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iPhone 5S 16GB Space Grey $499 on Telstra Prepaid @ JB Hi-Fi

550

iPhone 5s features a 4-inch Retina display, an A7 chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, an 8-megapixel iSight camera, a FaceTime HD camera, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi1, iOS 9 and iCloud.

Available in store only and while stocks last. Space Grey colour only (SKU 878483).

Comes with a $30 Starter Kit plus activate the iPhone 5s on our Telstra Pre-Paid Freedom Plus offer and get an additional 5GB of Data to use in Australia.
1Data plan is required. 4G LTE is available in selected markets and through selected carriers. Speeds will vary based on site conditions. For details on 4G LTE support, contact your carrier and see www.apple.com/iphone/LTE.

ShootingStar3388 Has confirmed the stock is unlocked, However now there are conflicting reports. Maybe check with the store before purchasing, if they say it's unlocked then you should have grounds for a return.

*Network unlocking fee may apply, included credit expires after 28 days from date of activation, ID required. No Trade Sales. Things you need to know: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/General/Advertised-offers/#phones

Related Stores

JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

closed Comments

  • +2

    I thought iPhones always came unlocked now.

    • +2

      It's a prepaid phone - those are usually locked to the carrier.

      • any idea how much do they charge to unlock ?

        • +4
        • @magnafunk: EDIT: from the comment below about 5C deal seems like it's unlocked. But you can't be certain, that link above is an old page.

        • @magnafunk: I bought one today, it's locked..

        • @ppbargain: What response do you get if you put the IMEI in here? https://unlock.telstra.com/iphoneunlock/main?execution=e1s1

        • @UnciasDream: "If your mobile device is not an iPhone, iPad or a Pre-Paid service, it is already unlocked and you can insert another mobile provider's SIM card.", got this message, however, the phone shows network restriction when i tried with a vodafone sim, works fine with the telstra sim comes with the phone.

        • +2

          @ppbargain: Called them, they unlocked it for me free of charge.

    • +3

      Bought my wife the $399 5C deal from JB last year which was also a Telstra Prepaid and it was unlocked, so I'd assume these would be the same.

  • +32

    $500 for a 2 year old phone with enough storage for a couple of photos is a bargain, sheesh

    • +2

      It will have about 11GB free. This will hold more than a couple of photos, but yeah only good if you don't take too many videos and happy to offload the pics every month or two.

      • +2

        Or use iCloud Photo Library with the space saving setting switched on.

        • +1

          Google Photos is better unlimited storage for phone sized photos. :)

        • +6

          @malouphix: I'm generally pretty relaxed about online privacy but there are a few things I wouldn't give google and my photos are definitely one of them. That and the convenience of native app syncing across my phone, tablet and computers is worth the small amount I pay per month for iCloud storage space.

        • @tp0: But iCloud photos is OK? What's the difference? They're both hosted in a server somewhere in sydney. I have greater trust in Google's web security than Apple's. You can enable 2FA if you want too. Google are the biggest web company in the world, after all.

        • @stephendt: The difference is that Apple is very strongly dedicated to privacy and makes it very clear they have no interest in your data whereas Google is consistently vague and is very interested in scanning your data for metrics.

        • @tp0: ok.

        • @tp0:
          Yeah, Google really gives two shits about someone's photos. You cracked the conspiracy.

        • @PainToad: Well they're very interested in your emails, they scan all of those for keywords. They also scan your photos for what is in them however I don't think they use that information, just to provide a feature to users.

    • +3

      Yes and around 2 years ago some people got it for lest than this price even. :)
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/124085

  • +3

    My 5 cents in this.
    Last year around this time JB had sale for Iphone 5c 32GB Telstra Per-paid (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/172109).
    I bought 2 of them at that time and I can assure that those 5c phones were unlock.
    I guess we all will have to wait until someone brave will buy this one and share a news with us.

