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Apple Begins Sales of 'Unlocked' iPhones in US
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Published October 21, 2015
FILE - In this July 21, 2009 file photo, a customer displays an Apple iPhone 3GS at an Apple store in Palo Alto, Calif. Apple Inc. shares have hit another all-time high Tuesday, March 30, 2010, now that it appears the iPhone could find a new sales outlet through Verizon Wireless. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File) (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
The world's most popular smartphone now comes in a new flavor: unlocked.
Apple announced Tuesday the start of sales in its Apple Store of "unlocked" iPhones for the first time in the U.S. The new phones, which carry a premium price of as much as $749, allow owners to switch carriers -- to a limited extent.
A note on Apple's Store explains the benefit of the unlocked phones: "If you don’t want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone 4 is the best choice. It arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you’ll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide."
Apart from AT&T, the only national U.S. carrier that's compatible with the phone is T-Mobile USA, and it can provide only phone calls and low data speeds.
The new phones are identical to the version sold for use on AT&T's network, but don't require a two-year contract.
Many overseas carriers are compatible with the phone, so international travelers can switch out their U.S. SIM card with one from the local country to avoid AT&T's international roaming fees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/apple-begins-sales-of-unlocked-iphones-in-us