This just in from Apple, the iPhone 5C and 5S have now a price will go on sale (in the U.S.) on September 20.
For the 5C, the price for an un-locked or SIM free is US$549 for the 16GB version and US$649 for the 32GB. For units with a service plan with At&t, Sprint or verizon, the 16GB sells for US$99 and the 32GB for US$199.
For the 5S, pricing with a plan is US$199 for the 16GB, uS$299 for the 32GB and US$399 for the 64GB. Unlocked and contract-free is $649, US$749 and US$849, for the 16, 32 and 64 respectively.
Apple also has the 4S with a US$0 cost with a plan or US$450 for unlocked and contract-free
Apple makes a distinction of “unlocked and contract free” for the 5S and “SIM-Free” for the 5C.
According to Apple, the “unlocked and contract free” models come with a T-Mobile, it will arrive with a nano-SIM card already installed that you can activate by visiting an Apple Retail Store or a T-Mobile store or by calling T-Mobile. With the SIM-free iPhone you will need to purchase a GSM-compatible nano-SIM card separately from a local carrier.
Apple is already taking “pre-orders” on its website.
For use in Costa Rica, and for who can’t wait until November expected delivery date, the SIM-free unit is the best option.
The idea of Apple is to market the 5C to markets outside the United States, where many local carriers, such as in Costa Rica cannot sell a locked phone.
In Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Movistar and Claro will try to sell you a phone at a discounted price with a plan, but all will also sell you the phone only at a much higher price.
Purchasing at the Apple store and shipping it to Costa Rica will mean the added cost of shipping, 13% Costa Rica sales tax and any other customs fees that may apply and associated with the import.
If the trend continues as it did with the iPhone 5 and iPads, pricing in Costa Rica will not be much higher than the US price. In the case of the iPad Mini, for instance, the pricing difference was only US$50 more at the Apple authorized stores.
