Apple website reveals unlocked iPhone 5 price
Apple has quietly revealed the price of the factory unlocked version of the iPhone 5. But the new listing may be a result of an accidental leak.
Unlocked phones work with any SIM card, with or without a data plan. International travelers may find the option to purchase a local pay-as-you-go SIM card more cost-effective than upgrading to an international plan or pay roaming fees. According to CNET, unlocked iPhones are generally sold in other countries before the U.S., in order to give carriers a window of exclusivity.
According to Apple's website, the price of the iPhone 5 is between $649 and $849, depending on the storage capacity.
Apple Insider reports that the prices were not previously listed on Apple's website, but the prices may have been accidentally revealed on the sidebar. A search of the terms "iphone 5 factory unlocked" now yields results with prices.
Both the GSM and CDMA models are available unlocked, but it's not currently possible for U.S. customers to purchase the unlocked phones on Apple's website -- the Apple Store online still requires shoppers to chose a mobile plan.
Apple's iPhones are currently available on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. Customers using other mobile carriers, like T-Mobile, may soon be able to get an iPhone 5 without switching.
Apple did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for information about availability of unlocked iPhone 5s in the U.S.
