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Unsubsidized iPhone 3G Still Locked

Wednesday July 2, 2008 1:50 am PDT by Arnold Kim
AT&T confirmed another tidbit that many assumed true, but again it's nice to hear the official word. Despite suggestions that the unsubsidized iPhone 3G ($599, $699) would be "decoupled" from AT&T, a spokesperson has confirmed that the unsubsidized iPhone 3G will still be locked to AT&T.

But both contract and contract-free phones will be "locked" to work only on AT&T's network, and the monthly service plans available will be the same, said AT&T spokesman Michael Coe.

This means U.S. customers who wish to unlock their iPhone 3G will have to wait for a publicly available solution.

As has been stated before, the iPhone 3G will be unable to use T-Mobile's 3G data network, so the only practical reason for unlocking of the iPhone 3G in the U.S. is for international travel.
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Zwhaler
Posted: 47 months ago
Let's just hope these can be jailbroken. But even if so, it would be much more worth it to use a first gen iPhone on a non-AT&T network.
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Niiro13
Posted: 47 months ago
Yay for more official statements.
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MacinJosh
Posted: 47 months ago
I wonder if this is the same for UK's and Italy's unsubsidized iPhones.

Joshua.
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yyy
Posted: 47 months ago
Can anybody confirm whether it'll be possible for non-American citizens to buy an unlocked iPhone?
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deckwalker
Posted: 47 months ago
Why the heck do they insist on locking a phone even if it's unsubsidised? If I pay full price, shouldn't I get to do what I want with the phone?

I travel all the time and carry with me sim cards for four or five countries. I love being able to just drop in a new local sim wherever I arrive. We live in a globalised world - does AT&T not get that, or do they just get it too well and want to make a pile of money off of people who travel.

I hope someone finds an unlock soon. I won't buy the 3G until they do. Until then I'll be very happy with my unlocked 1st gen.
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avigalante
Posted: 47 months ago
I wouldn't have expected otherwise.

$599/$699 is MSRP set by Apple for a "non-contract" phone, not an "unlocked" phone.
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Steve Jobs=God
Posted: 47 months ago

I wonder if this is the same for UK's and Italy's unsubsidized iPhones.

Joshua.


Are the UK going to have unsubsidized iPhones? i've not heard anything about that yet
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tiiim
Posted: 47 months ago

Are the UK going to have unsubsidized iPhones? i've not heard anything about that yet



o2 in UK will have a pay and go phone with means its not on contract. Exact pricing is still to be confirmed.
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Chupa Chupa
Posted: 47 months ago

Can anybody confirm whether it'll be possible for non-American citizens to buy an unlocked iPhone?


I don't see why that would be a barrier. I know with the regular ATT GO Phones you just plop down your CC. No questioned asked. I'm guessing they are going to care more about how many a person buys vs who is buying them.
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michaelsviews
Posted: 47 months ago
What cracks me up is the pricing , they say it costs like 150 to 175 to build an iPhone 3G but than the price of the phone unsubsidized is out ragios
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