What's the point of the contract-free AT&T iPhone 4S?

[IO01]

Please tell me: Can you name even one benefit of purchasing the full-priced AT&T model instead of the exact same-priced factory unlocked model?

Now that the factory unlocked model is available, there probably isn't a benefit to buying it "device only." But the factory unlocked model wasn't available until 11-11 (and later for me -- this past weekend? -- because I did not want to order online from Apple). I can't speak for the others here, but I bought the contract-free phone (over a month ago) because I wanted an unlocked phone earlier than the "sometime in November" release date for the factory unlocked model.

I would like ThomasJL to comment on Daytona 360's post, when the latter said:

Please stop spreading inaccurate information. As indicated in this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1253171/

Someone has chatted with Apple Store support, and support said once a phone is unlocked, it will remain unlocked:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/13873128/

Also, what if an Apple Store runs out of the factory unlocked model? Instead of losing a sale, they can sell you an AT&T device only model, which is unlocked as well:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/13834409/

Finally, @Daytona 360:

The physical (in the box anyways) difference is that the AT&T phone comes with an AT&T micro SIM, but no SIM eject tool. The factory unlocked model comes with a SIM eject tool but no SIM card.

While I got the contract-free model, my cousin just got her factory unlocked model. She reports that her's did not include a SIM eject tool (not that anyone needs one, as a bent paper-clip will do).

 

[taedouni]

People need to quit being silly. Apple calls the GSM iPhone the att iPhone because it includes an att micro sim card. The addition of that sim card has absolutely nothing to do with the phone being locked or unlocked. If you pay full price for an AT&T iPhone (through apple ) then you do not have to worry about it being locked. Apple is the company that has the ability to lock or unlock an iPhone . If they sold it to you unlocked then it will forever remained unlocked. It is only locked when AT&T subsidizes your iPhone. Apple officially started to offer the unlocked iPhone on the 11th of November ; however it was possible to get one earlier. What's so hard about understanding that?

 

[fizzwinkus]

Everything you said is correct, except that apple doesn't call the gsm phone the AT&T phone. An AT&T model is different from the gsm model. The AT&T model may be unlocked depending on how you buy it (device only, off contract)

The gsm model is always unlocked.

 

[Hpye]

In US I don't see any point.

You can use t mobile with cheaper monthly fee

 

[joeshmo2010]

The att&t iPhone4S is the only one that has hspa+ making it the fastest iPhone 4S available, also having it unlocked means you can travel outside the country and not get charged roaming fees

Any iPhone 4S used on a gsm network that supports HSPA+ will get those speeds. Doesn't have to be the "AT&T" one