Unlocked iPhones from T-Mobile!

For 1000 Euro, I can fly from Hamburg to N.Y. and back, have a nice party in Williamsburg, buy me an I-Phone for 350 bucks and still saved 50 Euro.

This is cra-zy.

The point it why they charge that sum is that they don't want to sell the unlocked iPhone. Except for a few dozen people, noone knows if that is a wish from apple or t-mobile. Anyway I don't want an iPhone and would most likely buy any other telephone, which is unlocked from day one. And yeah if I put aside €999 then I could maybe join xtraa's party (but from his avatar they might be some "fear and loathing" parties and I would need every single dime after those are done! Unless he is on free lunch, final wisdom, total coverage)

Wouldn't an unlocked iphone offer the chance to download the firmware from the device and distribute it in order to allow further unlocking of ANY iphone?

If this is a possibility they should charge 10 times that much so that NOONE buys it.

Seriously guys. Why the f*ck should someone pay almost one thousand euro's for a phone that's not a match for a random newly HTC?

J.C.! You can't even install TomTom on that thing, and they want 1000 euro's for that?

I'm a apple fan (and still growing), but this sucks. Even no build-in GPS, more m.p. camera and no support for 3G (UMTS and HSDPA)

Sorry Steve, but that's a sh*tty product you released. All the things a Iphone can't do, a HTC can do. And that only for 200 euro's.

I don't see what's wrong with charging that much. The reality is that you'll get a better deal if you go with the carrier that apple have chosen.

I see an apple apologist. Most cell phone service providers subsidize cell phones if you sign a contract with them. But with the iPhone, there is no subsidizing occurring, therefore why should I sign a 2 year contract?

Why do you think they chose ONE exclusive carrier in each country it's released in?

So they can maximize their revenue with it. It's a lot easier to get more revenue by saying only one carrier can sell the iPhone. They simply choose the carrier that will give them more money per user each month. Clearly the high price they are selling an unlocked iphone for is to make sure they get this money no matter what.

There is no technical reason for locking the iPhone. It's been proven that it works over any gsm network throughout the world. I got an iPhone and love it. I unlocked it and didn't sign up with a 2 year contract. It works the same through out. There is no stability problems at all with it.

One more thing. Apple chose AT&T as the exclusive provider of the iPhone in the US. AT&T secretly worked with the NSA to wiretap and data-mine Americans communications. AT&T is facing a class action lawsuit for this. I chose not to support a company that does that. And Apple has always been known that it puts its customers first. But here clearly they are moving away from that by signing an agreement with AT&T. So Apple can have my money for buying the iPhone, but not for the 2 year agreement. Say what you want, but there is nothing you can say that would make me want to sign a 2 year agreement with at&t to get an iPhone.

One more thing. I can relock my iPhone at anytime if I need to take it in for repair. And Apple would never know that I had unlocked it in the first place. Yay for anysim.

One more thing. I can relock my iPhone at anytime if I need to take it in for repair. And Apple would never know that I had unlocked it in the first place. Yay for anysim.

HAHA

Think what you want, but as soon as your iPhone DOES break, try bringing your iPhone into an Apple Store or calling Apple Care with your problem. They'll say, "too bad". Why? Because your 1 year hardware warranty (and 2 year with APP) is ONLY valid with and active and current AT&T account that is REGISTERED to the iPhone. Sorry to burst your bubble.

HAHA

 

Think what you want, but as soon as your iPhone DOES break, try bringing your iPhone into an Apple Store or calling Apple Care with your problem. They'll say, "too bad". Why? Because your 1 year hardware warranty (and 2 year with APP) is ONLY valid with and active and current AT&T account that is REGISTERED to the iPhone. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Nice FUD ya got their. Go read the warranty for the iPhone right here. I'm still safe. Im just glad I didn't sign up with at&t. Saved all that money. Does that make you mad? I sure hope not.

Just remember AT&T is the same company that is being sued for letting the NSA put in their illegal wiretap. Why would u want to support a company that did that? I know you love Apple and all, but have show some spine.

Nice FUD ya got their. Go read the warranty for the iPhone right here. I'm still safe. Im just glad I didn't sign up with at&t. Saved all that money. Does that make you mad? I sure hope not.

 

Just remember AT&T is the same company that is being sued for letting the NSA put in their illegal wiretap. Why would u want to support a company that did that? I know you love Apple and all, but have show some spine.

Did you even read the article and warranty page that you just posted?

Apple may require that you furnish proof of purchase details and/or comply with registration requirements before receiving warranty service. Please refer to the accompanying documentation for more details on this and other matters on obtaining warranty service.

To register your iPhone with Apple in America, you MUST activate your iPhone with AT&T. Period. End of. Full stop. You can't even register APP with your iPhone until AT&T gets your registration information.

