Based on calculations from available sources and data, Ron Reisinger at C|Net Blogs believes that it would maximize shareholder value and financially benefit Apple to unlock the iPhone.

"Now, assuming there are iPhone unlocks that are readily available and easy to use, most people say that Apple can expect 2 percent of the population to buy iPhones and immediately unlock them. Assuming that logic and using the 1 million iPhones sold already (although many more probably have been sold), we should assume that 20,000 iPhones will be sold in this quarter with unlocking as the main goal. Multiply that number times the amount of profit Apple expects from each iPhone sale, and the company nets a profit of $3 million," Mr. Reisinger wrote.

"Compare that to the amount of revenue lost from AT&T, and the company still realizes a profit of $2.3 million. Even further, if you assume all of the owners are not AT&T customers, Apple’s lost AT&T revenue from the sale of these 20,000 iPhones is only $660,000 for the quarter, which still keeps Apple well into the black.

After additional analysis, the author concluded that Apple stands to profit considerably from an unlocked iPhone. AT&T would resist, but an unlocked iPhone would open many doors for Apple.

"As a public company, it is incumbent upon Apple to maximize profit and shareholder value.... Sorry folks, but regardless of where you stand on this issue, business is business, and Apple should look out for itself -- no one else," the author wrote.

If current lawsuits, like those against T-Mobile and Apple regarding mobile phone locking are successful, that’s just what Apple may achieve.