(Image courtesy of TechCrunch Europe)
Some days, it just doesn’t pay to live in the United States. Take today, for instance, as Apple begins taking pre-orders for the iPhone 4 both here in the U.S. and in a handful of international locations, including the United Kingdom. While we’re SIM-locked to one carrier, the often-controversial AT&T, U.K. iPhone 4 buyers not only have plenty of choices for their carrier, they can even buy a totally unlocked, SIM-free handset, too.
TechCrunch Europe is reporting that, along with iPhone 4 pre-orders on Tuesday comes the good news that the new handset is also available totally unlocked and SIM-free, of course at a higher price.
“Apple today has announced the availability and pricing of its latest smartphone SIM-free (sans contract) for British iPhone-touting wannabes shy of signing on the dotted line,” TechCrunch Europe writes.
“It’s not going to be cheap though, with Apple’s shiny new toy starting from £499 for the 16GB and £599 for 32GB version, although both come ‘unlocked’, leaving you free to jump networks on a whim or stay price-savvy with the latest SIM-only or pre-pay deals,” the tech website explains.
Those prices translate to about $736.21 US for the 16GB model and a whopping $883.74 US for the 32GB model, but it’s nice to at least have the option at all, unlike us poor souls across the pond who seem to be eternally chained to AT&T.
It’s a bit early for U.K. buyers to completely jump for joy about this just yet, since not all of the five -- yes, five! -- carriers have played their hand as yet and revealed what their iPhone 4 tariffs will be (that whole story should play out today, however). Still, for the country-hopping European on the go, a SIM-free, unlocked iPhone should be just the ticket…
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jiubreyn
June 16, 2010 at 12:09am
When the original iPhone was launched, AT&T and Apple drafted an exclusivity clause until 2012. After then, I believe the iPhone will be open to any carrier. Not to mention, EU laws are very different from US laws. /boo
rufus28
June 15, 2010 at 8:11am
I was just looking at the Canadian Apple Store iPhone page and we can now purchase the 3GS for $549 no contract and unlocked...
Makes sense as we have three carriers for it, one can only hope the iPhone 4 will be sold the same way......I highly doubt it.
But this statement is interesting:
From Apple Store
"It’s easy to set up.
Get a compatible SIM (iPhone 3GS) or micro-SIM card (iPhone 4) and select a plan from the carrier of your choice. Then insert the card and set up your iPhone using iTunes on your Mac or PC. With a few clicks, you can start making calls"Hmmm.....
