According to Verizon Customer Service, users looking to buy an iPhone 5 off contract can walk in to their local store on Friday September 21st and pay iPhone 5 off contract prices to pick up the latest handset without singing a new two-year agreement.
This means users like myself can buy the iPhone 5 without waiting a month to purchase through Apple, and without adding a new line, which looked like the only option to get the iPhone 5 on release day.
Lat last night the Verizon Customer Service team on Twitter confirmed the ability to buy an iPhone 5 at off contract prices on September 21st in Store.
@josh_smith Yes you can.^JJK
— VZW Support (@VZWSupport) September 14, 2012
I remain skeptical as Apple is not selling unlocked iPhone 5 devices until weeks after the release date. I’ve reached out through other channels to confirm, but there is no official response yet.
At least one user claims he was able to buy the iPhone 5 at off contract prices on Apple’s website last night despite being in the middle of his contract. Scott Jordan, CEO of ScotteVest was not able to pre-order at off contract prices on Apple.com last night.
This morning I am able to pre-order the iPhone 5 at off contract pricing on Apple.com, but it is for delivery 2 weeks after release date. That does give me hope that Verizon will sell the iPhone 5 at off contract pricing next week.
Read: Where to buy the iPhone 5
Best Buy and Radio Shack offer in-store iPhone 5 pre-orders and reservations, but there is no confirmation if they will sell an off contract iPhone 5 on Verizon or on AT&T and Sprint.
With online pre-orders pushed out to 2 weeks, expect big crowds at Apple stores and at carrier stores on Friday September 21st.
Now we just need to find out if AT&T will do the same. Because Apple stores will not be doing that. And since the phones are not identical, if you are AT&T you may be in for a month+ delay.
I believe it is likely that the FB user misunderstood the $250 penalty “Early Upgrade” price. I would really like to know if they paid +$250 (includes contract reset) or $450 (actual off-contract, unlock eligible, off contract pricing).
Upon further research, the $250 penalty seems to be an AT&T thing, so this user probably didn’t make this mistake because he is a Verizon customer.
I got mine easily at off contract price from verizonwireless site at start of preorder time
But is it unlocked??? AND also what version is your iphone the (Model A1428) or (Model A1429).