Apple to Begin Selling Unlocked iPhone 5 Models in U.S. as Soon as Later Today - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple to Begin Selling Unlocked iPhone 5 Models in U.S. as Soon as Later Today

iphone 5 black white9to5Mac reports that Apple is set to begin sales of unlocked iPhone 5 units to U.S. customers as soon as later today. Sales are said to begin in the company's online store, with retail stores currently receiving units ahead of an unspecified in-store launch date.

Apple will begin selling an unlocked version of its iPhone 5 through its online store as soon as 9 PM tonight, according to our retail sources. The unlocked iPhone 5 price range will likely be $649, $749, and $849 depending on a choice of either 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage.

While unlocked devices are the norm in many of Apple's markets, Apple typically restricts sales in the U.S. during an initial time period after launch to devices locked to specific carriers. For the iPhone 4S, it took less than one month for Apple to begin selling unlocked models to U.S. customers, but it has already been over two months since Apple began U.S. sales of the iPhone 5.

Apple is also said to be expanding its Personal Pickup program for the iPhone 5, allowing users to reserve a device at any time for pickup the following day rather than having to wait until 10:00 PM when the stores have closed for the day to place their reservations.

Tag: 9to5Mac
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....

Top Rated Comments

180 months ago
I don't care just give me itunes 11!

oh wait, people can't complain about that anymore. I wonder what people will whine about next
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
onthecouchagain Avatar
180 months ago
Apple to Begin Ripping You Off as Soon As Later Today.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rot'nApple Avatar
180 months ago
probly not a math major

Probably not an English major either... :rolleyes:
/
/
/
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xizdun Avatar
180 months ago
I've always wondered this, but why are unlocked or off contract smartphones more expensive than iPad/tablets?
You don't know?

Apple's iPhone twice as profitable per unit as iPad (http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/07/27/apples_iphone_twice_as_profitable_per_unit_than_ipad)

iPhones make :apple: 49-58% profit.
iPads make :apple: 23-32% profit.

While you might be paying $199 upfront for a contract iPhone, the carrier is paying the rest ($650 – $199 = $451) to Apple. In other words, you're indirectly paying Apple the remaining ~$451 over the course of the duration of your contract.

With an unlocked iPhone, Apple is looking to make the same amount of profit, thus charging the entire $650.

It's not exactly rocket science.

Contracts, at end of the day, especially in the USA, are absurdly expensive. Why the hell would I want to blow $100+ per month on a cell phone connection? Americans don't know any better. Mobile networks are MUCH cheaper outside of the USA.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WannaGoMac Avatar
180 months ago
I don't think some people realize how expensive it is to design, build, distribute and support such advanced devices. There's tons of costs that need to be covered that you don't *see*.

And executive bonuses to consider!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisTX Avatar
180 months ago
I've always wondered this, but why are unlocked or off contract smartphones more expensive than iPad/tablets?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)