[Updated 10/13 3:37 PM PT] If you’re a world traveler that’s also an iPhone fan then you might want to considering picking up an iPhone 4S on Sprint or Verizon instead of AT&T. The iPhone 4S is SIM-locked on AT&T, while CDMA carriers Sprint and Verizon will allow customers to use foreign SIM cards. This allows globetrotters to enjoy cheaper data and voice rates in other countries. Here’s the deal from MacWorld’s Jason Snell:
There’s a new wrinkle that potentially makes the international-roaming experience better on Sprint and Verizon iPhones than it is on AT&T. Sprint plans to sell the iPhone 4S with its micro-SIM slot unlocked; Verizon’s will be initially locked, but if you’ve been a customer in good standing for 60 days, you can call Verizon and ask for an “international unlock.” (A Verizon spokesperson told me that this is Verizon’s standard policy for all world phones — it’s just the first time it’s manifested itself on an iPhone.)
As someone that enjoys hopping to different countries (you know, back when I had money), this makes the CDMA iPhone 4S models terribly appealing. When I travel, I always get a local SIM for those times you meet cute foreign chicks in a bar networking purposes. In the past, I’ve use an unlocked GSM phone for foreign use to ensure global compatibility and to not be annoyed by carrier bloatware that’s unnecessarily munching on data. A CDMA iPhone with an unlocked SIM slot sound perfect for world warriors (like Ryu).
The only downside is that the CDMA data rates on Sprint and Verizon iPhone 4S are much slower HSDPA rates on the AT&T model. For some people, domestic slowness is worth the international bliss.
Do any of you find the international capabilities of the Sprint and Verizon iPhone 4S appealing?
[Update 8:59AM PT] According to Engadget, the Sprint version will not have an unlocked SIM slot. A Sprint rep told the site:
Our SIM does not come out of the device — I believe the same is true of Verizon’s iPhone but you would need to confirm that with them. Customers can sign up for one of our international rate plans and use this phone all over the world. When traveling internationally, there is a setting that must be turned on within the device to connect to GSM. The phone will work with a SIM that is provided within the device out of the box. International voice and data charges are on a pay-as-you-go basis and vary based on the country where the customer is using their phone; a list of rates is available at www.sprint.com/international.
Well that sucks….
[Update 10/13 3:37 PM PT] Sprint released a statement saying that it will unlock the SIM slot for customers in good standing. The SIM slot is shipping unlocked, but will be locked by a future software update. If you’ve been paying your bill on time, Sprint will then unlock it…again. That seems incredibly stupid. Just leave the damn thing unlocked in the first place! Anyway, here’s a clip from the statement:
Sprint’s policy is to have the iPhone 4S SIM locked to our network domestically and internationally. At launch, the International SIM will be unlocked. We do expect a SIM lock to be pushed to the devices shortly after launch. We will then allow existing customers in good standing to unlock the SIM for international use if needed in the future.
Might be picking up an iPhone 4 later this week (as in on Friday). Verizon has them down to $199 right now, and now that GameStop is taking the iPod Touch as a trade in at $117 store credit (or 80% of that in cash), and I'm still using and LG flip-phone that's roughly 3 years old, it's time to upgrade methinks…..
Isn't 199 the regular price when ur renewing ur contract?
$99 when renewing with AT&T.
So… you trade in the Touch and drop $99 at AT&T and end up with an iPhone 4, an equal amount of video games (or even iTunes cards), plus an extra $17 value at Gamestop… that's not a bad deal.
The only oversight I can see is that AT&T will make you get the data plan which is an extra monthly charge. If you're on board with that anyway, than you made out well. Good lookin' out.
Or you pay like $4 for an iPhone 4.
Yeah, except AT&T's coverage is crap here where I live, and Verizon's is the best. So there's really no way that's happening if I actually want to use my iPhone as a phone.
The 4S is $199. The 4 is $99 on Friday I believe.
Gratz on graduating to a smartphone haha. No going back now!
Yeah, it was time. I'm sick of carrying multiple devices when I can have one that does both….mostly because I always carry my phone but forget my iPod and the music stations out here in the AZ are crap!
is that $117 for any size hdd on the ipod touch? whether it's 8gb or 64gb?
32G 4th Gen. But there's some cross over, like the 64G 3rd Gen is the same price, but the 32G 3rd Gen is something like $80. I don't exactly remember because it didn't relate to me.
So can you still switch out the sim cards with local cheaper cell phone companies when traveling or did I read what sprint said right; that they will provide you with a sim or activate the sim card already in the phone and you are billed as you go according to their international rates.
According to MacWorld, the Verizon model lets you use local SIM cards. The Sprint model does not….though the messaging keeps changing.
That's pretty lame!
Yes, but it's not surprising for an American carrier. The charges for international data and voice roaming are exorbitant. Of course AT&T and Sprint want you to use their international roaming instead of a local SIM card. Plus, it makes the unlocked iPhone 4S more valuable to certain users.
Updated with a quote from the Sprint press release. The SIM slot ships unlocked, but will be locked by software…but you can request it to be unlocked. Oy.
right now im a little behind on the cell phone market lol. i just got a iphone 3gs, thanks to a clerical error on at&t's part ^_^