14 DAY TRIAL // As of now, Apple no longer requires customers to present evidence of an AT&T contract when purchasing an iPhone. Although not sold unlocked (the device still requires an AT&T SIM card), an iPhone can now be purchased hassle-free for $499 – iPhone 3G 8GB; for $599 – iPhone 3GS 16GB; and for $699 – iPhone 3GS 32GB. Customers can only purchase one iPhone per day.
The news comes via a report by 9to5mac, which claims that, “As of today, you no longer need an AT&T plan to purchase an iPhone at an Apple Store.” An update to the same story includes information from an actual Apple store staffer who has allegedly confirmed the change in policy.
Apple would still sell them tied to AT&T’s network, “but everyone knows it takes 2 minutes to unlock them,” the employee reportedly said. Another update to the same story directs Apple fans to a Gizmodo report, which includes hard evidence of Apple’s move to remove some of the strings previously attached to the iPhone – internal documentation.
Pictured above, the document says, “Effective immediately, customers purchasing iPhone as device only at full price are no longer required to have an AT&T account or provide a form of ID. Device only full price iPhone sales are limited to one person per day.”
Purchase policies listed by Apple include:
- Customers may purchase only one (1) iPhone at full price ($499 for the 8GB iPhone 3G, $599 for the 16GB iPhone 3GS, and $699 for the 32GB iPhone 3GS) per day.
- Customers are not required to verify they have an active AT&T account to purchase as device only full price.
- Customers may continue to purchase up to five (5) iPhones per customer per day with contracts at new activation or upgrade pricing.
Apple adds that a qualified company interested in acquiring more than five units needs to go through GCRM. A FAQ is provided as well.