It looks like this time around, Apple has new plans for the way it is distributing the iPhone 5. We earlier learned factory unlocked iPhones will no longer be available for purchase on launch day at Apple retail stores. Now, the Globe and Mail is reporting Apple is tightening how authorized resellers distribute the new iPhone:
People close to some of the Canadian carriers that are planning to sell the new device said Friday that Apple will not allow those firms to sell it in their stores without also activating the device.
In effect, that means users will have a harder time reselling the phones or shipping them to other countries where the iPhone may not have launched yet, or may not normally be available. As such, the move gives Apple more control over how and where its devices are sold.
According to a source, Apple had not required immediate activation as a prerequisite for sales for any of the previous iPhone models.
Essentially, when you walk into any carrier or dealer to buy the iPhone 5, you won’t be able to leave with your phone until it is activated. An ‘activation’ in Apple’s definition means getting to the Home screen.
Anytime an iPhone is activated on either Rogers, Telus or Bell, Apple is automatically paid a fee by the carriers, with the latter also receiving part of usage fees from monthly plans. According to the Globe and Mail, sources close to the ‘Big 3’ carriers confirmed off the record this new rule would apply for the iPhone 5.
It appears these new changes target scalpers and resellers; Apple is tightening its leash on iPhone sales.
Update: Our reliable source mentions you can leave Apple Stores with a sealed carrier locked and activated iPhone 5. Also, fully unsubsidized and carrier locked iPhone 5 units will be available for purchase.
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It’s about time really. Too many people make money from re-selling the iPhone. Of course, if they’re going to do this, they better expand their iPhone availability quickly to meet the demand.
Who cares if someone makes money selling an iPhone. Its not the seller putting it in demand, its the person willing to buy it !
Yes, there is demand to buy it…. FROM APPLE. Not from scalpers. As long as the scalpers keep jerking the system, they make it hard for legitimate customers to get a device after a launch.
As the article states, this is to deter scalpers / resellers and gives a chance to those who really want to buy one have a greater chance at getting one.
Stupid move by Apple. If I wanna buy an unlocked iPhone 5 as a Christmas gift, it won’t be possible to buy it in store then, since I have to open the box to activate the phone. So online is the only way these days to buy an unlocked iPhone ?
By the looks of it so far, yes. But they may change their policy after the launch calms down a bit since the phone will be in demand. It’s hard to say what Apple will do. It leaves me wondering if I have to wait, to get a nano sim card for my unlocked phone.
Oops wrong column
Yes, online is the only option.
stfu scalper
Instead of limiting the purchase of two per customer, just make it one. How hard is that. With this being said, what if we purchase the phone online (apple store) and obtaining a nano sim card? Do we have to bring our unlocked phone to the carrier’s store and have them activate there?
How does this work for online purchases?
Just imagine the server crashes that will happen on launch day now that every single phone that leaves the store has to be activated with itunes!
I wonder how this will work. I ordered it at Rogers, but I don’t plan on using my iPhone 5 until I get my ZAGG invisibleSHIELD in. So now I’m going to have to activate it on a new SIM then get them to reactivate my old SIM? That’s going to be a pain in the ass if that’s the case.
Why would anyone pay the full unsubsizded price for a carrier locked phone?
They ‘want’ the iPhone 5 and don’t want to renew their monthly plan. So they buy it unsubsidized.
But to pay full price and still have it carrier locked seems pointless. Then you have to pay the carrier $50 to unlock your phone you paid full price for already.
Yep. I guess impatient people with money is a dangerous combination 😉
Bell&Virgin won’t even do that, which is BS!
Correct. They will not unlock
You get to use your phone right away instead of waiting for shipment
The phone won’t be locked. When you purchase an unlocked phone, switch between service providers without penalty. Also, you can use it across the world without paying for roaming charges to a Canadian carrier. E.g if you spend a month in England, simply buy a sim card in England and use it in your phone. Way cheaper than paying Rogers or Bell. If you don’t plan to travel and are happy with your local carrier, get a phone locked to you’re provider.
Apple is only selling carrier locked units in store, even if you pay the unsubsidizedprice, it will be sim locked to whichever provider. You would then have to pay the carrier another $50 to uncripple the phone you paid full price for, so you could install other provider’s sim cards.
Anyone order online last year and then go to the Apple Store to get a sim? I’m just wondering if they will have a separate line for people not buying the iPhone.
The store should be operating as usual, just walk in and ask for one.
Thanks Gary 🙂
Thanks for asking this question. I was thinking the same.
im not gonna lie im totally one of those people…i buy 4-6 online with different visas and resell them for $100-$200 more than i bought them for. impatient people want their iphones!
I guess doing that online is better than in person….
lol apple apple apple the countrol every single thing on that phone everything from activating it to whats apps you use and what you cant use and see what you are doing and where you are like really do you really wanna see any one countrol everything you do i cant do with out apple waching and restrecting you like i could not take it when you buy a phone and they tell you you cant do something i say if you buy a phone the phone sould be your and can do what the fuck you want thats why i want to andriod where google or samsung dont give a flying fuck what you do with on contract or not on contract its your jail break it dont jailbreak it even throw it down 80 steps darg it with your car see apple fans only see its apple and goes fast look good but really apple fans see only thats and dont get the big picture even if samsung made the same phone lets say and apple made the same phone shape and everytihng one ios one andriod all the apple fan would be runing to apple and say yes best phone ever made but for a fact when you pay for a phone no one sould ever tell you what you can and cant do with it its your and can be jailbroken in the store in front of them if you want or even burning huge flam up a flag poll so dont you think its right what am saying????????????????????????????
and explane why yes or no
Ever heard of a a full stop? Paragraphs? Taking a breath? Seriously if you are going to construct an argument on why the iPhone isn’t the one for you, make it a least legible.
i think also they don’t sell unlocked ones is because the malls and businesses are complaining the line too huge.. it’s annoying and blocking people.. of course they wanna sell ppl from flipping too… but surprise apple site haven’t said anything about this yet.. or have they..
well… from past experience. Innocent people wait in line, having fun, waiting to get an iPhone. then fast forward 4 hours later, you seem to have 200 mainland Chinese people budge and everyone in the back is now left without an iPhone because they bought 2 to sell in the aftermarket in china. it seriously pissed people off and fights were starting. Im glad unlocked phones are not available for pickup to tackle this issue.
Ps im chinese too so im not being racist.
You’re a wise man to remove yourself from the equation, it’s annoying but that’s why you gotta wake up early or go to a small town like I will (Waterloo!!)
I agree 100% that some “usual suspects” do ruin the fun for other normal users, they not only do that at Apple Stores but also LV in Paris. Some of them even lack basic manners of line up, which gives a bad name to the people of the same race but from other counties like myself.