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Every year, users who are particularly keen on not signing up for a binding wireless contract wait for the unlocked version of a new iPhone model to arrive. When it comes to iPhone 5S, Apple has finally made available the unlocked and SIM-free version of the handset at its online store.

The SIM-free and unlocked iPhone 5S essentially allows you to choose a wireless carrier of your own as well as a data plan of your choice. However, a slight limitation in the case of iPhone 5S is that it is not compatible with CDMA-based carriers. In other words, you can’t sign up for the likes of Sprint or Verizon Wireless in the US when using the new handset.

But you can use a GSM-compatible SIM from any supporting carriers. This includes AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S. An unlocked iPhone 5S also means that while traveling abroad, you can take it with you and then get a GSM-compatible SIM from an overseas carrier to use while you are abroad. This is why frequent travelers tend to prefer unlocked iPhone handsets.

One of the key concerns with iPhone 5S is that it supports only nano-SIMs. So not only you need to find a GSM-compatible wireless carrier but also to get a nano-SIM from that carrier if you wish to use the latest smartphone from Apple.

When bound with carrier contracts, iPhone 5S costs significantly less. But now that it is unlocked and SIM-free, Apple is retailing it at $649 for the 16GB model, $749 for the 32GB model and $849 for the 64GB model. You can read up other compatibility details and requirements for purchasing the unlocked iPhone 5S at Apple’s official website.

Source: Apple
Courtesy: CNET

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