In years past at least, the sim-free iPhones tend to show up when demand and supply equalize. The shipping times for the iPhone 5S recently improved to 3-5 days so I'm going to *guess* that in the next month or so we'll see a sim-free version or perhaps sooner.
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When will the SIM-free iPhone 5S be avaliable in the U.S.?
- Thread starter ThomasJL
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In years past at least, the sim-free iPhones tend to show up when demand and supply equalize. The shipping times for the iPhone 5S recently improved to 3-5 days so I'm going to *guess* that in the next month or so we'll see a sim-free version or perhaps sooner.
That is not true if you buy the phone Sim Free at Apple it will not Pop up as ATT on an IMEI checker. It will only show country of original as USA.
You will get exactly the same indication on an IMEI checker with what you describe as official SIM free phone.
I bought my last 4S official SIM free from the Apple store in Toronto. Activated when I got back to London and it always shows up on IMEI checkers as Canada and Unlocked.
My existing 5S was bought from Carrier in the UK and unlocked by carrier before activated. It shows up as UK and Unlocked no carrier name attached to IMEI checker.
Perhaps it depends on the IMEI checker then? My friend's unlocked AT&T iPhone running on T-mobile still shows up as an AT&T iPhone--not that it matters much I guess.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1676029/
Looks like it'll still be a few weeks, but they're actually selling it now.
5s unlocked SIM-free GSM compatible iPhone is available to order online shipping in 1-2 weeks.
Finally, it's here!
Thank you guys for posting the update that the SIM-free iPhone 5S finally went on sale today, November 22. Thanks for the link to today's MacRumors headline that reads, "Apple Begins Offering Unlocked, SIM-Free iPhone 5s Models in U.S. with 1-2 Week Shipping."
The prices for the SIM-free iPhone 5S are the exact same as the prices for the carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S. It is totally pointless to buy a carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S, except for one reason: Someone wants a CDMA carrier like Sprint or Verizon while simultaneously wanting to save money monthly by having no data plan (if you buy a subsidized iPhone 5S, you are required to pay every month for a data plan). But for a GSM carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile, the carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S is totally pointless now since the SIM-free version is now available at the exact same price points. I wonder why Apple is even selling the AT&T and T-Mobile carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S now.
Two different AppleCare representatives have told me that while some carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S may be unlocked, the carriers still hold jurisdiction over whether those phones can be locked in the future and over certain OTA carrier-specific restrictive software that can be installed. Both AppleCare representatives told me that while carriers may be unlikely to exercise that jurisdiction, they still have it. Both AppleCare reps told me that if I want a truly unlocked phone with peace of mind that no restrictions will ever be implemented by carriers on my phone in the future, then the only solution is to buy the SIM-free model when it is released.
Thank you guys for posting the update that the SIM-free iPhone 5S finally went on sale today, November 22. Thanks for the link to today's MacRumors headline that reads, "Apple Begins Offering Unlocked, SIM-Free iPhone 5s Models in U.S. with 1-2 Week Shipping."
The prices for the SIM-free iPhone 5S are the exact same as the prices for the carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S. It is totally pointless to buy a carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S, except for one reason: Someone wants a CDMA carrier like Sprint or Verizon while simultaneously wanting to save money monthly by having no data plan (if you buy a subsidized iPhone 5S, you are required to pay every month for a data plan). But for a GSM carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile, the carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S is totally pointless now since the SIM-free version is now available at the exact same price points. I wonder why Apple is even selling the AT&T and T-Mobile carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S now.
Two different AppleCare representatives have told me that while some carrier-specific non-contract iPhone 5S may be unlocked, the carriers still hold jurisdiction over whether those phones can be locked in the future and over certain OTA carrier-specific restrictive software that can be installed. Both AppleCare representatives told me that while carriers may be unlikely to exercise that jurisdiction, they still have it. Both AppleCare reps told me that if I want a truly unlocked phone with peace of mind that no restrictions will ever be implemented by carriers on my phone in the future, then the only solution is to buy the SIM-free model when it is released.
And carriers just as well could deny allowing "sim free" phones on their network...
But that did raise a question for me: Could a carrier (say Verizon) decide to sim-lock a phone (that was sold as Verizon, off-contract) to their network _after_ it has been sold and activated (and used on some other operator's network)? (Assuming - for example - they manage to lobby to change the law that keeps them from locking their phones).
Verizon is most certainly not going to risk an extremely bad PR doing that. Instead, they'll just apply the new rule to all iPhones activated after they change the law.
No they cannot. Verizon is being forced by the FCC to sell their phones GSM unlocked. They will cannot lock them.
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LOL The AppleCare reps told you a load of bull. The T-Mobile version is GSM unlocked. So is the Verizon version. Unlocked, is unlocked, period.
I am using a Verizon 5s on T-Mobile and I receive the T-Mobile carrier updates. I don't know why people try and make this confusing when it's not.
