iPhone 4S will be available unlocked by November in US

Apple US pre-order page for the iPhone 4S has finally come online, offering not only would-be buyers a choice of ATT, Sprint or Verizon options for the new dual-core smartphone but the promise of a contract-free, unlocked version in next month. According to the page, shoppers can "get iPhone unlocked and contract-free. Coming in November" paying the full, unsubsidized price for the handset but avoiding any agreement lock-in.

The option has already been made available at Apple UK, where customers can opt to pay £499, £599 and £699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB iPhone 4S versions respectively. In fact, Apple UK is only offering unlocked, SIM-free handsets: if buyers want a subsidized phone they they need to head over to one of the carriers for it.