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

[Akshay Masand]

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

[Airwaves182]

Is my iPhone 5 unlocked? If not this sucks 😠

[camo2284]

Finally I see some progress, next the jailbreak!!

[skram]

If you need your iPhone 5 unlocked, just go to iUnlockr - The easiest way to unlock your iPhone for any carrier. Factory unlock your iPhone today. they've been unlocking since release. Got mine done

[truenorth]

What's a 5S?

[monay_man]

What's a 5S?

Meaning 5's not 5S, speaking plural.

[orgy9111]

Yes yes yes!!!!!!! Finally it's out!!!!!!

[truenorth]

Thanks monay

[bmwraw8482]

I want an iPhone 5s!

[tdawg3000]

No CDMA support bummer....

[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?

[GenesisDH]

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?

Not really, because more states are starting to require one to pay a use tax on the retail value of the item in question when it's purchased outside one's home state. That alone might actually increase the amount you spend on the items.

[iFrosty]

Mines been unlocked

[itsTrentB]

Ahhhhh, you fooled me with the title!! *5s*

[GrandMstrBud]

Nexus 4 16GB 349
iPhone 5 16 649

What am I missing here

[GenesisDH]

Nexus 4 16GB 349
iPhone 5 16 649

What am I missing here

The extra time before receiving the Nexus 4...

[exNavy]

Got one at the local apple store today. Last year when I ordered a factory unlocked phone online I received an empty box. I'm not having that experience again.

[Cer0]

Got one at the local apple store today. Last year when I ordered a factory unlocked phone online I received an empty box. I'm not having that experience again.

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)

[perrycannon]

If you need your iPhone 5 unlocked, just go to iUnlockr - The easiest way to unlock your iPhone for any carrier. Factory unlock your iPhone today. they've been unlocking since release. Got mine done

The site mentioned above iUnlockr, will only unlock iPhones from AT&T. This company cannot unlock phones from other US carriers or overseas carriers. If you mistakenly pay for this service and provide your IMEI for an iPhone from an overseas carrier, they will not refund your payment.

Please be aware.

[Lohand]

GSM global compatibility. Another reason why the AT&T iPhone is "scammed" 10x as much as the Sprint/Verizon CDMA one.