Apple selling unlocked iPhone

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You can now buy the unlocked iPhone directly from Apple, although it will cost more.



  • http://twitter.com/_windrider Peter Emery

    Been able to do that for years in Australia. Why has it taken so long to be available for you folk?

    • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

      Carriers.

    • http://twitter.com/pdjudd Paul Judd

      Demand for unlocked devices tends to be low IME. Namely the prices (since they are not subsidized) tend to turn people in the US away from buying them.

    • http://sharonsharalike.com/ Sharon Sharalike

      It’s been available in the US too. Last year I bought my 4S that way. It’s only the 5 that has until now been not available unlocked.

  • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

    Ouch! That’s pricey!

    • Jim H

      Pricey? That was the expected price. Nothing unusual here. When you typed “pricey” I thought something had changed.

      • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

        I didn’t realize how big of a deal the unlocked Nexus 4 at $299 was until I saw this price. I forgot how expensive these are as I have never paid for an unlocked one.

        I could get 2 Nexus 10′s or iPad Mini’s for close to this price.

  • http://twitter.com/ErikVeland Erik Veland

    Excluding any sales taxes, that’s $77 less than Australia. Thanks a lot Apple!

  • Red

    Unlocked less useful in US than in other countries due to different network technologies. In UK I buy unlocked from Apple so I can use ANY of our 4 networks, as SIM only plans are common.

  • http://www.smiley-dread.com kiil

    It doesn’t cost more — it is just not subsidized. A distinction I find to be very important. Either case the user is going to pay.

    Here in Germany, I have always brought unlocked or as it was known as earlier “unbranded” cellphones. I truly believe that the subsidaztion of cellphones are part of why the carriers are so evil.

  • http://twitter.com/unknwntrr Wenzel Massag

    I bought my iPhone directly from Apple, without contract. In 2011.