An interesting post at an iPhone Forums indicate that it is possible to actually order an Unsubsidized iPhone 3GS (NOT unlocked) directly from Apple, which means no need to sign a contract- the best part of it being delivered at the doorstep as soon as 19th June! Obviously this will be just for US residents as usual. :p
This little flaw in Apple’s system has been confirmed to work by an Apple rep as well, which indicates Apple is not much willing to close the loophole.
Here’s the little step by step you can follow:
1. Get Firebug Add-on for Firefox.
2. After installed, open any Non-Apple product on the Apple online store, for example – the Incase Bag Pack.
3. Click on the little bug icon displayed in bottom bar of the Firefox browser and select Inspect.
4. Select the “Add To Cart” button.
5. Replace the product code just above the highlighted text (TW220ZM/A in the above example) with one of the below:
- iPhone 3G 8GB ($499): MB046LL/A
- iPhone 3GS 16GB Black ($599): MB715LL/A
- iPhone 3GS 16GB White ($599): MB716LL/A
- iPhone 3GS 32GB Black ($699): MB717LL/A
- iPhone 3GS 32GB White ($699): MB718LL/A
6. Click Add To Cart and you can proceed to order an iPhone 3GS without contract!
Thanks to the administrator at iTalkiPhone for the find.
iPhone / iPod touch downloads
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Ok so then what? As it’s not unlocked, you still have to go with ATT right? If you go to ATT , even if you don’t buy the phone from them, they will still make you sign the contract? Am I wrong about this?
Or, you could have called AT&T. That’s the full retail price for the phones, which means if you buy them that way, it’s without a contract. It’s no trick. You’re buying the full phone outright. Hell, you could do it on AT&T’s website, too. Great tip. Not.
@ Draven – That’s not the full retail price of the phones, those are the subsidized prices. Since they make much more money from the contract, they reduce the price significantly.
@ omakad – The iPhone Dev Team is working on an unlock for it (Ultrasnow may work).
PATCHED!
Here is what you do:
go to att, get a guy to help you out…
buy the new phone, sign a new contract (keep your current account)
but have the guy put the new phone on your old (your current phone #)
so now, your new phone number is connected to your old iphone while your old number is connected to your new phone.
You have 3 days to cancel a contract…. Go home and cancel the newly created contract. voila.. As you know dealing with any cell phone company is a hassle so you may have to have a few phone calls with them over the next 2 months to make sure it’s cancelled but you’ve saved a bundle and done nothing outside the contract!!
Nice tip I will try this as I need a new phone.
i want iphone 3gs for free please.
I want the iphone! I have had T-Mobile since 1999 and love them, but I really, really want an unlocked iphone. Please Apple sell unlocked iphones so everyone can own one. You will make a lot more money if you would just sell unlocked phones.
Ah T mobile in CA is renting from att. thats att service that T-Mobile uses. Thats why I laugh when people say they like T-Mobile service.There not big enough to have there own network nationwide. Verizon has old technology Sprint is trying but just cant make the jump. So ur best bet is to stick w/ a Co. thats willing to provide new technology to customers ATT is so advanve that Verizon is copyinf there 4G plans. thats when htings will get good