Where can I buy an unlocked iPhone 5 in the US?

Good luck, you'll need it. Only store in the US, I'm aware of, that has gotten any stock.

Sk8Dreams wrote:

How does that happen when one updates/restores via iTunes at home with no contact with Verizon?

You're still in the US, & thus the phone can be reactivated.

"You're still in the US, & thus the phone can be reactivated."

Sorry, I'm having trouble understand the difference between an unlocked phone bought from Apple for top dollar, and an unlocked phone from Verizon, also for top dollar. Since each is unlocked for international use, what's the difference? Also, Verizon has pledged not to ever lock the phones.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/24/verizon-our-iphone-5-sim-slot-will-never-be-car rier-locked/

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/09/24/verizon-leaving-iphone-5-sim-slots-unlocked- as-required-by-fcc-network-access-regulations/

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/verizon-iphone-5-being-sold-unlocked -allowing-used-012135302.html

Wouldn't a required activation via Verizon have the same effect as locking the phone? I've seen no mention of required activation after update or restore on an unlocked phone, anywhere. Not arguing with you, but would really like to understand if there is a hidden catch here.

Here's the deal. Verizon iPhones are forever locked to Verizon. The sim slot was designed solely for use while traveling Internationally, nothing more. The ONLY reason the sim slot in the iPhone 5 is "unlocked" out of the gate, is because the FCC has required Verizon provide this as a result of additional spectrum they obtained. Folks are mistaken if they think they're purchasing an "officially unlocked" iPhone. You're not. The phone itself is still locked to Verizon. If you think you're gonna be able to purchase these phones & completely bypass Verizon, you're gonna be in for a big surprise.

You want an officially unlocked iPhone? Then your only real choice is the officially unlocked GSM version.

I'm having trouble understand the difference between an unlocked phone bought from Apple for top dollar, and an unlocked phone from Verizon, also for top dollar. Since each is unlocked for international use, what's the difference?

In general, when people refer to "unlocked iPhones" in the US, they're referring to the GSM versions. Those come from Apple unlocked with no sort of activation with a US carrier required to use overseas. This makes it usable out of the box if someone wants to use the iPhone only with another country's carrier (though it may not be wise to buy a iPhone in a country other than the one in which the user lives).

The Verizon iPhone can have the GSM portion unlocked for use with carriers in other countries, but requires that you activate with Verizon before they will unlock the GSM portion. That often is impossible or at least impractical for users who do not live in the US.

That's the difference.

Regards.

so you are saying that Apple Store sells Officially Unlocked Iphone 5 that will work with any sim card?

They do, but such stock has not be released to the Apple stores, in the US, for the iPhone 5. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Apple's flagship store on 5th Ave, in New York City, gets officially unlocked iPhone 5's from time-to-time. These, however, sell out quickly. Folks stand in line for hours, before the store opens, hoping to nab one.

Think that when you activate a Verizon iPhone 5 in the US the phone is locked to Verizon'ss cdma network. However, the gsm side of the phone remains unlocked for use with a sim card from other carriers in or out of the US. Updating and restoring doesn't lock it.

wjosten wrote:

They do, but such stock has not be released to the Apple stores, in the US, for the iPhone 5. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Apple's flagship store on 5th Ave, in New York City, gets officially unlocked iPhone 5's from time-to-time. These, however, sell out quickly. Folks stand in line for hours, before the store opens, hoping to nab one.

I thought that Apple Store on 5th works 24/7

Apple does sell factory unlocked iPhone 5's, they have since day one. In the US you have two options, 1 is just buying the verizon model used or new since they all ship unlocked, option 2 just buy a LOCKED AT&T NO CONTRACT iPhone 5 at full cost, before turning it on out of the box pop out the AT&T sim card, insert a non AT&T sim card (like a T-Mobile nano sim you can pick up free at any corporate tmobile store) and simply activate the iPhone with that sim card, it will be factory unlocked, simple as that.

I've been using my iPhone 5 (AT&T) on T-Mobile since I picked it up september 22nd

you dont need to activate with verizon to use it unlocked, all you need is to connect it to itunes, it will activate, but you do not need to sign up for any service. just pop in your sim and your good. or just get a locked AT&T no contract iphone 5 from any apple store, just make sure you dont initially activate with the AT&T sim, just activate initially with a tmobile nano sim (free from all tmobile corporate stores) and it will be factory unlocked

verizons iphone 5 does not require activating service of any kind to be unlocked. they ship out of the box unlocked. AT&T no contract iphone 5's bought from an apple store also ship unlocked, just dont activate initially with an at&t sim and your good

Read this article and what it says about unlocking http://bit.ly/TZsEel

I just looked and apple store has the unlocked version for sale online. You can also chose to pick it up at an apple store next to you.