[JustMe'D]

[Gregory Ryan]

[Url=https://www.instapaper.com/m?u=http%3A%2F%2Fappleinsider.com%2Farticles%2F12% 2F11%2F04%2Falleged-factory-unlocked-iphone-5-prices-appear-on-apples-website]Alleged factory unlocked iPhone 5 prices appear on Apple’s website[/url]

Looks like you can unlock any full priced AT&T iPhone 5 purchased from Apple. I'll definitely be taking advantage of unlocking my iPhone when I get one hopefully later this year. When T-Mobile in Orlando turns on their iPhone compatible 3G network I might look into getting there $50 unlimited plan. Does anyone know if there is way to see when TMo might be flipping the required switch?

[JustMe'D]

I can't answer your question with certainty, but go to see coverage maps for the 4 major U.S. carriers.

[Xm_jdm]

I got tired of waiting for the factory unlocked. I use T-Mobile. I ended up buying a full priced ATT version (32GB) and bought a factory unlock on eBay for 5 bucks. I am a happy camper.

[SeanHRCC]

Looks like you can unlock any full priced AT&T iPhone 5 purchased from Apple. I'll definitely be taking advantage of unlocking my iPhone when I get one hopefully later this year. When T-Mobile in Orlando turns on their iPhone compatible 3G network I might look into getting there $50 unlimited plan. Does anyone know if there is way to see when TMo might be flipping the required switch?

Though you can technically use an unlocked iPhone (from the carrier) the same as you would a factory unlocked model from Apple...the two are not the same.

[david9962000]

Though you can technically use an unlocked iPhone (from the carrier) the same as you would a factory unlocked model from Apple...the two are not the same.

What's the difference? Thanks.

[Xm_jdm]

Different bands. The AT&T version is the best option for those wanting to use on tmobile and take advantage of their refarm. I get 3G on my unlocked AT&T version with tmobile and it will be able to take advantage of their even faster network...whenever they get around to doing that.

[SeanHRCC]

It's really just a technicality thing, it has to do with the list of phones Apple sells that come from the factory that are not in a carrier locked state, essentially, the difference is the carrier locked phones are issued to that carrier and locked to their SIM (or IMEI number really). When it is removed, the phones (as far as function goes) are identical, but there is still a chance that the phone retains some pieces that identify it as a once carrier locked phone (and some people have reported that at times, the post purchase unlocked phones can revert back to being carrier locked for whatever reason...reset, restore, etc etc etc).

One of the major difference is if you ever have warranty work done (where a replacement is required), make sure Apple knows your phone is unlocked before they take it back (if you've done an IMEI unlock online or something), otherwise they'll replace your phone with another carrier LOCKED version and you'll have to go through the process again (and pay again)...this happened to my friend who used the eBay method many of us used when the iPhone 5 came out, he had Apple Care + and he dropped his and had it replaced, but when he got the new one, it was simply an AT&T carrier locked version (since that is what he initially bought), he had to drop a few bucks again to have it unlocked (which isn't a huge deal but might be for somebody).

There was also the major difference between software unlocked phones vs. factory unlocked phones...but that has to do with jailbreaking and what not (which is a whole other story and not really applicable here). In that case, there is a MASSIVE difference between the two, but that discussion is for another time.

In the end, there's no big difference, it's mainly just in the background details is all, and shouldn't affect functionality.