• Unlocked SIM-free iPhone 5s Now Offered on Apple's Online Store in the U.S.

    by
    Anthony Bouchard
    Published on 2013-11-22 04:07 PM
    19 Comments Comments


    Apple’s iPhone 5s has been a highly popular handset since its launch in September. The iPhone 5s has been available with a contract to AT&T, T-mobile, Sprint, and Verizon customers and without a contract for T-mobile customers since its launch. Now with a new configuration available, consumers have another option for their holiday shopping this year.

    First spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple has apparently started selling the iPhone 5s in an unlocked and SIM-free form on Friday. The new configuration, which is now listed on Apple’s online store as a “SIM-free” model, allows the user to purchase a contract-free iPhone 5s and insert their own SIM card from their own GSM carrier. The button appears right next to the unlocked T-mobile version of the iPhone 5s.

    Notably, the SIM-free version of the iPhone 5s is available in all of the configurations you would expect: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB and in all of the colors. On the other hand, the shipping estimates for the unlocked iPhone 5s show 1-2 weeks, rather than 3-5 business days like the models that come with a contract.

    Unsubsidized pricing for the unlocked SIM-free iPhone 5s is as follows: $649 for the 16GB configuration, $749 for the 32GB configuration, and $849 for the 64GB configuration.

    Sources: Apple via 9to5Mac
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Unlocked SIM-free iPhone 5s Now Offered on Apple's Online Store in the U.S. started by Anthony Bouchard View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPhone,
    3. iOS,
    4. Apple,
    5. Software
    Comments 19 Comments
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2013-11-22, 04:13 PM
      We have been able to order a unlocked no contract iPhone 5S since the day they were released. I ordered one myself then. You just had to pick the t-mobile option. All they have done here it seems is change the wording a little on their site to match what is seen for a 5C or lower unlocked iPhone.
    1. Anthony Bouchard's Avatar
      Anthony Bouchard - 2013-11-22, 04:22 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Simon View Post
      We have been able to order a unlocked no contract iPhone 5S since the day they were released. I ordered one myself then. You just had to pick the t-mobile option. All they have done here it seems is change the wording a little on their site to match what is seen for a 5C or lower unlocked iPhone.
      Now we won't have an extra T-mobile SIM card laying around.
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2013-11-22, 04:28 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Anthony Bouchard View Post
      Now we won't have an extra T-mobile SIM card laying around.
      I kinda like having extra sims lying around
    1. mmaboi21's Avatar
      mmaboi21 - 2013-11-22, 05:12 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Simon View Post
      I kinda like having extra sims lying around
      Me too incase you run into activation issues when helping folks out.
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2013-11-22, 06:04 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by mmaboi21 View Post
      Me too incase you run into activation issues when helping folks out.
      Yup
    1. GrandMstrBud's Avatar
      GrandMstrBud - 2013-11-22, 06:27 PM
      I agree this has been like that since they launched. Nothing new here
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-11-22, 07:03 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Simon View Post
      I kinda like having extra sims lying around
      I have several Tmobile sims laying around simply for making sure my AT&T phone is unlocked when it is time to sell it. I have never had Tmobile but went to the local store and they game me a SIM so I could test.
    1. Amadomon's Avatar
      Amadomon - 2013-11-22, 09:36 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by slim.jim View Post
      I have several Tmobile sims laying around simply for making sure my AT&T phone is unlocked when it is time to sell it. I have never had Tmobile but went to the local store and they game me a SIM so I could test.
      How does that work? The sim isn't activated.
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2013-11-22, 10:23 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Amadomon View Post
      How does that work? The sim isn't activated.
      Doesn't have to be active.
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-11-22, 10:24 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Amadomon View Post
      How does that work? The sim isn't activated.
      It will still connect to tmobile. You just can't make a call. The carrier logo will show up and you will have signal bars. By law I believe they still have to allow you to be able to make calls to emergency numbers still.
    1. mag12's Avatar
      mag12 - 2013-11-23, 01:26 AM
      Isn't the Verizon iPhone 5s unlocked out if the box and can use AT&Ts lte?
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-11-23, 04:46 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by mag12 View Post
      Isn't the Verizon iPhone 5s unlocked out if the box and can use AT&Ts lte?
      It is but doesn't really matter unless you want to leave Verizon. Assuming you probably got it at a subsidized contract price you would have to pay fees to leave before your 2yrs are up.
    1. mag12's Avatar
      mag12 - 2013-11-23, 06:26 AM
      Well the benefit here is that you can use Verizon's lte or AT&Ts. The officially unlocked version from apple only can use gsm.
    1. docmagoo2's Avatar
      docmagoo2 - 2013-11-23, 11:46 AM
      What's really unfair is $849 for the 64gb 5s. This equates to £523 in the uk. The uk apple store sells the same model for £709....
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2013-11-23, 02:59 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by docmagoo2 View Post
      What's really unfair is $849 for the 64gb 5s. This equates to £523 in the uk. The uk apple store sells the same model for £709....
      That UK VAT sucks.
    1. docmagoo2's Avatar
      docmagoo2 - 2013-11-23, 06:01 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Simon View Post
      That UK VAT sucks.
      US doesnt have VAT? Wonder could I import?
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2013-11-23, 10:55 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by docmagoo2 View Post
      US doesnt have VAT? Wonder could I import?
      No VAT, they do have sales tax though. You could probably import it but would need a US shipping forwarder to send it to.
    1. King_O_Hill's Avatar
      King_O_Hill - 2013-11-23, 11:59 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by mag12 View Post
      Well the benefit here is that you can use Verizon's lte or AT&Ts. The officially unlocked version from apple only can use gsm.
      Why would you want to use AT&T's?

      Their coverage for LTE stinks. If you had both, you would also be paying for 2 data plans!!!
    1. GenesisDH's Avatar
      GenesisDH - 2013-11-25, 08:14 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by King_O_Hill View Post
      Why would you want to use AT&T's?

      Their coverage for LTE stinks. If you had both, you would also be paying for 2 data plans!!!
      I'm pretty sure it's more for resale and carrier churn reasons. Say Verizon's plans get too high for a customer to handle and goes to at&t postpaid (or even AIO, GoPhone or ST LTE BOYD). They don't have to buy a new device and still have the option to switch back if needed.

      He could also have a business-paid cellular plan that is at&t while his personal cell is Verizon. That would allow him to use one device for both lines (work SIM while on the clock, swap SIMs before leaving work and have his personal line active). I actually know a few people who have two phones and would prefer to consolidate like this.

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