A customer holds up an Apple iPhone 5 as he poses for a photo during an exclusive sale by Belgian operator Mobistar in Brussels (Photo : Reuters)
While the ever-elusive release date for the unlocked iPhone 5 remains under wraps, consumers should expect their official launch "in the next several weeks," according to the Verge. Impatient Apple enthusiasts can even get their hands on a GSM-only unlocked Verizon phone, which can tap into AT&T's network, along with other phone company services.This year's Verizon iPhone release marks the first time the company launched a naturally unlocked.phone.
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The Verge also notes that unlocked iPhone 4S devices weren't available until November of last year, following its September launch. Apple is fond of following patterns with its announcements and launch dates, so don't be surprised if non-Verizon unlocked models crop up around that time this year.
Truly anxious American consumers also have the option of moving to Canada to secure an unlocked iPhone 5 early, which has been available since launch day in the country. All iPhones from Canada's Apple store are unlocked.
As for pricing, the Canadian 16, 32, and 64GB sell for CAD $699, CAD $799, and CAD $899. In the US, the unlocked phones will be priced at $649, $749, and $849.
The iPhone 5 sports a 3.95 oz Aluminum Unibody build, housing the new Apple A6 processor and framing the new 4" LCD screen at a resolution of 1136 x 640. The runs on iOS 6 and provides a max of 8 hours 3G talk and data use. Similar to the S3, the iPhone 5 has both 1080p recording capabilities and an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera. However, one key difference is a 0.9 megapixel front-facing camera. Apple's smartphone offers 802.11 b/g/n/a dual-band WiFi and cell coverage using EV-DO Rev. A, LTE, and HSPA+
