Unlocked version of Apple iPhone 4 now available for $ 649

In a surprising move of sorts, one that would surely make few heads turn, Apple has started selling the unlocked model of its celebrated mobile iPhone 4. Now, the 16 GB model will be available for $ 649, while the 32 GB version will sell $ 749 in the US Apple online store, without any mobile service provider partiality. One can have both the versions in both the colors, i.e black & white. The shipping time for the black version lies between one to three days, while the white colored phone will be delivered to you in three to five days.

GSM iPhone 4 in US

An unlocked version offers the freedom of selecting any Apple supported mobile service provider. It also essentially means that now you don’t have to stick to a single service provider like AT&T over a period of two years, which is the norm with regular iPhones. Going by the product description, you will need an active micro-SIM card of a supported wireless carrier for activating these phones. However, there is some bad news for iPad lovers. Their 3G micro-SIM cards are not compatible with these unlocked versions.

Other than this little heart break, the phones are equipped with all the features of a regular iPhone. A consumer in United States has the option of choosing from AT&T and T Mobile. This would have been a liitle hard on AT&T since they were enjoying exclusivity on the iPhone for the past three long years, until when the 4th generation of the phone was made available on Verizon network in February. It may also be noted that the iPhone will run only on the T-mobile network’s relatively slower and outdated EDGE protocol since it’s 3G network is not yet supported by these phones.

The unlocked iPhone will have all the standard accessories like Apple earphones with remote and mic, dock connector to USB cable, USB power adapter, documentation, and a SIM eject tool. The iPhone 4 is undoubtedly a path breaking phone, which has quickly climbed up the sales ladder to become Apple’s bestselling iPhone. Sales have grown exponentially to the tune of 113 percent year over year in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, reaching a record high of 18.65 million units. As per the COO of Apple Inc. Mr. Tim Cook, iPhone sales were "off the charts in the U.S" , registering 155 percent year over year growth, boosted in part by the addition of the Verizon iPhone 4. The latest unlocking is expected to boost sales further.

Via: AppleInsider