    • +8

      the phone is unlocked I have just completed Telstra's online chat 24/7 and gave them the IMEI no. on the iphone I just pruchased and she said it's unlocked.

      Here's a copy the chat http://imgur.com/RDRgGAQ

      • should've asked her out on a date too? ;)

      • I bought one from JB-hifi, its locked..

  • +3

    features a 4-inch

    Amazing!

    • +14

      I know! It's getting so hard to find small smartphones these days! I am astounded at this product.

      • +5

        Anything below 5.5 feels like a toy to me.

        Edit: and no, that's not what she said.

        • +4

          That comment has been there for 11 minutes and nothing?

        • +1

          @chloden: Toys are generally larger. There's really nothing in that comment to troll/snipe/bait =)

      • Perhaps we should get Apple to release a flip phone.

  • +1

    Please note these are also available at Telstra branded stores,

  • Do they sell it at the Telstra Store and would it be available in conjunction with this deal: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/219020

    • +1

      Won't work as this phone is classified as a prepaid and not an 'outright' purchase

  • +3

    16G is pain.

  • I know that some people prefer a smaller screen phone, but the bad thing about this one it has such a poor screen to body ratio that it's still almost as big as some phone that use ~4.5 inch screens. If you must have a small iPhone, then I guess you have no other choice, still not that small of a phone despite the small screen.

  • -1

    If you are not interested in the SIM, will they sell it to you outright without that? Just dont want a lot of SIM cards issued in my name.

    • +1

      Just dont want a lot of SIM cards issued in my name

      Why?

      • Thats cause I just need the phone and after 5 phones, you are not able to buy a phone online without an ID as per understanding.

    • +1

      Based on past experience with iPhone 5C prepaid, the SIM is included as part of the package and the SIM is not in a sealed starter pack. The SIM is in a slightly different packaging. However, JB Hi Fi did not request any ID (because it was prepaid and I don't think they realised there is an unsealed starter pack inside).

      • +1

        Not all PP devices need ID at the POS now. I've bought 2 prepaid Y550s from DSE with $50 starter packs, 2 Y550s from KMart (which had those $2 starter SIMs in the box), an Optus ZTE Fit from Officeworks and a Telstra Tempo from Target…and for good measure, $30 Telstra starter packs from HN too…

        I wasn't asked for ID for any of those…at DSE and Officeworks when I asked whether they need ID, they said they don't ID you when buying phones or SIMs now, because if you choose to activate the SIM in the package, you'll go through ID checks at that stage anyway. Coles will also sell $2 SIM starter packs without ID, citing the same reason i.e. the SIMs are inactive and will need ID at activation.

        Some managers may make you fill out the AMTA form regardless though…

        • +1

          What are you doing with so many phones?

        • +1

          @newozbargainermelb:

          2 of the Y550s were for a work colleague…the Telstra Tempo is a cheap alarm clock…ZTE Fit 4G is a bluetooth music player for the car.

          The other 2 Y550s will be gifts for relos when I travel overseas in a week or so.

        • +2

          @newozbargainermelb: You manage to grab a few over the years with ozbargain deals :)

        • +1

          @ozsniper: :) already have one that I bought via gumtree early this year. Bought a Nokia 532 from one of the ozb deals. Now, thinking of getting a decent budget android 4g to experience android. Optus zte fit vs Huawei y635 vs Telstra 4gx. Don't know what I'm going to do with so many phones ;)

          And I still have my Nokia n70 sitting in my drawers that I bought in 2006.

  • +2

    Who in their right mind would still pay $500 for one of these?

    • +14

      It's not $500 it's only $499

      • That's two soft serves cones right there. Imagine what else you could buy with that dollar saved!

        • I can see 1000 cones

  • +7

    It is actually a good price from a market point of view, Apple sells it for $750 and the price for a used one is around $350-370. Therefore, $499 is a good retail price.

    • Agree it's good price. However iPhone 5/5s have frequent screen tint problem, usually happens after about 1 year use. Otherwise 5s is still a fast, premium phone.

