Is unlocking an AT&T IPhone 5 cheaper the buying a factory unlocked iPhone 5?
Well first of all I want to know of I went to the apple store and bought an iPhone 5 for At&T then went on to unlock it for my tmobile service would I be saving money NOT buying a regular factory unlocked iPhone 5 or is my plan useless
Yes, factory unlocking your iPhone after (buying it unlocked) is always more cost effective than buying it unlocked. It usually adds value to your iPhone. Many online providers can unlock it for your like iPhoneUnlockedCheap.com or others.
The following takes into consideration the iPhone 5, 16GB. The final cost, of course, will be determined by the actual model and capacity desired.
Let's look at the facts, if purchasing from Apple's web site:
iPhone 5 (16GB) - AT&T - 2 year contract required, costs: $199
iPhone 5 (16GB) - Contract free and unlocked, costs: $649
Please note that Apple's web site clearly and specifically states the following regarding the $199 iPhone 5: "AT&T Account, 2-year contract required".
Taking that into consideration, if you purchase the $199 iPhone 5, enter into a contract with AT&T and thereafter cancel your contract with AT&T in order to use T-Mobile, you will pay an Early Termination Fee (ETF), plus other fees that will total in EXCESS of $600. This does not take into consideration the frustration factor of paperwork, phone calls, etc., etc.
All things considered, using the above scenario, it will be cheaper for you to purchase an iPhone 5 contract free and unlocked rather than the other option.
If you purchase an iPhone 5 contract free and unlocked, there will be no need to use an unlocking web site service at all as the iPhone will already be factory unlocked.
Hope this helps!
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