"iPhone comes with one year of hardware repair service coverage and up to two years of technical support during the time your wireless agreement remains active with AT&T."

Update #3 on that article is FALSE information.

Source: Me. I work(ed) for Apple Care up until last week as an iPhone Specialist. Trust me, I've been through this a billion times over.

I hate AT&T as much as the next guy (actually, more so, AT&T General Care are a bunch of f*king morons), but don't inform these people of falsified information. It's a terrible thing to hear when people are upset about the $700 unlocked iPhone that they bought from some shack on a corner in Buffalo that broke on them a week later, because some dude on the internet said it was covered under Apple warranty.

However, Apple has great customer relations, and I'm sure that, with enough crying, complaining and moaning, you'll be able to get a replacement iPhone, provided you agree to sign up for AT&T's service the day you get the replacement iPhone.

Not to say that it will happen, but hey, if you're feeling lucky go for it.

Did you even read the article and warranty page that you just posted?

To register your iPhone with Apple in America, you MUST activate your iPhone with AT&T. Period. End of. Full stop. You can't even register APP with your iPhone until AT&T gets your registration information.

Update #3 on that article is FALSE information.

 

Source: Me. I work(ed) for Apple Care up until last week as an iPhone Specialist. Trust me, I've been through this a billion times over.

 

I hate AT&T as much as the next guy (actually, more so, AT&T General Care are a bunch of f*king morons), but don't inform these people of falsified information. It's a terrible thing to hear when people are upset about the $700 unlocked iPhone that they bought from some shack on a corner in Buffalo that broke on them a week later, because some dude on the internet said it was covered under Apple warranty.

 

However, Apple has great customer relations, and I'm sure that, with enough crying, complaining and moaning, you'll be able to get a replacement iPhone, provided you agree to sign up for AT&T's service the day you get the replacement iPhone.

Directly from the apple iphone warranty page:

Apple Inc. (“Apple”) warrants this Apple-branded hardware product against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ONE

(1) YEAR from the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser (“Warranty Period”). If a hardware defect arises and a valid claim is received

within the Warranty Period, at its option and to the extent permitted by law, Apple will either (1) repair the hardware defect at no charge, using new

or refurbished replacement parts, (2) exchange the product with a product that is new or which has been manufactured from new or serviceable used

parts and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product, or (3) refund the purchase price of the product.

Now where in there does it say that I have to be signed up with at&t in order to get it replaced if the hardware is defective? I unlocked the iPhone myself, I did not buy it unlocked. I'm fully aware of how to relock it. If I have a problem with it, it will be related to hardware. And Apple does provide a 1 year warranty on the hardware for it. So I'm all taken care of. All I will need is to show my reciept and show that there is a hardware problem with it. And I get it replaced. Simple as that.

What part of Apple Tech Support did you work in by the way? Was it in the division that dealt with defective hardware or just general use of the device where the customer was having a software problem with it?

edit: directly from Apple's iPhone Service FAQ page:

2. How can I tell if my iPhone is in-warranty?

Apple’s Limited Warranty for iPhone covers your iPhone for one year from the date of original purchase. Apple’s Limited Warranty begins on the date that the iPhone was originally purchased. To determine your warranty coverage, enter the serial number of your iPhone in the "About Your Support Coverage" section on the Apple Support site. Apple may need to examine your proof of purchase document to verify your iPhone’s warranty status. Note: Warranty starts on the date of purchase.

edit 2: I checked my iPhone's warranty status, here is what it said:

Our records indicate this product has not been activated. Learn how to activate your iPhone. Please note that warranty service is not dependent on activating your iPhone.

Directly from the apple iphone warranty page:

 

Apple Inc. (“Apple”) warrants this Apple-branded hardware product against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ONE

(1) YEAR from the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser (“Warranty Period”). If a hardware defect arises and a valid claim is received

within the Warranty Period, at its option and to the extent permitted by law, Apple will either (1) repair the hardware defect at no charge, using new

or refurbished replacement parts, (2) exchange the product with a product that is new or which has been manufactured from new or serviceable used

parts and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product, or (3) refund the purchase price of the product.

 

Now where in there does it say that I have to be signed up with at&t in order to get it replaced if the hardware is defective? I unlocked the iPhone myself, I did not buy it unlocked. I'm fully aware of how to relock it. If I have a problem with it, it will be related to hardware. And Apple does provide a 1 year warranty on the hardware for it. So I'm all taken care of. All I will need is to show my reciept and show that there is a hardware problem with it. And I get it replaced. Simple as that.

 

What part of Apple Tech Support did you work in by the way? Was it in the division that dealt with defective hardware or just general use of the device where the customer was having a software problem with it?

