless plan by giving them the confirmation code. Then you own the unlocked phone outright. I assume this process is done to get more people to sign up for Verizon plans and to prevent unlocked phone owners from shopping around.
Has anyone done this yet?
I pasted the chat below:
You are now chatting with 'Christine'
Christine: Hi and welcome to Verizon Wireless Sales Chat, my name is Christine. May I have your name, please?
You: Hi. Can I buy an unlocked iPhone 5s from you (for $649) and then immediately use a third party's prepaid
month to month wireless. For example, Straight Talk or Net10.
Christine: You can absolutely do that.
You: OK great. Is there any fee or process I need to go through with Verizon first?
Christine: Absolutely not.
Christine: You would have to choose the bubble that says MONTH TO MONTH
You: OK great.
Christine:
You: I'm in the ordering process and its asking me to select a plan.
Christine: So you would have to and then when you get that confirmation number, you would cancel that with
them.
You: So pay for the wireless plan and then immediately cancel it?
Christine: That is correct.
You: That's inconvenient. When can I first cancel the plan? Upon receipt of the phone?
Christine: You can cancel it as soon as you have the confirmation number.
You: Will the confirmation number be in an email receipt I receive after the purchase?
Christine: It will be on screen.
You: OK.
Christine:
You: Won't I incur an ETF by cancelling the wireless plan immediately?
Christine: Absolutely not.
You: Because it hasn't commenced?
Christine: That is correct.
You: How do I cancel?
Christine: You would call customer care. At 1-800-922-0204.
Verizon 5s here. I want to test it out on Gophone. To activate the AT&T sim it wants my iPhone 5s IMEI. If I use it and want to switch back and fourth, can I put my verizon sim back in or would verizon then block my phone from their network since it was on someone else's? Thanks!
I know I wasn't pointing at you, just giving a heads up to those purchasing such devices. (When ever a new type of plan/service comes around - there are those that exploit it for all wrong purposes)
Your fine, they will not block it, Verizon doesn't use IMEI, it uses the MEID (Aka ESN)
Thanks for this insightful post. It has helped me make a decision on a 5S purchase. I'm glad to read that the T-Mobile 5S is GSM unlocked domestically and internationally. So that 40-day rule I've read people post in the forum in maintaining 40 days of service on a 5S with T-Mobile doesn't hold true then, since it's unlocked out of the box?
Also, are you able to unlock a Sprint 4S so I can use it on T-Mobile locally here in the U.S. My Sprint contract is up next month and I plan on canceling service with Sprint. However, I need to hold onto my 4S until the 6 comes out next year. If it can be done, how can I locate your site to get this done?
Thanks.
I can't confidently say that the T-Mobile phone will come unlocked, because of supply shortage, Its possible T-Mobile may have the upper hand and request Apple to sell the phones Locked, and have customers call into T-Mobile to unlock (again I'm not sure 100% on what the situation would play out to be)
Sprint iPhone 4S can only be unlocked via one of those turbo sim chips (I do not recommend as they tend to stop working after software updates etc) in order to use it on T-Mobile or any GSM USA network. Sprint can unlock the iPhone's for you but the Unlock is only good for international use, it will not accept any domestic (USA) SIM.
I do not provide any sprint unlock services mainly because of the Unlock limitations in place, Its a waste of time explaining to people why their newly unlocked phone cannot be used within USA....also 3rd party Sprint iPhone Unlock services are very rare and take almost a month to complete.
That all in place creates frustrations for me and customers, as the waiting period and then the limitation of the Unlock.
Straight Talk sim cards
When I go to the Straight Talk website to order service for my unlocked phone, it gives me the option of buying an AT&T or T-Mobile compatible SIM card. Does it matter which one I purchase since I'm cutting it down to the Nano SIM size?
Within each carrier category there are SIM and Micro SIM cards.
Thanks.
When I go to the Straight Talk website to order service for my unlocked phone, it gives me the option of buying an AT&T or T-Mobile compatible SIM card. Does it matter which one I purchase since I'm cutting it down to the Nano SIM size?
Within each carrier category there are SIM and Micro SIM cards.
Thanks.
So the Verion 5S im gonna get and use with AT&T wont have a IMEI number on box?
This question still has not been answered definitively: how exactly do you get the device-only Verizon phone? I agree with this poster that the Apple site seems to restrict you to buying the Verizon phone only with a data plan, and that also seems to be true at many retailers. If there is a way to get around this on the Apple or Verizon sites can someone please post the exact steps? If you can buy in-store, can people who have done so say which retailers will sell full-price without the plan?
What about Regional Versions?
I'm curious if there's any info as to the unlocked status of the regional carrier versions? I.E. US Cellular (whenever they might actually release it), nTelos, C-Spire.
