No SIM swapping before iPhone activation

Iphone...SIM card question when I give up my Iphone. Ok, I got an Iphone as a gift...I engaged it, and I don't like it as much as my blackberry (no girls with fingernails can type on an Iphone quickly)...
so
I wanna give my Iphone to a friend....
should I remove the SIM card that was in it and
activated, before I give the phone to a friend?

I played with the iPhone and it's wonderful... but i won't buy one as long as i'm forced to use AT&T. No way no how.

Hi guys iPhone is GSM system like any other phone. Reliable source says that they have blocked iPhone, and soon within maybe month or so, they will come up crack (way to unblock iPone) that will allow to use any providers sim card. Problem is if you buy it now and activate with iTunes you will be stuck with AT&Ts crazy plan and not so great service, later cancelation will cost you $175. They say wount be anouph iPones...., That is how thy make people fool like them camping outside of stores. They hope to get as much as possible customers. So later they will be forced to be with att for two yars, that big boom was set up since january. So wait other wise you be forced to be with AT&T for two years with their rip-of plan and slow EDGE network! Good luck!

KPO restates my points exactly. I travel to countries where I need to be prepared for my phone to be stolen. In those instances, I need to pull my SIM and put it in one of my backup phones.

If I don't have that ability with the iPhone it makes it less attractive to me.

@12 danny -- there's plenty of info for current ATT customers in both the Apple and ATT documentation.

Basically, you just need to add the iPhone data plan to your account, which is $20/mo and your contract "clock" will be reset and you'll now be on a 2-yr agreement.

Cheers,
FL

There's a difference between being SIM-locked and using a non-standard SIM or having a user-non-accessible SIM. Matthew's question about being able to sign up for AT&T, and then remove the SIM and use it in another phone is a valid one. iPhone may be hardwired to accept only one specific SIM (i.e. not just an AT&T SIM, but that specific SIM that it comes with), but that doesn't necessarily mean I couldn't pull that SIM out and use it in another phone. It would be nice to know the answer to that one. For instance, some of us may use a different AT&T phone at the office (say a Treo), or might travel overseas with a cheap phone (not wanting to risk having your fancy new $600 phone swiped while going through airport security), and thus it might be appealing to be able to use the AT&T SIM in another phone. There's no logical reason why either Apple or AT&T would block that.

@Dave Yes, it's a non-standard SIM. I don't have a link but I know I read that someplace.

@Adam Turetzky: Nice detective work. I'm never taking issue with anything you say again. I'd be willing to bet, though, there's at least some states that would consider that a valid reason for returning it. Hence, no restocking fee penalty and a big backlog of open box iPhone returns.
I guess it depends on the particulars of this pre-purchase agreement and whether you have to sign something before you purchase it. The iPhone FAQ at AT&T is down for maintenance and if I don't get back to being productive soon I'm not going to be able to afford one.

It's one-iphone-per-person on Friday. I just got this email from AT&T:

"With iPhone arriving June 29th at 6 p.m. in AT&T retail stores, the wait is almost over. Use our online store locator to find the closest AT&T store that sells Apple iPhone (limit one per person). We'll show you maps, directions, and everything you need to get your hands on an iPhone as quickly as possible."

Find a iphone store near you: http://wheresiphone.com

Even more interesting. From the AT&T site "pre-purchase understandings" PDF...

"The credit approval for your AT&T service also happens on your computer. It’s part of activating through iTunes, but if you’d rather have your credit pre-approved before you leave the store, an AT&T store representative can help you with that."

They don't mention what happens if you don't qualify however. Then at the bottom in bold type they have this:

"You can return your iPhone within 14 days for a full refund, but there is a 10% restocking fee if the box has been opened."

So, if you buy an iPhone, forego the in-store credit check, get home, open it up, plug it in and get denied a 2 year contract based on your credit history, you've got 14 days to bring it back and loose $60 for trying.

So I guess people with less than favorable credit should check in the store and get pre-approved and those buying second hand, well, that's a whole different issue.