Again:

Apple may require that you furnish proof of purchase details and/or comply with registration requirements before receiving warranty service. Please refer to the accompanying documentation for more details on this and other matters on obtaining warranty service.

Here's a rough example of YOUR call to Apple Care when you call in about your broken hardware:

Agent: Thanks for Calling Apple, my name is Joe, Can I get your name and iPhone phone number.

You: Um, yah, Stupid, and the number is ###-###-####.

Agent: Sorry, the number doesn't come up in our systems. Is your iPhone registered with AT&T?

You: No.

Agent: What's the issue, then?

You: The receiver on my phone doesn't work.

Agent: How do you know this without having this phone registered and/or activated with AT&T?

You: <Lame excuse here>

Agent: Unfortunately, Apple cannot help you with your situation because:

i) You must activate the phone with AT&T in order to troubleshoot the phone and to get it repaired. (Because how else would you know that the receiver doesn't work?)

ii) You probably unlocked the phone, violating the software license agreement.

In the end, you lose. Both AT&T and Apple thought this out. And Apple Care aren't full of morons.

And Good luck "relocking" when your iPhone gets into a reset loop.

Again:

Here's a rough example of YOUR call to Apple Care when you call in about your broken hardware:

 

Agent: Thanks for Calling Apple, my name is Joe, Can I get your name and iPhone phone number.

You: Um, yah, Stupid, and the number is ###-###-####.

Agent: Sorry, the number doesn't come up in our systems. Is your iPhone registered with AT&T?

You: No.

Agent: What's the issue, then?

You: The receiver on my phone doesn't work.

Agent: How do you know this without having this phone registered and/or activated with AT&T?

You: <Lame excuse here>

Agent: Unfortunately, Apple cannot help you with your situation because:

i) You must activate the phone with AT&T in order to troubleshoot the phone and to get it repaired. (Because how else would you know that the receiver doesn't work?)

ii) You probably unlocked the phone, violating the software license agreement.

 

In the end, you lose. Both AT&T and Apple thought this out. And Apple Care aren't full of morons.

 

And Good luck "relocking" when your iPhone gets into a reset loop.

If you're talking about the endless rebooting, forcing it into restore mode usually fixes that. I'm quite adept at hardware hacking.

Second I would never call Apple about it, I would just take it directly into an Apple store with the receipt and have them replace it then. Remember they don't need activation in order to do the warranty service. They even say not to include your sim in it.

If you're talking about the endless rebooting, forcing it into restore mode usually fixes that. I'm quite adept at hardware hacking.

Usually?

Usually those phones have to come in for repair because it won't stay in forced recovery (hence why it's rebooting endlessly).

Second I would never call Apple about it, I would just take it directly into an Apple store with the receipt and have them replace it then. Remember they don't need activation in order to do the warranty service. They even say not to include your sim in it.

Do you honestly think that a Mac Genius will take an iPhone back with a paper receipt alone? In fact, they'll disregard the paper receipt and punch the serial into the system. Oh, you bet your ass that they'll check the system (the same one that Apple Care uses), and they'll turn you away IF they suspect that you've unlocked the Phone.

Making unauthorized modifications to the software on your iPhone violates the iPhone software license agreement, and the inability to use your iPhone due to unauthorized software modifications is not covered under your iPhone's warranty.

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/s...es.html#topic-4

Because, again, how do you know if the phone's receiver, or speakerphone, or whatever you'd like, doesn't work without using the phone?

Why else do you think that the Apple Store requires a credit card (no cash, no debit) to purchase a (maximum of 2) iPhones? Because they like credit? No, I bought my Macbook last month in $5 bills.

Apple has a forced frown upon unlocking because of AT&T.

Usually?

 

Usually those phones have to come in for repair because it won't stay in forced recovery (hence why it's rebooting endlessly).

See here.

Do you honestly think that a Mac Genius will take an iPhone back with a paper receipt alone? In fact, they'll disregard the paper receipt and punch the serial into the system. Oh, you bet your ass that they'll check the system (the same one that Apple Care uses), and they'll turn you away IF they suspect that you've unlocked the Phone.

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/s...es.html#topic-4

 

Because, again, how do you know if the phone's receiver, or speakerphone, or whatever you'd like, doesn't work without using the phone?

And how will they know I've unlocked my iPhone? It would have been fully revirginized and restored to the 1.1.1 firmware. Again, Apple said themselves that the iPhone does not need to be activated to get warranty service. And the standard 1 year warranty on the hardware applies. I've known lots of people who have gotten their iPhones replaced who have had to revirginize their iPhone and restored it before they went in to get it exchanged. Unless you're stupid enough to take it to them unlocked, it won't matter. They won't know. Software is not permanent. It does not irreparably damage your iPhone. It is always reversible.

