Apple has started selling an unlocked version of their iPhone 5 smartphone on their company website for the first time. This means if you purchase the phone, it will be without a specific network carrier.
Apple has previously released unlocked versions of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 in the past, both of which can still be purchased online. The company held true to their word when they said in September that they would be releasing an unlocked version of the phone but not for another couple months after it had been on the market through Verizon and Sprint providers already.
Apple urges customers to do their homework before purchasing the phone, because it won't work with specific cellphone providers. The new unlocked phone will only work with supported GSM networks according to The Washington Post, and won't work with through Sprint or Verizon. T-Mobile doesn't currently sell the iPhone 5.
"The unlocked iPhone only works on supported GSM networks, such as AT&T in the U.S.," Apple says on the Apple Store website. "When you travel internationally, you can also use a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5 from a local GSM carrier. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint."
T-Mobile has expressed interest in selling the iPhone 5 recently as the phone has been the top-selling smartphone for the past two months. Company CEO Jim Alling said in a press release that they are waiting for "the economies to be right for us" before they consider it anymore.
T-Mobile may have to wait for the next iPhone if that is the strategy they're going to take since rumors have circulated around the web that an iPhone 5S could be in production as early as next month.
The phone wouldn't be on sale until probably towards the end of winter if those reports are correct, but most iPhone 5 users will probably be annoyed considering most have spent a lot of money on the current iPhone to make sure they have the latest device.
You can purchase the 16GB unlocked iPhone 5 on the Apple store for $649. The 32GB iPhone will cost users $749 and the 64GB version is going for $849.
Check out the Apple store link here for more information on the unlocked devices.
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