Unlocked iPhone 4S Will Only Work on GSM Carriers

No

Is there any legitimate technical issue that prevents the unlocked phones from working on Verizon and Sprint? Or is apple just being a dbag?

More than likely it is Verizon that is the dbag here.

seems like alot of people are preordering it out of sympathy for Mr. Jobs
Apple must be really happy.

From what I understand, using CDMA isn't as simple as GSM in that you can't just switch networks by changing the sim card.

I'm thinking of getting a 4S, and if I did I would definitely get the unlocked version. For how often I use a cell phone, any of the contracts would end up costing much more after two years than just buying the phone and getting a pay-as-you-go plan.

@soccerdocs: GSM vs. CDMA. Different systems. GSM was designed from the beginning for interoperability. Not so CDMA.

Funny, I can set which GSM bands are used on my G1 and G2...hard to believe the 4S lacks that capability.

The "excessive prices" are the *real* prices for the iPhone; normally, the up-front cost is subsidized by your two-year contract with the carrier.

It is *totally reasonable* for these prices to be in par with an iPad, IMO. Miniaturization is expensive, and the iPhone is a computer that fits in your *pocket*.

Apple is just being a dbag. Another example of wonderful, free, market driven capitalism. So much for the Beatles, hippies and real freedom.

I was going to get one..
However, between the 200 dollar difference, CDMA restrictions and 1 month delay, and the fact that I have an unlocked 3Gs already, I decided to go with the locked version.

the top one is $850. I built a computer with monitor, good keyboard, and laser mouse for less than that. ouch!

@NoSoapRadio Both chipsets are in the phone. Apple is just bowing to att demands. The best deal would be to be able to use it domestically on verizon or sprint or whoever you want, and then with whoever you want while travelling too. Their new restrictions make me hate them. Isn't capitalism wonderful. I think att should be broken up into ten companies.

I wouldn't care... the rest of the world is still on GSM

GSM phones are used in most parts of the world, where many people own their own unlocked phones and change service providers at will. GSM phones store information on removable SIM cards, which are interchangeable with other GSM phones. AT&T and T-Mobile operate on GSM networks. A GSM phone must be unlocked in order to switch SIM cards between different service providers. The phone can be purchased unlocked, but if it is locked to a specific provider, it can be unlocked by entering the correct code. The iphone usually sold by Apple is a GSM phone locked to AT&T service, which is typical practice when purchasing a phone directly from a service provider.. Service providers like Verizon, Sprint etc operate on the CDMA network. It is standard practice for CDMA service providers to sell phones directly to their customers, and those phones are locked to that provider and typically cannot be interchanged between providers.

Nexus Prime ftw. The Iphone has ran its course its done.

then you have a sub par system, my graphics card and power supply cost that alone.

SGS 2 might be better than Nexus Prime... the latter is not released yet




Will you already STFU about your system? I could also drop $4000 on my PC, but $1500 was enough to max out all my games. I love PC gaming, but there's no point in an overkill system like yours (although I've seen some pics of your setup and I like the looks of it) and even LESS point in boasting about it.

Honestly, what does this phone offer to justify the high price range? Possibly it's the brand name?

Honestly, what does this phone offer to justify the high price range? Possibly it's the brand name?

I don't get this whole micro-SIM thing... is a regular SIM outdated? AFAIK, in a whole bunch of countries one can easily get a SIM card, not so easily micro-SIM, unless you are willing to do some cutting yourself. Then good luck fitting that in another phone...

Because when activating the phone on Sprint & Verizon, we have to scan the Hex/Dec codes unique to that phone.

Sprint & Verizon also don't deal with a lot of issues that arise from unlocked phones -- such as if the phone is stolen, Sprint & Verizon can brick the phone forever, making it useless and never again being able to activate. GSM phones that are unlocked can simply have a new SIM card inserted, and there you go - activated phone.

Sprint & Verizon also don't have to worry about people signing a 2 year contract, getting the phone for discount, and then running away with the phone for the discounted price - they ever attempt to screw either of us over, we brick there phone, making it useless.


Sprint & Verizon only do phones that are locked to their specific carrier.

You might be wrong on the unlock thing. I remember that there where a couple of phone companies over seas that would lock the phone, and brick it if stolen. In this case the equipment protection came from the store you bought the device at.

The phone I have now can be tracked from the manufacturers web sight, and from there I can lock it, format it, or ring it.

If the phone is unlocked, then it's not tied to a specific carrier, and no carrier has the "Right" to brick the phone.


Yeah, you can do it remotely, but realistically how many people would do that? The general population can barely handle not peeing on themselves, let alone tracking their phone and locking it down.

I actually like the way Sprint & Verizon control the phones -- people do some shady stuff, I see it all the time. Insurance fraud is the funniest of them all - thinkin' that since they paid a $100 deductible, that it entitles them to two working phones. Pfft.

[citation][nom]they ever attempt to screw either of us over, we brick there phone, making it useless.[/citation]

What if I just root the phone?

[/citation]What if I just root the phone?[/citation]


The Hex is flagged and can never be activated again. Unless you plan on stealing a new and legit Hex, and also programming the phone to that specific Hex, then you're not going to be able to.


Then again, if you're willing to go to those lengths....then yeah.

The Hex is flagged and can never be activated again. Unless you plan on stealing a new and legit Hex, and also programming the phone to that specific Hex, then you're not going to be able to.


Then again, if you're willing to go to those lengths....then yeah.

I don't need to activate anything. I just wanna get a $200 phone that costs $700 unlocked and use it with a carrier of choice, perhaps in a different country xD

Too bad they only sell unlocked phones here

ATT is the T-1000 of the telecom world, they were broken up but over time they just reabsorbed their old companies are are back to where they were pre-breakup.

No. Unlocked or not.

Ooh, yeah. Ouch. Now tell me, is that computer portable?

You should rephrase that question. Portable literally means able to be moved. You of course mean able to be moved with ease and in a few seconds of time.


Desktops are portable, and can easily be moved -- It's just time consuming.


Personally, just sign the damn 2 year contract, and use the phone internationally when you need to. People and their tin foil hats regarding contracts is so annoying -- honestly, they're giving you a large discount off the retail price, and in return you agree to pay your bill every month for 2 years. Honestly, you can't even have a job without a phone these days, so are you REALLY ever going to go without a phone for a month or more? No, no you won't.

Wow that is a 200% markup!!

iPhones only cost around $200 to manufacture