Apple generally delays the availability of factory unlocked iPhones. The same thing happened with the iPhone 5. iPhone 5 is now available for purchase, straight from Apple. Before you go ahead and try to buy one, think about the other options to lay your hands on an unlocked iPhone 5.

Following are various options to buy an iPhone 5, unlocked :

• Buy one from Craigslist or eBay, even if it is locked to a carrier. You can always unlock them. It is cheaper that way!
• You could also signup for a new contract/line for an iPhone 5 from your favorite carrier and then cancel after the 30th day. You will end up paying ETF but this option is feasible only if you got one of those crazy $99 for iPhone promotions or the like. Full price ($199) with a contract makes no sense. Your credit will take a hit too. This option was good when Apple didn’t sell any unlocked iPhones, not anymore.
• If the above options don’t find appealing to you, then you can buy one from Apple. You will be paying a lot of tax depending on your state’s tax rules. For instance, about $60 for the 64GB model in NJ! If I were you, I would buy this online via a cashback site (Discover 5% cashback or Bank of America’s cashback site or others). If I have the option, I would ship it to my friend living in a tax free state! That will be about $100 savings (cashback and tax)!

Apple kinda hides the unlocked iPhone availability or they don’t make it obvious. To get one for yourself, go to Apple’s site and click on Or get iPhone unlocked and contract-free.

Image source : pcmag.com