      • I think that's a warranty case even after a year under ACL.

        • Really? That would be great. Do you know of any related terms for this? I just checked accc website but failed to find any. Cheers

  • For $499 and a bit more gets you a much better phone that is not ifruit. Although that is subjective of course.

  • is this available nationwide jb hifi? can't find anything on their catalogue on this

    • The email didn't have any store exclusions, just mentioned while stocks last.

      • Apparently each store received 12 only

  • +1

    Deal is also available online for existing Telstra customers: https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/iph…

  • I use a 5C for work and if you're only interested in making calls and checking email, then it's ok. However, If this is all you are doing, I suggest something a little more economical. Maybe try Coles?

  • Will this work ok on the Optus network? I know it is unlocked. What I mean is, is there network band differences between an Optus and Telstra iPhone 5s?

    • The coverage should be the same.

  • +1

    Hi all, so this phone is definitely unlocked?
    I am just about to buy one to use for daily calls.

    Thankyou

    • Its locked, definitely!

  • it seems the phone is LOCKED. I gave them my IMEI at Telstra's online chat and they said it is locked. How is this possible? I thought all of them were unlocked

    • +1

      Have you already bought one? If so, can you please insert a different sim and let us know?? I'm also facing the same dilemma, but have not bout yet.

      • yeah I have just bought it this morning, but I don't have a different sim to try, that's my problem. Any other opinions/experiences?

      • +1

        I bought one from JB-hifi today, i tried with a vofafone sim, It's locked.

  • +1

    Hi, try to connect it to itunes on your pc or mac then perform restore. Upon completion, it should say congratulations your iphone is now unlocked. Please try it and see how you go.

    • +1

      Hi guys, htantoso is right.

      This is what Telstra has said to me this morning to do, as I haven't had a chance to set-up / use my new iphone 5S until now. Telstra has confirmed twice in writing to me that my phone is unlocked according to their system but people will still need to do a back up and restore as per Telstra's instructions below:

      http://imgur.com/6HSmN4z

      I will report back once this has all been done as it's taking some time to download the latest iOS back onto the phone and then restore.

      • Any word on if this worked?

        • +1

          I can't unlock it with Telstra's instructions above and in the queue with live chat 24/7 now to see what they can do.

        • +2

          Finally managed to unlock my iphone (free of charge) after talking to Telstra's unlocking team with the instructions below. This is despite Telstra telling me on 2 separate occasions the phone is already unlocked!

          iPhone unlocking instructions:

          If phone says “Activation Required” then follow the prompts to unlock iphone

          If phone says SOS only, then plug phone to ITUNES on a computer and connect computer to the internet wait for ITUNES to detect the phone, it will then ask for Apple ID then it will say “phone failed to activate” then unplug phone then plug it back in.

          It will ask for Apple ID again, just enter it and it will be unlocked If phone still has no coverage after unlocking, then go to settings>general>about then search for carrier, if carrier changed it is unlocked, if phone still has no coverage, please refer to service provider.

        • +2

          Finally managed to unlock my iphone (free of charge) after talking to Telstra's unlocking team with the instructions below. This is despite Telstra telling me on 2 separate occasions the phone is already unlocked!

          iPhone unlocking instructions:

          If phone says “Activation Required” then follow the prompts to unlock iphone

          If phone says SOS only, then plug phone to ITUNES on a computer and connect computer to the internet wait for ITUNES to detect the phone, it will then ask for Apple ID then it will say “phone failed to activate” then unplug phone then plug it back in.

          It will ask for Apple ID again, just enter it and it will be unlocked If phone still has no coverage after unlocking, then go to settings>general>about then search for carrier, if carrier changed it is unlocked, if phone still has no coverage, please refer to service provider.

  • Any cheap iphone 6?

    • +1

      Try looking for some used ones or in a few years time, the price should come down by then. In the meantime you're better off with the Lenovo K3 Note or Zenfone 2 if you want a decent cheap phone.