Locking/unlocking change
Actually - I was more interested whether _technically_ it is possible. Or is there something that permanently changes in the phone itself, after which it will always be unlocked. I would guess not - i.e. it could be locked "back" (after all I recall some providers locking phones to their SIMs when inserted/activated using that SIM). But which would raise the possibility that if I insert/use a SIM for a provider that I plan to use temporarily (e.g. on a trip) that provider could lock my phone to their network and "hold me hostage"?
So - bottom line, my questions are:
Actually - I was more interested whether _technically_ it is possible. Or is there something that permanently changes in the phone itself, after which it will always be unlocked. I would guess not - i.e. it could be locked "back" (after all I recall some providers locking phones to their SIMs when inserted/activated using that SIM). But which would raise the possibility that if I insert/use a SIM for a provider that I plan to use temporarily (e.g. on a trip) that provider could lock my phone to their network and "hold me hostage"?
So - bottom line, my questions are:
- Is locking purely a concept of IMEI numbers stored in an external database(s) (External to the phone itself, that is)?
- Is that locking status only changeable
- By the provider that the phone "belongs" to (i.e. as it was sold originally)?
- For unlocked/SIM free phones it is only the manufacturer that could change it?
- What about "third-party" unlocking services? How does that work?
Does anyone know if the factory unlocked iPhone 5S released today has a different box differentiating itself from T-Mobile. In other words, does the box itself say, factory unlocked. Unlike if you were to buy a contact-free T-Mobile 5S, there's a decal sticker on the wrapper indicating that it's a T-Mobile device?
Exactly everything is about them is the same, even the packaging. The only difference is that the Tmobile Unlocked one has a Tmobile sim card inside.
I think the "order number" which should be on the package would be different. For example (according to this website), the iPhone 5C White 16 GB GSM models have different order number based on whether it is T-mobile or sim-free (although both unlocked):
- T-Mobile (unlocked): ME529LL/A
- Unlocked/sim free: ME493LL/A
However, not sure how one would distinguish (based on packaging alone) whether it was a T-mobile store bought iPhone (locked) vs. an apple store bought T-mobile iPhone (full-price, unlocked), based on packaging alone. I guess writing down the IMEI number (also on the packaging) and checking online would be the only way to go...
I went to Apple to see if they have factory unlocked in stock and they told me I had to order it online. They have no idea when they're getting them in-store.
Only order numbers are different, but other than that... everything is the same. The SIM-free iPhone is just basically an non-subsidized device-only AT&T model.
Apple seem to be practicing deliberate deception, I've personally heard Apple reps lie to customers in-store and tell them Verizon and AT&T phones are locked and only work with Verizon/AT&T.
Device only phones bought from Apple come factory unlocked, whether AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile(with the exception of Sprint, which is always locked, and Verizon is unlocked subsidized as well)
Device only phones bought from Apple come factory unlocked, whether AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile(with the exception of Sprint, which is always locked, and Verizon is unlocked subsidized as well)
Bought an unlocked 5s at the Apple Store on Prince St. in Manhattan.
The store on 5th av. had none in stock and was pushing every single customer to the 5c.
Guess if you're lucky there are some to be found around.
The store on 5th av. had none in stock and was pushing every single customer to the 5c.
Guess if you're lucky there are some to be found around.
LOL Any iPhone 5s purchased at Apple retail store full priced device only is unlocked except for Sprint. There is no luck involved. Just buy device only if you want unlocked.
Exactly. Not the Sprint version? Bought it full priced at an Apple Store? Great job! You got yourself an unlocked phone!
Sorry, my bad, I was reporting what Apple Store employees were saying to customers (me included), implying that iPhones are not unlocked unless sold sim-free.
No idea why they are saying this.
Also, I had tried to get a silver one for days but the space grey 16gigs was the only model available.
Yesterday all models, all colors were available, sold sim-free, cause I guess as sim-free iPhones were live on the websites, actual stores received sim-free stocks as well.
Every iPhone at the Apple store is unlocked. Unlocked until it is sold with a contract. The iPhone is locked to a network when a subsidy and contract is attached to it and then removed from the unlock database.
That's why the device only purchases are unlocked. It's not being bound to a subsidy and contract.
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Yeah, got it now.
I wonder why Apple Stores wouldn't make this clear(er) for the customers.
I asked for a device-only phone as I wanted to use it abroad and not be tied to a US carrier. The answer was that they only had at&t and verizon phones.
Now, technically that may be correct, but for those (like I was) unaware that these are actually unlocked devices, it's an answer that certainly prevents a sale from happening.
Anyway, thanks for clearing this up.
I wonder why Apple Stores wouldn't make this clear(er) for the customers.
I asked for a device-only phone as I wanted to use it abroad and not be tied to a US carrier. The answer was that they only had at&t and verizon phones.
Now, technically that may be correct, but for those (like I was) unaware that these are actually unlocked devices, it's an answer that certainly prevents a sale from happening.
Anyway, thanks for clearing this up.