Apple Begins to Officially Sell Unlocked iPhone 5s in the U.S.

Published on 11-30-2012 02:52 AM

As rumored previously, Apple recently began taking orders for factory unlocked versions of its latest iPhone 5 through the company’s U.S. online store. The news suggests that supply of the handset has finally caught up with the demand for it.

Unlocked iPhone 5 units range in price from $649 for the 16GB model to $849 for the highest capacity 64GB iteration. All unlocked units are currently seeing ship-by times of one week, which is identical to AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon iterations. Orders are also currently limited to two handsets per customers for those of you who might be seeking to get multiple.

The Cupertino California company also posted an informational webpage on their website that delves further into explaining how the unlocked devices work, saying that users will receive all the features of an iPhone without having to sign onto a wireless contract. Any GSM network in the U.S. is supported; however unlocked iPhones don’t support CDMA networks such as those run by Sprint and Verizon. Apple’s informational webpage states the following regarding the unlocked units:

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. It does not come with a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5, so you’ll need to get one from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using it, simply insert the card into the slot on your iPhone and turn it on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

The news also seems to confirm an earlier report which stated that brick-and-mortar Apple Stores are mostly caught up with demand for the latest iPhone, finally having enough supply to sell units to walk-in customers.

Now that the unlocked iPhone 5s are out, will any of you be purchasing one for yourself, a family member, or a friend?

Source: Apple

_{This article was originally published in forum thread:
Apple Begins to Officially Sell Unlocked iPhone 5s in the U.S.
started by
Akshay Masand} _{View original post}

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25 Comments

monay_man - 12-01-2012, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Lionkid7

I have an important question. The price of 649$ does not include VAT. Tax in NY is 8.875%. That is a total of about 705$. Is it cheaper to buy it in other states? I check Wikipedia for tax rates and some states have no sales tax at all. Is it a good way to spare some extra money?

I bought my 64 gb iPhone 5 from Verizon my total came to 975$ after tax. So where your at you got a good deal. Unless you go to ebay and bid on one I see them go for 850 or just a little under for the 64gb.
- Reply

Simon - 12-01-2012, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by GrandMstrBud

Ha ha for 300 bucks I can wait 2 weeks

I've heard waiting times on a nexus 4 are a lot longer than 2 weeks right now. Can't beat that price though. Even other androids can't beat it for the top tier unlocked ones.
- Reply

fanboyfanboy - 12-03-2012, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by Cer0

For things like this, dropping hundereds of dollars on, I prefer to have it in my hands right away. Althought I don't realy like the locations of the Apple stores around here. Mainly the Mall of America one. (Majority of the local people don't like going to that tourist trap at all)

I don't know where your located, but have you been to the rosedale store? Been there multiple times, usually isn't too overcrowded
- Reply

tyroneworster - 12-03-2012, 05:20 AM

I did jailbreak in my iPhone 5. But it's tethered version now....
- Reply

bradmullins007 - 12-03-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by tyroneworster

I did jailbreak in my iPhone 5. But it's tethered version now....

I don't have a 5 or I'd test for myself but I call BS on that one. As that would mean they've magically discovered a new bootrom exploit.
Troll.
- Reply

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