TheVagabond Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 (edited) Hi, With the new 5s coming out I'm debating what I want to get. I am focusing on being economical as I don't need anything cutting edge. I arrive in CM Oct 2nd so debating buying now or waiting. How much are 4s' going for unlocked? Do you think that is the better route? Buy used on EBay? (I am seeing some good prices for the 4s and the 5)? General thoughts and open discussion welcome (of course, about practicalities and pros and cons of the various iPhone models, not whether Apple is dead ;-) haha) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Edited September 19, 2013 by TheVagabond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 make sure you don't buy a "Verizon" hardware version iPhone in the USA, it must be "ATT" hardware compatible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVagabond Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 (edited) Thanks. Now, for clarity correct me if I am wrong: I thought Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint compatible iPhones were locked into those carriers.... And the unlocked versions are either unlocked requiring GSM sim, or unlocked with T Mobile but compatible with any GSM sim... Are you saying that there are unlocked iPhones that are compatible with AT&T and other unlocked iPhones that are not compatible with AT&T? Thanks! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Edited September 19, 2013 by TheVagabond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 the simple bottom line is, Verizon HARDWARE is compatible with a completely different type of cellphone network that is not used in Thailand. So locked or unlocked, it will not work. So make sure you get a ATT iPhone or it will not work in Thailand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVagabond Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 Thanks Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negreanu Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 (edited) So make sure you get a ATT iPhone or it will not work in Thailand. Em...It will still be locked to ATT..Frequency dependent or not. Buy in MBK today for 50,000 if you want a unlocked 5s Edited September 20, 2013 by negreanu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deesquared Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 So make sure you get a ATT iPhone or it will not work in Thailand. Em...It will still be locked to ATT..Frequency dependent or not. Buy in MBK today for 50,000 if you want a unlocked 5s There isn't an MBK in Chiang Mai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deesquared Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 (edited) Unlocked ones are $649 from Apple. I just bought mine from the states unlocked. Less hassle.http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone5s Edited September 20, 2013 by deesquared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Tamson Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 So make sure you get a ATT iPhone or it will not work in Thailand. Em...It will still be locked to ATT..Frequency dependent or not. Buy in MBK today for 50,000 if you want a unlocked 5s But only if you're brain dead! Twice the going price and a Chinese fake for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muratremix Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Buy from USA of course. It will come here in December and first party shipments will be finished in a week. Besides, everything in USA is cheaper (except labor force) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 If you really opt for the overpriced, old fashioned fruit company product, make sure you don't use it in the rain or drop it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevc Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Have a look here their not the cheapest in MBK but they are reliable http://www.iphoneinthailand.com/NS_Telecom/ this way you can check the prices just before you come over. Sent from my GT-P5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 What phone do you use in the country you are currently in ? You may be able to bring it with you. Many / most can be cracked to work in Thailand (unless Verizon etc)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosswlkr Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 buy from an official Apple dealer in Thailand - it will be unlocked unlike a US phone. Otherwise there is no difference. Now iOS 7 has been released, it is much better running on a iPhone 5 than on a 4 or 4S so I would recommend either 5 or wait for 5C or 5S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVagabond Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 (edited) Thanks all. So i just called and USA won't ship in time, I leave Sep 30th. My current iPhone 3g is on it's last legs or I'd try and bring that over. Thanks Ross, so the 5 should still be available for some time then from apple dealers in Thailand? Would appreciate thoughts on two options: A -order 5s in USA and have someone ship it to me in Thailand once I get there B - get 5 in thailand upon arrival (because 5s isn't available yet?) At this point ruled out the 4s and think its worth it to get at least a 5 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Edited September 20, 2013 by TheVagabond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twr404 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 It's actually very simple. The best option (if time allows for OP) is to buy in America an unlocked GSM iPhone (whatever flavor C or S) It will be a couple hundred $s less than in Thailand. An unlocked GSM iPhone will work anywhere in the world, and especially in Thailand. Once you arrive here, just roll into any 7-11 or phone shop and buy a micro SIM card and you are good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVagabond Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Unlocked ones are $649 from Apple. I just bought mine from the states unlocked. Less hassle. http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone5s Then someone will mail it to you, or are you in the states? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyFriend You Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 make sure you don't buy a "Verizon" hardware version iPhone in the USA, it must be "ATT" hardware compatible. I just checked with three Apple stores in Washing ton DC area, the iPhone 5S & 5C are not being offered Unlocked, only tagged with one of the big four companies............the iPhone 5, has been discontinued, you may be able to fnd them with a reseller, but not with Apple. I'll but mine in Bangkok in December Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Have a look here their not the cheapest in MBK but they are reliable http://www.iphoneinthailand.com/NS_Telecom/ this way you can check the prices just before you come over. Sent from my GT-P5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Better to spend 1,000 or 2,000 more, and buy it from the Apple, or istudio shops, or jaymart, or similar big shops. The smaller grey market shops sell alot of fakes, and when the device is real, fhey usually offer minimal warranty service. Have had nightmares with the little shops, and will never do it again, to save a thousand or two. Devices have ended up tied up with poor service repairs for months, or not repaired at all. Never again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVagabond Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 (edited) OK I ended up caving in and went for the 5S here in the States so I can be sure I get one since my beat up 3GS was dying. Got a T-Mobile. Walked past the long line at the Apple store and into the EMPTY T-Mobile store and got the last iPhone 5S they had! No wait, hah, suckers! The Apple site states the T-Mobile can be used internationally on a nano-SIM from a local GMS carrier. They did say previously in the web copy that it was unlocked, and not anymore, and now the cart shows the item description as unlocked... Bottom line the T-mobile no contract means that at the longest I wait 40 days to have them unlock, if I can't convince them to go sooner. I talked for about 2 hours with both Apple and T-Mobile people in the stores co-located in one mall and they ALL were unclear if it would work internationally despite the site saying it. I found this thread where on page 7 several people bought t-mobile 5S' and immediately used them with ATT sim cards. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1640112&page=7 Lastly I did check the frequencies on the apple.com/th site, .com/asia site and the USA site under tech specs and the model I have runs some of the same freqs as the TH model and so it should work immediately based off all things learned today.... Will let you all know! Edited September 21, 2013 by TheVagabond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deesquared Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Unlocked ones are $649 from Apple. I just bought mine from the states unlocked. Less hassle. http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone5s Then someone will mail it to you, or are you in the states? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD I had someone hand carry it who was coming over anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVagabond Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Thanks. Yeah that's why I ultimately decided it best to buy here and hand Cary myself before I leave next week. Cheers Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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