      • Thanks mate.

  • Bought one from JB hifi this afternoon, tried with a vodafone sim first, it's locked…. :(

    • Give Telstra a call, seems other people are having luck in getting them to unlock the phone for free.

      • Will give it a try tomorrow, thanks

      • +1

        Called them, they unlocked it for me free of charge,
        now its a very good deal, thanks UnciasDream :)

  • Have u tried to connect it to itunes and perform restore?

    • Tried, didn't work, need to call them, after they unlocked it, insert a sim from a different carrier, and then connecting to iTunes, Unlocked, yeah

  • Oh well no deal then if it is locked

  • I went to Jb HIFi yesterday afternoon, and the guy confirmed me that it is unlocked. He told me that the Telstra sim is a bonus only.

    Did not decide yesterday, will go there again. Just to seek your advice, if I find it locked afterwards, it will be still fine to return within 14 days, right?

    • +1

      3 days only for Apple products is what I was told

  • I just bought one from JB Belconnen (Canberra). It's locked. Attempting restore method mentioned above. Will report back if I manage to unlock.

    • +2

      Didn't work. Called Telstra twice, they unlocked it free of charge on second call.

      • Could u please tell us how did they help u to unlock it? thanks

        • +1

          I finally managed to unlock mine, here are the instructions:

          iPhone unlocking instructions:

          If phone says “Activation Required” then follow the prompts to unlock iphone

          If phone says SOS only, then plug phone to ITUNES on a computer and connect computer to the internet wait for ITUNES to detect the phone, it will then ask for Apple ID then it will say “phone failed to activate” then unplug phone then plug it back in.

          It will ask for Apple ID again, just enter it and it will be unlocked If phone still has no coverage after unlocking, then go to settings>general>about then search for carrier, if carrier changed it is unlocked, if phone still has no coverage, please refer to service provider.

        • +2

          @ShootingStar3388: Thanks! unlocked mine successfully, i think we need to call them first, after they unlocked it, connecting the phone to itunes, it will then be unlocked

        • +1

          you're welcome, enjoy!

          yes, for those who have yet to unlock theirs, it might be worthwhile calling the unlocking team first and giving them your IMEI first and then following these instructions.

  • Great device, still performs well in 2015. Considering Officeworks have begun clearing their stock, it must either be phasing out or due for a refresh. Either way, not going to find a brand new iPhone for less than $700 nowadays unfortunately. Good find

  • +2

    This is a bit worrisome.

    Went to Jb HiFi again today. The salesperson again confirmed be that it will be unlocked. He explained that Telstra will unlock it free of cost, and he will do it for me. Gave a call to Telstra and then confirmed me that I can use any sim now. Just checked with my Lebara sim card and it is not working!!

    Trying a few tricks mentioned above, if not working, I will go back to them tomorrow.

  • +4

    Good news guys. As I told you before, my iPhone was locked because when I tried to insert a Vodafone SIM, it didn't work. After that, I tried to restore it with iTunes and I called the Unlocking Team, I gave them the IMEI and they told me it was already unlocked. Then, I tried with the Vodafone SIM and it WORKED!!!!

    Some comments to help you:
    - It seems that, at the beginning, the iPhones are locked to Telstra. But it is also true that they can be unlocked without paying anything!!
    - Try to restore the iPhone. Otherwise, call the Unlocking Team, they will help you! (no unlocking fee). They told me this model is already unlocked, even though the Telstra Sim Started Pack says it is locked.

    Good luck!

    • +2

      btw, I bought two of them and it worked in both!

      • +1

        I finally got my phone unlocked for free after talking to the unlocking team as well, after they gave me some different instructions.

    • +1

      Do we really need iTunes for restore? Can we just use the Reset function on the phone? I'm just curious

      • Yes, you can use the Reset function on the iPhone. If you have any problem, use the Telstra's 24x7 Chat, they will help you

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