Over the weekend, 9 to 5 Mac reported that Apple retail stores are now able to unlock any AT&T iPhone 4 purchased at the unsubsidized "no commitment" prices of $649/$749, offering Apple retail stores the ability to sell unlocked iPhones even if they have run out of the models specifically set aside for sale as unlocked devices. Apple began selling unlocked iPhone 4s in the United States for the first time earlier this month.

apple iphone 4 unlocked training
But according to a document claimed to be from internal Apple sales training for the release of unlocked iPhone 4s and sent to MacRumors, the move is actually a broader one: All AT&T iPhone 4s sold at the no commitment pricing now automatically come unlocked, even if sold with an AT&T micro-SIM.

There are two ways customers can buy an unlocked iPhone 4 at the Apple Store.

1. Buy an unlocked iPhone without a micro-SIM card inside for $649 (16GB) or $749 (32GB). Here are the new part numbers:

- MC603LL/A iPhone 4 Black 16GB
- MC604LL/A iPhone 4 White 16GB
- MC605LL/A iPhone 4 Black 32GB
- MC606LL/A iPhone 4 White 32GB

This is the best option for a customer who will not be using AT&T.

These customers will need to contact their GSM carrier of choice to obtain a micro-SIM card and wireless service. Do not hand out micro-SIM cards to customers purchasing iPhone 4 without a micro- SIM card.

2. Buy any iPhone 4 with an AT&T micro-SIM card inside at full price. These models will also be unlocked whether the customer signs up for an AT&T service plan or chooses the Device Only purchase option.

Note: All devices sold at the unsubsidized prices of $649 and $749 will be unlocked and can be activated and used on supported GSM carrier networks.

The remainder of the 18-page document covers such topics as the use of a "floater" micro-SIM to activate unlocked iPhones and provide Personal Setup for customers buying devices without an AT&T service plan, purchase limits (five per transaction), exchange processes, and the use of queue cards to manage distribution if customer demand exceeds supply.

Top Rated Comments

Ted13 Avatar
178 months ago
Hopefully this will pave the way for out of contract phones to be unlocked.....

I'm out of contract now - fingers crossed something happens soon.... :rolleyes:

Seriously -- out of contract iPhones need to be unlocked. Also, unlocked, full price iPhone 5 from day 1, instead of 10 months after the release, please!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justinfreid Avatar
178 months ago
This is fair. Any no commitment phone should be unlocked.
Apple's exclusive relationship with ATT ended with the introduction of the iPhone on Verizon.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Diode Avatar
178 months ago
Hopefully this will pave the way for out of contract phones to be unlocked.....

I'm out of contract now - fingers crossed something happens soon.... :rolleyes:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Le Big Mac Avatar
178 months ago
I would be willing to pay for no commitment pricing if AT&T would, in turn, discount my monthly bill by the amount of the implicit subsidy over the course of a two-year contract.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
owine Avatar
178 months ago
I wonder if this means my no commitment iPhone 4 purchased at launch can now be unlocked. Hello resale value!
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
ios 18 4 ambient music

iOS 18.4 Adds New Ambient Music Feature

Friday February 21, 2025 11:06 am PST by
In iOS 18.4, there's a new Ambient Music option that can be added to Control Center. There are four different sound categories, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each category can be added to Control Center separately, and tapping one plays a random selection of sounds or music from that particular category. You can't choose what's playing from Control Center, but if...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

Friday February 21, 2025 8:01 am PST by
Apple has confirmed that its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e has nothing to do with the device's lack of MagSafe support, according to Macworld. Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, there was some speculation online about how MagSafe magnets might have interfered with the C1 modem's cellular connectivity performance, and this was considered to be a potential reason for the...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
oppo find n5 fingers

World's Thinnest Foldable Phone Launches in Europe and Asia

Thursday February 20, 2025 8:55 am PST by
Oppo has launched the Find N5, the world's thinnest foldable phone yet. When closed, the book-style foldable measures 8.93mm. That's less than a millimeter thicker than an iPhone 16 Pro, and thinner than the Honor Magic V3, which was the previous record holder. The device is barely thicker than its USB-C port. Indeed, Oppo has suggested that the obstacle to making it any thinner is now "the...