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Apple's site suggests unlocked iPhone 4S will be available

by Chris Rawson Oct 4th 2011 at 3:47PM

A question that's been on many people's minds today, including mine, is whether or not the iPhone 4S will be offered in an unlocked, contract-free option like the iPhone 4 has been for the past several months. I know I've been awaiting the answer to this question with great interest, especially with news today suggesting the iPhone 4S won't be available where I live until December.

Wording on Apple's iPhone page suggests that it will be offered unlocked. The below excerpt is directly from Apple's FAQ for the device (relevant portions in bold for emphasis):

If I lose my iPhone, can I buy a replacement iPhone?

Yes. You can purchase a replacement iPhone from the Apple Online Store, an Apple Retail Store, or your carrier's store. Your price will depend on whether you qualify for a carrier subsidy. You can also purchase an unlocked iPhone from the Apple Online Store or Apple Retail Store and obtain a micro-SIM card directly from your supported GSM carrier.

When I buy from the Apple Online Store, does my iPhone come ready to use?

Yes, if you have selected a mobile phone carrier. When your iPhone arrives, all you have to do is turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up. There's no need to call the carrier or visit a store to complete the activation. If you have selected an unlocked GSM phone, you will need to acquire a micro-SIM from the supported GSM carrier of your choice and activate it in order to use your iPhone.

Information in a footnote on both that page and the iPhone 4S tech specs page further suggests the iPhone 4S will be available unlocked:

For those who are not qualified customers, are not eligible for an early upgrade, are purchasing an unlocked iPhone (for supported GSM wireless service provider networks only), or wish to buy an iPhone as a gift, see your carrier, an Apple Retail Store Specialist, the Apple Online Store, or an Apple Authorized Reseller for pricing.

There's always the possibility that these snippets were mistakenly carried over from the iPhone 4's descriptors, but my fellow TUAW colleagues have long suspected that the iPhone 4S would be available unlocked just like the iPhone 4.

No official pricing info for unlocked iPhone 4S models is available yet, but the smart money is on "expensive as heck" -- the 8 GB iPhone 4, available for US$99 with a 2-year contract, costs $549 without a contract. Extrapolating from the iPhone 4's pricing suggests the following pricing scheme for unlocked models:

  • 16 GB iPhone 4S: $649 (the same as the unlocked 16 GB iPhone 4 from months back)
  • 32 GB iPhone 4S: $749 (again, same price as unlocked 32 GB iPhone 4 was)
  • 64 GB iPhone 4S: $849

We're not certain as of yet if unlocked iPhone 4S models will be available for pre-order on October 7th, but I'm betting they won't be; I think it's more likely that only carrier-locked models will be offered for pre-order, with unlocked models available on October 14 in-store and on Apple's site.

I'm unwilling to wait until December and pay the extortionate prices Apple charges in New Zealand, and I'm also not signing another two-year contract with my existing wireless provider just to get the inexcusably paltry "subsidies" they offer. Therefore, I know I'll be lining up (metaphorically speaking) for an unlocked US model -- how about you?



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O2 UK factory unlock for iphone 3gs/4 price -- 2000 inr

O2 UK factory unlock for iphone 4s price -- 4000 inr

3 UK, Vodafone UK, Orange UK, Tmobile UK, Sweden 3, Sweden Telia, Spain Movistar, Norway Telenor, NL Tmobile, Ireland O2, Ireland Vodafone, France Bouygues, France Orange, France SFR, Denmark 3, Denmark TDC, Denmark Telenor, Denmark Telia, Brazil Oi,

Australia-

3,Optus, telstra, Virgin,Vodafone

All the above iphones iperator will be factory unlocked.

Call me on +91 9833098597/9960844434

Mail id:- iphone.service11@gmail.com

Website:- http://appleservicemumbai.blogspot.com/

February 14 2012 at 10:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eddy Suwito

i dont think it will be avaiable soon the iphone 4s can only be unlocked by imei only and there is only 1 website can do this www.unlockiphone4siri.com

January 23 2012 at 10:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jack

Well, to be honest, if they release it or not, im unlocking and jailbreaking my iphone 4s anyway. Ive been unlocking and jaibreaking my ipones since i got the 2g, then the 3, the 4 and i will be doing the iphone 4s soon. If its from apple or not. If apple wont release it, im heading over to http://www.unlockingiphone4s.com and use my lifetime unlocks again lol.

October 31 2011 at 2:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tyreal2004

I'm planning to buy an iPhone4s in Korea and I'm planning to study in Korea for two years. I was thinking that If I were to get a two year contract in Korea and use it up I will be able to get another contract with AT&T when I comeback to the U.S. Do think this is possible? Or is it just my imagination?

October 12 2011 at 5:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lilia

ahh forgot to mention that you can not actually pre-order it... but at least we have a date!

October 12 2011 at 12:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lilia

Hi.. just log into apple.com and when I clicked pre-order it says, literally, choose your color, choose a model, choose a carrier, but at the bottom it says Or get iPhone unlocked and contract-free. Coming in November.....

So thats great!!!! Rates: USD 649 - 16GB ,USD 749 - 32GB, USD 849 - 64GB

October 12 2011 at 12:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
akinjxyz

Anything new about the unlocked iphone4s? I'm about to return my iphone4

October 12 2011 at 4:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tyreal2004

Ok. Somebody clear this up for me.

According to my aunt,who uses AT&T, says that I have to pay $30 monthly when I buy a smartphone (iPhone 4s). True or not?

And if that is true, if I were to buy an unlocked iPhone 4s right now, would I still have to pay the monthly fee?

October 11 2011 at 11:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Tyreal2004's comment
akinjxyz

No once you get the unlocked phone you are free of contract you can get a micro SIM from any provider and pay as you go.

October 12 2011 at 4:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
no mo

From the apple website:

"Or get iPhone unlocked and contract-free. Coming in November.

The unlocked iPhone works only on supported GSM networks, such as AT&T in the U.S. When you travel internationally, you can also use a micro-SIM card from a local GSM carrier. The unlocked iPhone 4 will not work with CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint."

So, actually, this is dual band iPhone is not a world phone at all, but a US phone. The unlocked version is the same one that is being sold in the rest of the world.

October 07 2011 at 8:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stephen

I am an American in Paris watching all this go down. I am still running with an original iPhone, but have been patiently waiting for the new iPhone all year. Frankly, I am not that impressed as I was hoping that for a "refresh", they could have made the iPhone '4S' thinner or increase the screen size...something! Instead of getting an unlocked 4S for my travel between Paris and LA, I would prefer to get an unlocked 32GB iPhone 4. I have yet to find any information on that phone...only the 8GB version?

The 32GB iPhone 4 factory-unlocked would be exactly what I need...and I think would be ideal for others that do not need the A5 powered 4S to have your phone speak to you, yet demand more than the now budget level 3GS or 8GB iphone 4.

Does anyone have any information on the new pricing and availability for getting a factory-unlocked 32GB iPhone 4...whether in the US or in France?

October 07 2011 at 1:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Stephen's comment
akinjxyz

You can order for the Iphone4 32GB directly from the apple store with no qualms, but its the same price with the 4s 32GB ($749) so why buy the old one?

October 10 2011 at 11:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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