Apple sells pricey unlocked iPhones

Apple has started selling unlocked iPhone 4 models on their website, but the flexibility and freedom of having an unlocked phone comes at a price. The 16GB iPhone 4 is selling for $649 while the 32GB is selling for $749 — prices two to three times more than the price of locked phones with multiyear contracts. Apple is offering the unlocked iPhones in either black or white color.

Apple says “[The unlocked iPhone 4] arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you’ll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide.” According to Apple, if you travel a lot, you’ll even be able to use multiple carriers worldwide. In the U.S. however, it appears the unlocked phone will only work for AT&T and T-mobile networks, for now.

With an AT&T or Verizon contract, the 16GB iPhone 4 sells for $199 and the 32GB model sells for $299.