Apple's next generation iPhone, the iPhone 4S has been officially unveiled and as of today you can pre-order iPhone 4S if you want one with a two year contract. Those who want to buy factory unlocked iPhone 4S will have to wait until November 2011.
Apple also mentions on their website that factory unlocked iPhone 4S will only work with support GSM networks. What this means is that if you buy factory unlocked iPhone 4S, you will be able to use it on AT&T and not explicitly on Sprint and Verizon Wireless, both of which are now offering iPhone 4S with two year contracts, prices starting at just $199.
While T-Mobile USA did not get iPhone 4S this year, it doesn't mean that you won't be able to use your factory unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile. Sure, Apple doesn't explicitly mention their name but those wishing to use their factory unlocked iPhone 4S on T-Mobile can very well do so. However, they will only receive 2G EDGE speeds on T-Mobile.
If you want to buy factory unlocked iPhone 4S particularly due to the fact that you want to keep using it on your international travels, then that is the decision to make. All you have to do is swap micro-SIMs around the world and your iPhone 4S can be used with any international GSM network you wish.
If you don’t want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. It arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you’ll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using it, simply insert the micro-SIM card into the slot on your iPhone and turn it on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.
On the other hand, if it becomes possible to jailbreak iPhone 4S untethered or tethered, then you will be able to unlock iPhone 4S even if its with a two-year contract. However the possibility of that happening looks bleak and can not be confirmed until we actually get our hands on iPhone 4S.
You can buy factory unlocked iPhone 4S for the following prices, shipping starts November but no definite date has been given.
- Factory Unlocked iPhone 4S 16GB: $649
- Factory Unlocked iPhone 4S 32GB: $749
- Factory Unlocked iPhone 4S 64GB: $849