iPhone 11 Pro any Europeans buying new iPhone 11 (Max) in the US?

[Geert76]

Any fellow Europeans who are heading to the US in the next couple of weeks and planning on buying the new iPhone 11 Pro (Max)?

I am travelling for about 3 weeks to the US, next week. And thinking about (trying) to buy a 11 Pro in one of the Apple Stores in the US.

It could save me about €170.

 

[delta0]

Savings are lost once you declare at customs which you will have to legally do as it is over the allowance.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I'm thinking about doing this. I'll be in the US one day after launch.

It's $1180 (with sales tax) in the US vs $1385 in Europe (1259 EUR), a bit more in the UK. And Apple pays more for your trade-in in the US, widening the gap.

There is a difference, however - the European and American models support different LTE bands:

Réseaux cellulaires et sans fil
Modèle A2215*

• FDD‑LTE (bandes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66)
• TD‑LTE (bandes 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)
• UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1 700/2 100, 1 900, 2 100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1 800, 1 900 MHz)

Cellular and Wireless
Model A2160*

• FDD‑LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71)
• TD‑LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)
• CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)
• UMTS/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

I'm not entirely sure what the difference is and if this varies by carrier (i.e. only certain EU carriers take advantage of these extra LTE bands). If anyone could enlighten us on this one, I'd be thankful.

 

[jongriff]

I bought my XS Max in Vegas last year on release day and traded in my X (I live in the UK). Had no issues with bands. Because I was using it opened it was never an issue with customs although I never considered declaring it. The best bit is the lack of regulatory markings on the back, looks much cleaner.

The watch was a different story as the US bands do not work in Europe so the cellular portion is not compatible.

 

[guicane]

Thanks @jongriff, that's helpful. I'm going next week and was thinking of buying the 11 Pro over there (I'm also in the UK). I guess the warranty is also international even for phones, right?

 

[nickosbad]

I’ve bought my last 3 iPhones (8, x and XS Max) in Orlando and I plan to buy a 11Pro Max in a few weeks when I go again!

I also bought an iPad Pro a few years back and got it home no problems!

ues...you “should” declare it but I never have....why would I??

I guess it also depends on where you’re coming from as to how likely Customs are to spot check you....i’ve never seen customs stop anyone from Orlando (and I’ve been 20+ times)

The phones are considerably cheaper and all I do is compare the trade in process on the day I’m buying....if I can get more by selling when I get home then that’s what I do!!

If you’re really bothered about getting caught...ditch the box...i’ve just left it in my hand luggage or hidden it in my daughters car seat!!

 

[Arcontia]

ues...you “should” declare it but I never have....why would I??

I guess it also depends on where you’re coming from as to how likely Customs are to spot check you....i’ve never seen customs stop anyone from Orlando (and I’ve been 20+ times)

You can get caught actually, and let me just say, it is not worth the repercussions. If you’re going to buy a new iPhone (or any product over the threshold) while overseas and not declare it when you return to your home country, you accept you’re doing the wrong thing and taking a real risk. Not get caught, sure, you get away with it and it most likely won’t ever come back to bite you, but if you do get caught, you’re in some pretty hot water.

I actually want to chip in with this, my (European) cousin bought a 6s back in its day while on holiday in the USA. Upon returning to Europe, she decided to take a risk and not declare it at customs - an officer asked her for a random check afterwards, as soon as they questioned her “...where’s the phone from?”, yeah, she got done big time. Not only pay the tax, but also there was a huge fine that came on top and time wasted at the airport. Plus some really hostile interrogations from the customs police - just trust me, it’s not worth it

 

[delta0]

Plus you can get a record and also get barred from entering countries due to customs violations.

 

[Elitegate]

Any fellow Europeans who are heading to the US in the next couple of weeks and planning on buying the new iPhone 11 Pro (Max)?

I am travelling for about 3 weeks to the US, next week. And thinking about (trying) to buy a 11 Pro in one of the Apple Stores in the US.

It could save me about €170.

An US iPhone should work in Europe without problems by now but don't forget that the one-year warranty is limited to the US. Apple won't repair or replace your iPhone in an European Apple Store.

 

[ericwn]

An US iPhone should work in Europe without problems by now but don't forget that the one-year warranty is limited to the US. Apple won't repair or replace your iPhone in an European Apple Store.

Do they have different components or what’s the reason for that? I was under the impression that anything can be serviced in warranty at an Apple Store. Is this documented somewhere that would tell us for sure?

 

[gigatoaster]

There are some bands that are not compatible but they will tell you in the Apple Store when you buy it.

You have been warned: it is your responsibility to pay duties when you come back to Europe. You know the risk.

Now let’s not be an hypocrite: I did it several times and some friends too. It is a risk but I know the trouble.

 

[Elitegate]

Do they have different components or what’s the reason for that? I was under the impression that anything can be serviced in warranty at an Apple Store. Is this documented somewhere that would tell us for sure?

I don't know the exact reason but it's in Apple's legal document for their warranty.

https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html

-------

Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD, APPLE TV and HOMEPOD SERVICE.

Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and HomePod to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.

-------

It's the same for the European version of this document. I also heard that the whole European Union does count as one country, but i am not 100% sure.

 

[PJM83]

Anyone scared of customs just put the phone in your pocket like your regular phone. Want the documentation and the box?- Just mail them to your home.

 

[pixel_junkie]

You can get caught actually, and let me just say, it is not worth the repercussions. If you’re going to buy a new iPhone (or any product over the threshold) while overseas and not declare it when you return to your home country, you accept you’re doing the wrong thing and taking a real risk. Not get caught, sure, you get away with it and it most likely won’t ever come back to bite you, but if you do get caught, you’re in some pretty hot water.

I actually want to chip in with this, my (European) cousin bought a 6s back in its day while on holiday in the USA. Upon returning to Europe, she decided to take a risk and not declare it at customs - an officer asked her for a random check afterwards, as soon as they questioned her “...where’s the phone from?”, yeah, she got done big time. Not only pay the tax, but also there was a huge fine that came on top and time wasted at the airport. Plus some really hostile interrogations from the customs police - just trust me, it’s not worth it

what? I call BS on this one. Tenths of thousands of people pass through customs each and every day, probably almost all with a cell phone in their hand but your cousin got stopped and questioned where it came from? If she was stupid enough to keep it boxed, yah maybe but thats just her own stupidity. If it was in use and in her pocket, how would they ever check. Not a chance ... it would never even get to the point of checking.