I'm planning on getting an unlocked variant (hopefully verizon) to use with AIO. If I can't get the Verizon version, I'm hoping I can use a family members upgrade from US Cellular. Just didn't know if anyone had info on the status of those...
I'm curious if there's any info as to the unlocked status of the regional carrier versions? I.E. US Cellular (whenever they might actually release it), nTelos, C-Spire.
I'm planning on getting an unlocked variant (hopefully verizon) to use with AIO. If I can't get the Verizon version, I'm hoping I can use a family members upgrade from US Cellular. Just didn't know if anyone had info on the status of those...
No - Factory Unlocked "From Factory" will not show you any message - also message in iTunes is not the only indicator that your iPhone is unlocked, As I provide services we see many phones that don't display "congratulations your iPhone has been unlocked" while the phones are actually 100% factory unlocked.
Its a confirmation for many but don't rely on it
----------
Yes it will have IMEI and MEID (aka ESN) ....will have both
MEID/ESN are 14 digits, IMEI = 15 digit, the MEID/ESN is and always have been the first 14 digits of the IMEI number for Dual (GSM + CDMA) Smartphones.
----------
Get from Verizon Online site, add it on month to month and get the plan, cancel the plan before you actually activate your phone/SIM when it arrives.
I cant see why they will charge any you any fee, Also you can always walk into Best Buy Stores and they will sell it to you at full price (If one store doesn't do it, try the next).
Alternatively you can Also print out a sheet of the $849 price with month to month plan (cheapest one u can select) but don't actually complete the checkout on verizon site and take it with you to the best buy store so they can price match as bestbuy has listed full price phones for $50 more, This is what I did and it worked for me.
----------
US Cellular most likely works like Sprint, and will not unlock for domestic (Within USA) use.
Get the Verizon if not then get the AT&T version and your good.
----------
I would recommend AT&T, I'm sure you would want to get access to LTE plus AT&T has a better coverage area, however it depends on you at the end of the day and if T-Mobile has really good coverage in your area, then you should't have much of an issue as their 4G HSPA+ 42Mbps speeds are very good.
----------
I would appreciate those of you that are endlessly asking (I'm getting tons of DM's) if the Verizon 5S/5c is factory unlocked - PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST - ITS CLEARLY STATED
YES YOU CAN ALSO TALK AND SURF, THIS IS NOT ANDROID SYSTEM, ANY IPHONE UNLOCKED WORKS ON ANY NETWORK THAT IS SUPPORTED LIKE IT WOULD IF IT WAS PURCHASED FROM THAT PARTICULAR CARRIER IT SELF, THIS IS HOW APPLE DESIGNS THE IPHONE - SO ITS ALWAYS READY FOR ANY AND ALL CARRIERS - THAT IS WHY OFFICIAL CARRIERS DO NOT REQUIRE APN SETTINGS TO BE EDITED - WE ONLY NEED TO EDIT THEM FOR MVNO NETWORKS OR THOSE THAT ARE NOT CARRYING THE IPHONE
Last edited:
Unfortunately even when you do month-to-month the VZW online order asks all these questions - like SSN, driver's license # (!!!), etc. See attachment/screenshot. I'd rather not give them all this info if I can avoid it. (Additionally their ship date is 10/28 - although I could live with that).
Also there is only one BestBuy in my town - the one that refuses to sell device only (other "closest" one is about ~150 miles). I guess the "best" option is to (eventually) try the Apple store (i.e. drive the 200 miles) and hope they have it in stock (could call ahead to get a "feel"), and are wiling to sell it to me "device only".
Attachments
Last edited:
Thanks. I guess that is a route I can take - depending how much I want the phone vs. how much private info I'm willing to give out...
Ok, so let me get this straight. If I wanted to use an iPhone 5s on the T-Mobile network, and I wanted to save a little bit on the phones. I could go to the Apple Store Online or Go into the Apple Store and buy a VERZN branded cell phone and pop in a T-Mobile SIM and it would work on T-Mobile? I would essentially be saving money from buying a T-Mobile (Unlocked)?
And it doesn't seem to make any sense getting an Unlocked phone unless you are going to T-Mobile or you are going to Europe and need a Smart Phone?
And it doesn't seem to make any sense getting an Unlocked phone unless you are going to T-Mobile or you are going to Europe and need a Smart Phone?
Thats ok, just fill in some info....like SSN jus put yours down...you can fill out the info just done complete the last step...close the browser at the end and clear your cookies/history. Anyway at the end of the day if you get it month-to-month you can cancel it as soon as it arrives, they want the info to protect them selves incase you decide to activate your Verizon service and rack up ton of overage etc.
I did it, and it let me see the full purchase price, I printed that page and used it at best buy to price match.