Apple quietly began selling the iPhone 5 unlocked and without a contract last night, making the popular phone available to customers who do not wish to sign a two-year agreement or pay full price and still be tied to a carrier. Smartphone buyers in the U.S. can now visit Apple.com to purchase an unlocked 16GB iPhone 5 for $649, a 32GB model for $749, or a 64GB model for $849.
The unlocked iPhone 5 is designed to work only on GSM networks like AT&T or T-Mobile in the U.S; it is not compatible with Sprint nor Verizon. While that may disappoint some consumers, purchasing an unlocked iPhone 5 will allow travelers to insert the nano SIM of a foreign operator and immediately receive service. Anyone looking to use the device on T-Mobile should contact their local store for information on how to obtain a nano SIM that is compatible with the iPhone 5.
