No-commit, no-contract iPhone 3G S?

Will the iPhone 3G S be sold without a contract?

Could someone share what they know about this, the more details the better 🙂

iPhone 3G S, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 11, 2009 6:09 PM

37 replies

Jun 11, 2009 8:11 PM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

So if I buy iPhone 3GS next week with no contract, can I use it with other 3G company like t-mobile or Verizon?

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jun 11, 2009 8:16 PM in response to Janchai Montrelerdrasme

So if I buy iPhone 3GS next week with no contract, can I use it with other 3G company like t-mobile or Verizon?

No, as stated several times in this thread already, all iPhones are carrier locked to AT&T, contract or no contact. They can't be used with any other carrier or in any other country. Aside from this, current iPhones can't be used with Verizon which uses a different (CDMA) cell technology.

Jun 11, 2009 8:16 PM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

If you buy the iPhone without a contract or commitment it costs $599/$699 and you do not need to have a contract with it but it is still locked to AT&T and can not be used with any carrier without being unlocked.

This is about the only thing I understand, I need help understanding everything else 🙂

teach5

Level 1

111 points

Jun 11, 2009 8:21 PM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

My contract is up with AT&T, and I have ordered a 3Gs. I called and asked Apple about buying the phone without the two year contract. They told me that I could not do that if you are a first time buyer, you have to sign a contract and if you are existing you can renew a contract, or pay higher for the phone since you are already within contract. This is what I was told by Apple, because they are tied to AT&T. The contract seems to be unavoidable.

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jun 11, 2009 8:25 PM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

If you are simply replacing your iPhone 3G with a full price 3G S, and you are already included in the family plan, it should not have any effect on your family's contract. However, it's not clear that they will allow you to buy the phone at all.

The only way to get this answered for sure is to CALL AT&T AND ASK THEM!!. No one here can speak authoritatively for AT&T.

Message was edited by: modular747

Jun 11, 2009 8:34 PM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

AT&T customer service is a disgrace, and Apple's is not far behind. I have called a dozen times and been told different things each time. One guy even laughed when I told him I was under 18 and asked me what I was doing with an iPhone 3G in the first place, I should spend my money on an Elmo....

Some representatives have told me I will be able to buy an iPhone 3G S without a contract or commitment no problem on Friday morning as long as they are available after pre-orders.

Some told me AT&T doesn't offer a no-commit, no-contract price on the iPhone 3G S, which contradicts the website....

Some straight up told me they have no idea and that I should call AT&T when I was on the phone with Apple, or call Apple if I was on the phone with AT&T.

Jun 11, 2009 9:22 PM in response to Allan Sampson

here then is the $64,000 can i take the sim card out of my 3G and put it in the 3GS
and go from there? with out adding to my original contract on the 3G

Jun 11, 2009 9:29 PM in response to Alan Abentrod

If you purchase the iPhone 3GS at AT&T's new subscriber or existing subscriber discounted price - $199 (16GB) $299 (32GB), or at the early upgrade price - $399 (16GB) $499 (32GB), a new two year contract is required when the iPhone is activated.

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Jun 12, 2009 4:36 AM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

Why do you want to spend $600 plus tax on the phone? Are your parents okay with this?

Jun 12, 2009 9:19 AM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

I wonder if you could purchase an iPhone 3GS on a regular plan then just cancel a few months later and pay the ETF. Assumuing it's the usual $275, that would be a new iPhone for $100+ less than buying it with no contract...?

Jun 12, 2009 9:53 AM in response to Xian Rinpoche

Sure you can, but your phone number will be lost in the process.

Following this by switching to a pay-as-you-go option will require getting a new phone number, which may not be important to everyone, but it is important to some.

Jun 15, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Geetanjali Shivdasani

What if I unlocked iPhone 3GS, that means I can use it with other carrier right?

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jun 15, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Janchai Montrelerdrasme

Only if you are in a location where official unlocking is available.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937

There are places that claim to do illegal unlocking, but if you try to later update the firmware, the phone either gets relocked to the original carrier/county or gets permanently bricked.

Jun 16, 2009 10:52 PM in response to modular747

My plan is to ask my uncle in Hong Kong to buy an iPhone 3GS for me. Then I will use it in the States with T-mobile. Is that possible?

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Jun 16, 2009 11:13 PM in response to Janchai Montrelerdrasme

Yes, if is an officially unlocked model it can be used with T-Mobile. The dowside is that the warranty is provided in Hong Kong.

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No-commit, no-contract iPhone 3G S?