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Apple Stores selling contract-free iPhones

by Dave Caolo Mar 27th 2009 at 12:00PM

Last week came the sneak peek at internal AT&T memos meant to coach employees on the sale of unsubsidized iPhones. Today, there's news that Apple has begun selling no-contract iPhones at their retail stores. You can grab an 8GB iPhone 3G for $599 or a 16GB model for $699, take it home and do what you will. Unlike restrictions set up by AT&T, Apple Store customers may purchase as many unsubsidized phones as they please.

With WWDC and the release of iPhone OS 3.0 both scheduled for June, it looks like Apple might be clearing house for something new. Perhaps the current model will drop in price and become the entry-level iPhone to make room for the rumored 2009 model.

In any case, go and pick up a contract-free iPhone directly from Apple, if that's your thing.

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Last week came the sneak peek at internal AT&T memos meant to coach employees on the sale of unsubsidized iPhones. Today, there's news...
 

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Anthony

Am I missing something? I bought an iPhone from the apple store, at the regular price, and activated it about a month later contract-free on a prepaid plan. This was about a year ago.. has something changed in the activation scheme where this is no longer a possibility?

March 30 2009 at 3:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Enigmafan420

Milo

very interesting-I wonder if AT$T would do that here in the USA-I can't imagine it if the phone is still under contract.

But that gets me thinking-I thought in the USA there was a law that the carriers had to unlock you after 90 days. I got T-MO to unlock my RAZR that way. If you have good payment history, I thought they HAD to unlock you?

Anyone try to get AT$T to unlock them?

March 28 2009 at 9:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Enigmafan420's comment
mo

I don't why AT&T would care.
Regardless of which telco you use, they will still be getting your monthly payments, so why not.

March 29 2009 at 8:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Charlie

WOOHOOO non contract iphones, yeah its great but they are stupidly expensive!!!


by the way...for great Up-to-Date news, tips, tricks and great deals go to [REDACTED]

March 28 2009 at 3:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rjrawlings

@joel
That would be true if you go to an AT@T store. Did you even read the article?

March 27 2009 at 3:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Enigmafan420

I am sure these phones have the 2.31.00 baseband and thus are not currently unlockable using yellosn0w.

Not sure what the benefit is here? Especially with the price-wait for the new one! Hope AT&T will let me get a new one, will still have 1 year left on my contract in July.

March 27 2009 at 3:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Enigmafan420's comment
mo

My iPhone 3g is unlocked.
I called Optus (my telco) and they unlocked it.

March 28 2009 at 6:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mark

This is idiotic. All you have to do is buy the iPhone on contract then cancel it and pay the ETF. It's cheaper that way than just buying it out right.

March 27 2009 at 3:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to mark's comment
Enigmafan420

I read somewhere that not only do you pay the $175 ETF, but AT&T is adding a surcharge for contract breach on iPhone owners. Works out to a LOT more than $175. But I am not sure if that is true-only read about it one time.

March 27 2009 at 3:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Smiley Barry

My friend tried getting an iPhone 3G via contract and then canceling it. AT&T told her (and showed her (in the contract)) that upon cancellation, the iPhone must be returned. Yes, I'm serious.

March 27 2009 at 3:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marcos

An unlocked phone would be really nice. This... not quite there.

March 27 2009 at 2:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brian

Sweet! Nice to know that if a new iPhone comes out this summer and I decide to upgrade again, I'll be able to sell my activated-but-no-longer-needed 3G for a good price. :-)

March 27 2009 at 2:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jmy4

You have to be a current customer to purchase but your contract is not extended for two years. I would wait for this summer anyways given a new iPhone is right around the corner.

Choices!

March 27 2009 at 1:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andre

The 3.0 release is scheduled for June? Where was that announcement? I missed that. Last I heard was "summer".

March 27 2009 at 1:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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