Why else do you think that the Apple Store requires a credit card (no cash, no debit) to purchase a (maximum of 2) iPhones? Because they like credit? No, I bought my Macbook last month in $5 bills.

Guess you've never heard of one time use credit cards. And I got my iPhone before they had this requirement. So this won't apply to me.

Apple has a forced frown upon unlocking because of AT&T.

And that is too bad. If they had sold it at the price they did, but was unlocked, they would have sold a lot more then they do right now. How's it feel that your favorite company is making all the wrong decisions?

See here.

And how will they know I've unlocked my iPhone? It would have been fully revirginized and restored to the 1.1.1 firmware. Again, Apple said themselves that the iPhone does not need to be activated to get warranty service. And the standard 1 year warranty on the hardware applies. I've known lots of people who have gotten their iPhones replaced who have had to revirginize their iPhone and restored it before they went in to get it exchanged. Unless you're stupid enough to take it to them unlocked, it won't matter. They won't know. Software is not permanent. It does not irreparably damage your iPhone. It is always reversible.

You know lots of people? Source?

You must activate iPhone with an AT&T plan to use its features, including iPod and Internet capabilities.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebO...ode=help/iphone

So, how do you know if the Speakerphone doesn't work if you didn't activate it with AT&T? Apple Store is going to troubleshoot the phone before replacing it. AS IF you're going to walk in there, say, "My speakerphone doesn't work" and walk out with a new iPhone. Get real. They are going to verify that you have an AT&T account because again (as I begin to sound like a broken record), you cannot use iPhone features (including hardware like speakerphone, receiver, home button ETC ETC ETC ETC........................................) without activating iPhone.

Guess you've never heard of one time use credit cards. And I got my iPhone before they had this requirement. So this won't apply to me.

And this is relevant because...?

And that is too bad. If they had sold it at the price they did, but was unlocked, they would have sold a lot more then they do right now. How's it feel that your favorite company is making all the wrong decisions?

Are you senile? I've been bashing AT&T endlessly. If I say jump, do you sit?

I am simply stating what would happen in real life (at Apple Store and/or Apple Care). Not what happens in your fantasy world (in your head).

I understand where you are coming from, but under no circumstances that I am aware of (and I've been working with iPhones since launch) has an iPhone been replaced inactivated, UNLESS it cannot be activated due to hardware defects. Period.

You know lots of people? Source?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebO...ode=help/iphone

 

So, how do you know if the Speakerphone doesn't work if you didn't activate it with AT&T? Apple Store is going to troubleshoot the phone before replacing it. AS IF you're going to walk in there, say, "My speakerphone doesn't work" and walk out with a new iPhone. Get real. They are going to verify that you have an AT&T account because again (as I begin to sound like a broken record), you cannot use iPhone features (including hardware like speakerphone, receiver, home button ETC ETC ETC ETC........................................) without activating iPhone.

Hardware defects in the iPhone are covered by a standard 1 year warranty on the hardware. You only get 2 years warranty if you sign up with at&t. I've already shown you links to this. But if what you say is true, here is how you get around it. You can sign up with at&t on a pay as you go service. Apple has no way to verify this. Hence you still get your warranty.

Source: http://www.9to5mac.com/fix-your-bricked-iP...s-pronto-234563

And this is relevant because...?

Because it works. That's why. One guy was able to buy 16 iPhones and you don't see them slowing down at all on eBay do ya?

Are you senile? I've been bashing AT&T endlessly. If I say jump, do you sit?

I didn't notice your other posts on this board. All I saw was you saying that people couldn't get service for their iPhone if they don't sign up with at&t.

I am simply stating what would happen in real life (at Apple Store and/or Apple Care). Not what happens in your fantasy world (in your head).

 

I understand where you are coming from, but under no circumstances that I am aware of (and I've been working with iPhones since launch) has an iPhone been replaced inactivated, UNLESS it cannot be activated due to hardware defects. Period.

Apple says so on their website that the iPhone doesn't need activation for warranty service. They tell you not to keep your sim in it when bringing it in for warranty service.

I can tell you one story in particular. This guy unlocked his iPhone 1.0.2 firmware with the anysim 1.0 unlocking tool, then upgraded to 1.1.1. Which of course bricked it. He then proceeded to downgrade back to 1.0.2 and unplugged the iPhone half way through the procedure. It was caught in an endless boot cycle. He brought it into the Apple store and proceeded to act stupid saying he doesn't know what happened. They had no way of knowing at that point what had happened to it. He walked out with a new iPhone.

That's just one of many, the point being is that anyone smart enough to unlock the iPhone knows how to get it replaced under the 1 year hardware warranty. I wonder why you're no longer working for Apple though. Probably for not giving good customer support.

One more thing to mention. Gotta give a shout out to the iPhone-dev team. You guys rock. Without you I'd have never bought an iPhone.