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Virgin slashes contract-free iPhones, iPhone 5s starts at $385 and iPhone 5c starts at $315

From 9to5Toys.com:

Screenshot 2014-03-21 10.12.36

Virgin Mobile, a Sprint subsidiary, is offering the iPhone 5s contract free for some pretty unheard of prices right now.  The 16GB iPhone 5s is going for $385 without a contract in Gold (best), Space Gray and White.  A 32GB iPhone 5s will run you $455 while a 64GB iPhone 5s will run you $525.

Screenshot 2014-03-21 10.19.18

Virgin is also slashing the prices on the iPhone 5c with the 16GB model in all colors is $315 while the 32GB model is $385. Those are easily the lowest prices we’ve seen for the current generation iPhones.

What’s the catch?

The catch, if you want to call it that, is that these are locked to Sprint’s Virgin subsidiary.  While Sprint’s 3G and 4G network isn’t always rated the best, it is nationwide and Virgin Mobile also has the lowest unlimited data plans starting at $30/month.

Also a little birdie told us that you can actually unlock the Virgin iPhones for about $130 at Chronic Unlocks giving you a new, unlocked iPhone 5s for just over $500. 

For those who were considering an iPhone but hesitated at the costs, that’s around $1000 bucks for a current generation iPhone and 2 years of unlimited data. You won’t find anything lower.

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Comments

  1. Jeff Blakeman (@sujovian) - 10 years ago

    fix your headline. 5c starts at $315

  2. Antron Benbow (@Tron24) - 10 years ago

    What I don’t understand is can you purchase their iPhones outright, have them unlocked and use them on a GSM carrier of your choice? The FAQs are either vague or I might just not be understanding them.

    • B Vox (@B_Vox_Pro) - 10 years ago

      The info isn’t clear. According to the info, you may buy an iPhone 5s 16gb for $385, and use it in another country with other GSM card company vs a $650 model from Apple Store? Sounds weird.

  3. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

    This whole “article” is just an advertisement. You people should be ashamed. How much did Virgin pay you to run this?

  4. Kuldip Sunny Kainth - 10 years ago

    Lame, would have bought in a heartbeat if it wasn’t locked to Sprint/Virgin :(

    • Yunhua Ji - 10 years ago

      Isn’t it contract free from the title? Contract free but not carrier free?

      • Robert Vitalis (@ogun7) - 10 years ago

        exactly, not carrier free. I just got off chat with Virgin Mobile customer service. The phones CANNOT be unlocked by them. Even if you cancel. You’re free to verify it with them.

  5. Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

    Now if only their network was worth anything whatsoever.

  6. Ben Marten - 10 years ago

    Does anybody know if I can use the Virgin iPhone in Europe (Germany) without modifications? If not: Is there a netlock or simlock? Can I unlock the phone with a jailbreak or a IMEI whitelisting or only a hardware modification?

  7. yuniverse7 - 10 years ago

    You can’t even use these on Sprint, but just Virgin even though they are pretty much on a same network?

  8. Daniel Clemens - 10 years ago

    Does this work with Verizon or not?

  9. bk9876 - 10 years ago

    Considering the iphone costs $2400 after 2 yr contract…this is a good deal

    • Lincoln Sills - 10 years ago

      How did you get that number… $2,400? I’m not being a troll like @Tallest Ski, I am truly curious.

      • Yunhua Ji - 10 years ago

        He included all your mobile fees for 2 years, with his expensive monthly contract fee I guess. 200+92*24

  10. Lincoln Sills - 10 years ago

    You can unlock Virgin USA iPhones for $149 here at http://chronicunlocks.com. I have used him multiple times for AT&T. Very reliable company.

    • donairecb - 9 years ago

      How sure are you about that? I just took a look at the website for a minute and I don’t see an option for Virgin Mobile USA unlock.

  11. chasinvictoria - 10 years ago

    Have to point out that under US law, you cannot legally unlock these Virgin Mobile phones without the carrier’s okay, which you are never going to get. You save a lot (a LOT) of money over the course of two-three years of normal use, but after that you have a virtually unsellable brick when you want to upgrade. Caveat emptor!

    • Lincoln Sills - 10 years ago

      I think you are mistaken as the US House passed a bill explicitly allowing the owner of the cell phone to unlock it. Perhaps you are getting the tablet jailbreak law confused.

      http://goo.gl/AQtqqZ

  12. maxmxmk - 10 years ago

    Can I activate and use iPhone 5S in Ukraine?

Author

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Seth Weintraub

Publisher and Editorial Director of the 9to5/Electrek sites.


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