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Unlocked iPhone 4 available for $649 in US (Updated)

by Chris Rawson Jun 14th 2011 at 3:30AM

Update: The unlocked iPhone 4 actually slipped out a day early, and is now available through the Apple Store. As mentioned below, this is a GSM model only. Also, we've answered many common questions in our unlocked iPhone FAQ.

While we were skeptical about the rumors that came up over the weekend, both MacRumors and 9to5 Mac now confirm that unlocked versions of the iPhone 4 have arrived in Apple's retail outlets and will go on sale starting Wednesday. The 16 GB iPhone 4 will cost US$649, while the 32 GB model will retail for $749. These prices are higher than U.S. buyers might be used to seeing for the iPhone because they're handset-only prices, independent of any carrier contract. Note that this concerns only the GSM model; the CDMA/Verizon model is expected to remain Verizon-only for now.

Like most other mobile phones in the U.S., the iPhone has been locked to a specific carrier since its introduction. Before the Verizon iPhone debuted, AT&T was the sole carrier choice for American iPhone owners unless they were willing to jailbreak for the privilege of using the iPhone on an alternate carrier. The iPhone's carrier lock in the U.S. also means that, unlike international users who can swap out SIMs at will, American iPhone owners who travel internationally must pay exorbitant international roaming fees.

As the GSM model iPhone 4 will now be available without an AT&T contract, users who choose to pay the high initial cost for the iPhone will find themselves with a few advantages -- not being chained to AT&T for two years has to be the biggest one. However, given that the only other major GSM carrier in the States is T-Mobile, whose 3G network is incompatible with the iPhone 4, the ability to swap between national networks at will is not as big of an advantage as it may seem at first. The real winners will be international travelers, who will finally be able to swap SIMs and pay lower fees when they're abroad.

This may be a boon to international buyers, as well. Unlocked versions of the iPhone 4 retail for significantly higher than the above-quoted prices in most countries. For example, a contract-free 32 GB iPhone 4 is available in New Zealand for NZ$1328 (US$1084), significantly more expensive than the U.S. price even after taking GST into account. Buying an iPhone from the U.S. has been out of the question for most international purchasers due to the AT&T carrier lock, but if the iPhone 4 and subsequent models will be available unlocked, I know of at least one person who will be taking full advantage of the lower U.S. pricing when the iPhone 5 comes out.



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An unlocked version of the iPhone 4 will allegedly be available in US Apple stores beginning this Wednesday
 

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26 Comments

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ashxarh

And why can't ATT sell 2 years contract with an unlocked iphone for additional $50? I don't mind being under 2 years contract but want to be flexible when I am out the country using other SIM cards.

June 15 2011 at 3:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sethmeisterg

Can anyone answer this question: When the iPhone 4 came out, I bought one for the unsubsidized price of around $700. It is still locked, however. Can I just call up AT&T or Apple and ask them to unlock it (since I didn't sign any contract or use any carrier subsidy)?

June 14 2011 at 7:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sethmeisterg's comment
yogersonf

Hi, I called regarding that same issue (I also have an unsubsidized iPhone 4), and I was told that at this moment that it's not possible but they are considering. My recommendation is that everyone in this situation should call apple.

June 15 2011 at 7:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brianashe@mac.com

Good to know that my gently-used, one-year-old iPhone 4 will still command a good price on eBay when the iPhone 5 comes out. :-) I've owned one of each iPhone made (being the main number on a family plan, I'm eligible to upgrade about once a year) and each one sold for enough to pay for its replacement. (I got lucky when buying my first--a refurbished 4GB for $249 right after the price drop.)

June 14 2011 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
deviladv

This is actually good for those who like to play the market on eBay. Hopefully they will carry the policy thru to the next iPhone version. Here's how it works. Buy iPhone last year, on 2 year contract. iPhone 5 comes out, buy unlocked version and drop your existing sim in it, you have new phone. Unlock and jailbreak old iPhone 4, sell on ebay, walk away with new phone for roughly the same price as a brand new iPhone with contract, or maybe even less!

June 14 2011 at 12:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Justin

This is fantastic for international travelers, but otherwise not such a great deal, since you can bet that you'll be paying the same rates whether you buy you phone out of contract outright, or with a carrier subsidy. I'll personally stick to the subsidized version when the next iPhone comes out (unless AT&T miraculously changes their plans to offer a lower rate for those bringing their own handset), but I can appreciate how good for other people this might be.

June 14 2011 at 9:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Glenn Gore

Actually, Benjamin, in my area CellularOne is the regional carrier, and they do use the same frequencies and system that AT&T does. They can roam on AT&T but AT&T cannot roam on them for some odd reason. CellularOne's entire system will be 3G-capable by the end of the summer, so I am looking forward to finally being able to use an iPhone here. I just talked to one of their technicians and he said they are looking forward to having their customers use the iPhone on their system. They are full ready.

June 14 2011 at 9:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MattB

or you can use pay as you go GSM services like pureTalk or others if you don't want to pay for a data subscription

June 14 2011 at 8:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob

I'd buy one of ATT gave me a discount on month to month service if I bring my own phone - which seems like it would make sense, no? - but they don't. In other words, If I could pay ~$45/month for no contract service rather than ~$60 with a discounted phone for the same service and a contract, I would do so. As it is, the unlocked phone is useless.

June 14 2011 at 7:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
johnmc

Maybe now AT&T will finally unlock iPhones.

I was actually considering buying my next one out of the country, but I won't need to if I can get a carrier unlocked one here in the US now.

June 14 2011 at 7:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Yuri Franzoni

Altough the price looks a bit high, it's still a great deal for brazilian buyers traveling in the US. That US$ 649 ticket is equivalent to about 70% of the "carrier unlocked" price here in Brazil!

June 14 2011 at 7:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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