Apple Stores reportedly offer no-contract iPhones
updated 03:00 am EDT, Fri March 27, 2009
Apple: no-contract iPhones
Some US Apple retail stores have reportedly begun selling iPhone 3Gs without a contract. AppleInsider reports the 8GB model is available for $599 and the 16GB for $699, the standard retail price without AT&T subsidies.
The iPhones are still locked to AT&T service, but third-party unlocking tools could theoretically allow the phones to work with other GSM carriers including T-Mobile and Metro PCS. However, those networks do not support the higher 3G data speeds offered by AT&T.
Thursday's news comes on the same day AT&T planned to start selling iPhones without a contract to existing iPhone users, with a one-per-customer limit. According to AI, Apple retail stores have no such restrictions. The new policy could be an attempt to sell off the remaining inventory of the current iPhone 3G model to make room for a new version. There is no word whether all U-S Apple Stores are selling the contract-free models or if the supply is limited to a few stores.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 1999
WTF
How come plenty of other countries have unlocked iPhones for sale, but we're stuck paying the full price for a "no-contract" phone that you still need a contract with AT&T to use? Sure, it's a rhetorical question, answered by our total lack of consumer protection regulations in the US. But seriously, why wouldn't someone instead get a regular contract and just pay the early termination fee if they need to get out of it at some point? It'll still come out cheaper... Am I missing something? Are there some special cheap rates available for no-contract phones? What's the point?