Unlocked iPhone Pricing In Various Contries

[Thomasjtsi]

Looks as though this years Unlocked iPhone 5 models are very close in price point to last years iPhone 4S Unlocked models. Unfortunately though, we don't know yet when Apple will be offering these Unlocked models for sale to the public. Who's waiting to get theirs Factory Unlocked?!?
Source: iPhone Hacks

 

[Gregoris]

actually in the uk the factory unlocked models go on sale the same day as the locked ones and the one I pre ordered from apple wont be locked to any network

 

[Thomasjtsi]

actually in the uk the factory unlocked models go on sale the same day as the locked ones and the one I pre ordered from apple wont be locked to any network

Yes... after some conversation w/ another member tonight this has been brought to my attention. It's the same way in Canada as well. I guess... they don't like offering the US customers Unlocked versions right off for some reason. Ugh!!!

 

[thewitt]

Yes... after some conversation w/ another member tonight this has been brought to my attention. It's the same way in Canada as well. I guess... they don't like offering the US customers Unlocked versions right off for some reason. Ugh!!!

Apple requires their carrier partners to sell a certain number of phones in order to become partners. These partners in turn get exclusive sales rights for the first few weeks of any new iPhone release.

It's been this way since the beginning. Not likely to change any time soon.

 

[Thomasjtsi]

Apple requires their carrier partners to sell a certain number of phones in order to become partners. These partners in turn get exclusive sales rights for the first few weeks of any new iPhone release. It's been this way since the beginning. Not likely to change any time soon.

Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the insight witt!!