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soya

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 30, 2010
433
106
Hi,

I would like to pre-order an iPhone 5 via Apple website but I don't want to be on contract with AT&T, Verizon or any other carrier. I heard that I could buy a full price iPhone 5 and that it will come unlocked by default (?). Do I have to order it via Apple.com or should I go to AT&T website ?

Thank you
 
I heard it would not be unlocked the first few weeks, but you can still buy it a Off-Contract version.
 
If you want a factory unlocked iPhone 5 you will have to wait a few weeks. It will not be available right away.
 
If you want a factory unlocked iPhone 5 you will have to wait a few weeks. It will not be available right away.

In Canada at least unlocked is available right away, when paying outright for the phone at apple
 
So basically, the off-contract version is still locked to the carrier ? After how many days can I ask for an unlock ?
 
So basically, the off-contract version is still locked to the carrier ? After how many days can I ask for an unlock ?

Til your contract is up. Wait a few weeks. The unsubsidized locked phone is the same damn price as the factory unlocked.
 
Last year you could buy off contract from the Apple store starting day 1 and it was unlocked. This was before it was officially available unlocked. Don't know if you can do it for preorder though.
 
I would also like to find out about this as I would like to get the unlocked version although my AT&T is qualified for an upgraded pricing. I want a phone that can be used oversea with other carrier. I guess the only way is to buy an unsubsidized unlocked phone?

Hopefully we can also preorder the unlocked global version tonight :)
 
I'm going to wait tonight and see if there's any unlocked or full price version available. Anyway, on the 28th september, Cricket will launch a non-contract iPhone 5 so it is not that far away.
 
I'm going to wait tonight and see if there's any unlocked or full price version available. Anyway, on the 28th september, Cricket will launch a non-contract iPhone 5 so it is not that far away.

Cricket is CDMA right?
If I was you I'd wait for that cause if you buy any other version now for other carriers or even the full price AT&T model then you might not be able to activate it on cricket.
 
My bad. I want the GSM version. Sorry I'm a bit confused since I am from Belgium. Just moved in to Texas a few months ago.
 
Yup I just did not notice that Cricket was a CDMA carrier. In Belgium, they sell the iPhone fully unlocked like in Canada and we only use GSM network. :p
 
So just to make sure that I understand this correctly..

I can preorder OR wait till Sept 21st and wait in line in the Apple Store to get the off contract locked iPhone 5 full price, right?!

Basically I don't need it to be unlocked, but I do need it off contract!

Thanks!
 
There is no non-contract option on Apple's site as above.


The iPhone 5 is also not on the premier site for those of you with a corporate discount.

Looks like I am going to have to wait a month.
 
There is a no commitment option for the iPhone 5 on AT&T website.
 
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