Is unlocked iphone from UK apple retail store the same as from online store

Question

Today I bought an unlocked iphone 4 from my local UK Apple Retail store. I explained to the store assistant that as I work abroad for several months at a time I needed to be able to use my iPhone with both a UK carrier( not sure which one to go with yet), and a local carrier when in another country, therefore I wanted an unlocked sim free one. I bought the 16gig version and payed the full £499 for it, however, when I got home and looked at the receipt it also lists a "No Contract Sim" with a part number but with a unit price of £0.00.
So I am confused..! Is this the same as the sim free iphone available from the online store and can I use it with any carrier by swapping the sim card depending on my needs? Or, is this some other kind of sim card that will lock the phone once I activate it the first time. I had assumed that by paying the full price I was getting an unlocked sim free phone as described on the UK online store description. If it is not, I will need to return it and order one online.

Answer 1

The iPhone could be purchased at full price only at retail stores not online at least in US:
This FAQ can be found on the US site with a little digging (read on to know why digging was necessary)
"Is a new contract with AT&T required?
A new 2-year commitment with AT&T is required when starting your purchase online. Additionally, the Apple Retail Store offers a no-commitment iPhone for the full retail price."
This lines above are the info that you can read in a pop-up FAQ that will appear if you click on one nicely hidden FAQ link, reading: "Is a new contract with AT&T required?", located on the bottom left corner of the ordering process area.
What is misleading is that the FAQs on the landing page where users can select a 3GS or a 4, the FAQ for "Can I buy an iPhone without an AT&T contract?" is answered with a straight "No. iPhone requires a two-year AT&T wireless service contract." Such statement applies only to online store purchases and that's a piece of info that only a more careful, meticulous and OCD reader may find out since another FAQ tucked away elsewhere (read below) says you can buy iPhones at full price by going to any Apple Retail Store.
There is no way for me to give you a direct link to the other FAQ stating that, because it's accessible only during a purchasing session, therefore you'll have to go through the few steps below if you want to read that FAQ by yourself:
1) Go to the online store,
2) Select the iPhone image to start the buying process,
3) Once on the page where you can choose the 3GS or the 4, select one,
4) On the next page you should see 3 FAQ links (gray text, the bottom left corner),
5) Click the one that reads: "Is a new contract with AT&T required?",
6) Read the FAQ in the pop-up that will open after you clicked on the link.
There are no further details about unlocking, jail-breaking or the fact that the iPhone 4 uses a micro SIM instead of a standard or mini SIM card so you may want to ask more info in that regard to a Genius at the Retail Store to learn more about how you can buy an iPhone and use it with another carrier outside US.
If UK and US sales work following the same rules, your iPhone bought online should be carrier-locked, so if you've got one that was unlocked and contract-free from the UK store then either you are lucky guy, or sales in UK are more flexible than US. In both cases what would count is that your phone is unlocked, now the info you may want to get is simply what SIM and Carrier services will work on your iPhone when you are in US.
Best to you and I hope some of these info will help you. Good luck!