Is the Sprint iPhone 4s unlocked for international use?

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rdst_1

rdst_1

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1) Guys I am getting a good deal on a Sprint 4s that was purchased before 11/11. The general consensus on the net seems that those phones that were bought before 11/11/11 from Sprint have their GSM slot unlocked for international use and have remained so even after they have started locking it on newer devices. Is this information true and will I be able to use 3g services on my Docomo account on these phones.

Also is there a chance that upgrading iOS version of these devices result in the phone getting locked.

2) I am an android guy and am not frequent on iPhone forums, but it seems that jailbreak and consequently carrier unlock is going to be announced for the 4s in some time. How.much time do you guys reckon before AT&T phones could be unlocked.

Sent from a Galaxy in the S2 system
 
The phones bought before that date were supposed to be SIM unlocked but the next OS update have locked their SIM card slot.

And carrier unlock is only available for 3GS and IP4 with old baseband 1.59, for all other basebands and iOS4 unlock was only possible via a Gevey SIM.

For IP4S a jailbreak might come soon, but I have not seen any news about a carrier unlock.
 
Sanav3 said:
The phones bought before that date were supposed to be SIM unlocked but the next OS update have locked their SIM card slot.
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So if we don't upgrade the IOS version the phone should remain SIM unlocked,right.

Also are you sure upgrading the iOS will result in a SIM lock. People on Sprintfeed seem to have other opinions.

Sent from a Galaxy in the S2 system
 
Since the jailbreak for iPhone 4s is soon to be released, how long do you guys think would it take for a carrier unlock to be released. Getting a good deal on an AT&T 4S but wouldn't wanna wait for eternity for the unlock to come out.
 
rdst_1 said:
Since the jailbreak for iPhone 4s is soon to be released, how long do you guys think would it take for a carrier unlock to be released. Getting a good deal on an AT&T 4S but wouldn't wanna wait for eternity for the unlock to come out.
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I am guessing the iPhone 4S too seems to be on your list
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Btw although this is only my personal opinion, i would any day choose an android over the iPhone. My wife uses iPhone and she is very happy with it because of the simplicity and fluid UI but i do not like the close nature of the phone and doing even simple things like transferring music or apps or even having a custom ringtone is a PITA. I am not saying iPhone is bad, infact i was super impressed when it first came at my home and for once i did think that i may switch to iPhone later on. But then after using it for a week, i realized it is not for me. I am too much comfortable with android. May be it is just me.

Another thing is the money factor. I, for some reason cannot comprehend spending 35K for a phone.

Btw what deal you are getting ? No need to specify source if you do not want to. Just the price and GBes.

Also i am not sure if there ever will be an unlock for the 4S. Since even the later firmware versions of the iPhone 4 were not unlockable.
 
rdst_1 said:
Since the jailbreak for iPhone 4s is soon to be released, how long do you guys think would it take for a carrier unlock to be released. Getting a good deal on an AT&T 4S but wouldn't wanna wait for eternity for the unlock to come out.
Click to expand...

Many people bought iPhone 4 with the same hope and ended up buying gevey SIM or using it like a iTouch.

I would suggest wait for the unlock to come out and then buy.
 
raksrules said:
I am guessing the iPhone 4S too seems to be on your list
<


Btw although this is only my personal opinion, i would any day choose an android over the iPhone. My wife uses iPhone and she is very happy with it because of the simplicity and fluid UI but i do not like the close nature of the phone and doing even simple things like transferring music or apps or even having a custom ringtone is a PITA. I am not saying iPhone is bad, infact i was super impressed when it first came at my home and for once i did think that i may switch to iPhone later on. But then after using it for a week, i realized it is not for me. I am too much comfortable with android. May be it is just me.

Another thing is the money factor. I, for some reason cannot comprehend spending 35K for a phone.

Btw what deal you are getting ? No need to specify source if you do not want to. Just the price and GBes.

Also i am not sure if there ever will be an unlock for the 4S. Since even the later firmware versions of the iPhone 4 were not unlockable.
Click to expand...

Lol. The iPhone is for a friend. I belong to the Android camp permanently. I just lost out on a deal for a factory unlocked 64GB 4s that was brand new for $700 only because my cash was invested in some other deal.I am pretty content with my S2 for now. But since i have a SNS account my friends and family tell me to source some phones for them.Looking for deals for them makes it difficult for me to stop wanting new toys for myself, just for the sake of trying.
 
Guys. Great news. I have confirmed news from my friend in the States that Sprint has started unlocking the iPhone 4s for customers in good standing. This unlock is for international sims only and will remain unlocked despite one upgrading the iOs or baseband. All I have to say is that I will be getting at least 10 phones in the coming month or so and will also provide warranty on them.
 




Let's get this all straight. Here's a quick breakdown:
  • Verizon and Sprint's networks run on the CDMA standard.
  • AT&T runs on the GSM standard.
  • Most international carriers run on GSM, meaning it has always been really easy for AT&T customers to roam overseas. (But it'll cost you a lot.)


So what happens if Sprint and Verizon customers want to take their new iPhone 4S overseas?

Both devices come with a SIM card designed to operate the phone on each carrier's overseas partners. (For example, Verizon is partnered with Vodafone to provide customers with service outside the U.S.) That SIM card is locked to your carrier.

In Sprint's case, you have no choice but to use the SIM card they give you, as Sprint confirmed with Ars Technica. You can't unlock the Sprint iPhone 4S to run on any non-Sprint partner.

Verizon has a better deal. We spoke to a rep who told us customers in "good standing" can unlock their iPhone 4S to work on any international GSM carrier after 60 days. (By "good standing" Verizon means that you pay your bill on time.)

To recap: Verizon will let you unlock your iPhone 4S overseas if you're a good customer and pay your bills on time. Sprint keeps your iPhone 4S locked.

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http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-10-12/tech/30269550_1_iphone-verizon-sprint
 
I am pretty sure it is the other way around.

My friend owns a Verizon iPhone and Verizon will only unlock his phone after he has used it for 60days.

Sprint on the other hand will unlock the iPhone for customers wirh good standing.

How am I so sure?

Coz I have seen the proof plus one of such phones is already on the way to me.
 
But "good standing" is the main thing here. I think that means someone who is a customer of sprint for certain amount of time and has always paid bills on time and other such conditions.

So one person cannot just buy 10 phones from sprint and get them all unlocked.
 
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