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gurase

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 12, 2015
275
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In the US, Apple typically waits at least a couple weeks after launch to release the sim free variant. It also usually has the best carrier flexibility among all the carrier variants. I waited for the sim free 6S+ and will do the same for the 8. What do you plan on doing, especially if you are not on one of the 4 major carriers?
 
No, I just upgrade directly through my carrier. I find it to be much easier of a transition this way.
 
I always upgrade through my carrier. Not waiting a couple of months for sim free. I'm happy with AT&T.
 
Wait, so on pre order night, I wont be able to pre order an unlocked phone?
 
Wait, so on pre order night, I wont be able to pre order an unlocked phone?

You can preorder the T-Mobile one unlocked and without entering carrier info. The T-Mobile variant of the 7 doesn't work on Verizon while the sim free does. It's different every year though. I always like to wait a couple weeks and get the most flexible model since I'm paying full price anyway.
 
If you don't have a need, do not wait for the SIM model because it takes a month to two months to come out.
 
You can preorder the T-Mobile one unlocked and without entering carrier info. The T-Mobile variant of the 7 doesn't work on Verizon while the sim free does. It's different every year though. I always like to wait a couple weeks and get the most flexible model since I'm paying full price anyway.


Ohhh ok. So I can pre order a T-Mobile to buy outright but you can't pre order a t mobile phone through the IUP( online, if your just joining)

Got it.
 
I remember that apple does offer Sim Free Financing program too
which is unlocked gsm -

but not sure in pre order day they have in list or not
 
It'll depend. If the Verizon version is effectively the same as what the SIM free version would be (bands and such), I'll just buy that. Otherwise I might choose to wait. I don't need to own the phone on day 1 (and with the limited supply, probably won't be able to).
 
Yes, I'm going to wait. I was a Verizon customer in the past and it didn't matter since the Verizon version is basically the sim free version. But now that I'm with T-Mo, I'll have to wait. I prefer to have a phone that works on all US carriers just in case. It would be nice if Apple would release the unlocked version simultaneously with the carrier versions this year like Samsung is doing with the Note 8.
 
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You can preorder the T-Mobile one unlocked and without entering carrier info. The T-Mobile variant of the 7 doesn't work on Verizon while the sim free does. It's different every year though. I always like to wait a couple weeks and get the most flexible model since I'm paying full price anyway.
Not sure if the policy has been changed or not, but can't you just walk into the store and ask for a verizon version and pay in full? I did that with my iPhone 5. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
 
Not sure if the policy has been changed or not, but can't you just walk into the store and ask for a verizon version and pay in full? I did that with my iPhone 5. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Yes you can. I'd just prefer not to drive to the mall with no guarantee any are in stock. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can reserve online if you're not a customer (same deal as online orders). If I wait until stock isn't an issue, the sim free version will likely be released already.
 
Yes you can. I'd just prefer not to drive to the mall with no guarantee any are in stock. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can reserve online if you're not a customer (same deal as online orders). If I wait until stock isn't an issue, the sim free version will likely be released already.

That's a long wait you're talking about. It's ok if you don't mind though.
 
That's a long wait you're talking about. It's ok if you don't mind though.

I got my sim free 6S+ in early-mid October 2015. The sim free 7 was released around the same time last year. Hardly a long wait in my eyes. I don't need it on release day.
 
I got my sim free 6S+ in early-mid October 2015. The sim free 7 was released around the same time last year. Hardly a long wait in my eyes. I don't need it on release day.

You're saying when stock is not an issue. I'm guessing that the device will be out of stock fir at least a few months in the beginning.

Although, I think you're from the USA where there's a difference in availability between sim free & carrier upgrade devices. In the UK they release all variants on the same day, so we can just order one directly from Apple.
 
You're saying when stock is not an issue. I'm guessing that the device will be out of stock fir at least a few months in the beginning.

Although, I think you're from the USA where there's a difference in availability between sim free & carrier upgrade devices. In the UK they release all variants on the same day, so we can just order one directly from Apple.

Yes, I'm in the US. I wish it was released at the same time as the other models because then trust me, I'd be right there preordering with everyone else haha. Maybe it will be different this year. I can dream.

In the past the news about the sim free release happens the morning it's first available. It's the same as the start of preordering, where they have stock available for immediate shipment if you order early (even if the other models are backordered). Or stores get a few in stock every couple days for reservations. But yeah, if the 8 will be way more limited stock than previous years then you're right, it could be harder. I guess I'm ok with ordering it online as soon as it comes out and getting it whenever.
 
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I'm on Total Wireless (Verizon MVNO), so I'll have to wait for the SIM free version. Either that or try to get a Verizon model in-store. I think I'd just rather wait for the SIM free version and have it shipped to my door.

I dunno. This is my first year paying in full. We'll see.
 
I'm on Total Wireless (Verizon MVNO), so I'll have to wait for the SIM free version. Either that or try to get a Verizon model in-store. I think I'd just rather wait for the SIM free version and have it shipped to my door.

I dunno. This is my first year paying in full. We'll see.

Yeah, having it shipped is way more convenient. In a past life I would have had fun hopping from store to store to find one in stock, but now I have a tiny tornado toddler who makes that much less enticing
 
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Yeah, having it shipped is way more convenient. In a past life I would have had fun hopping from store to store to find one in stock, but now I have a tiny tornado toddler who makes that much less enticing

You're not kidding. Shopping with small kids is warfare. I believe that the standard two-day shipping that we've gotten used to with Amazon and others is a gift from God to parents. :D
 
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Apple sells unlocked iPhones from day one of pre order here in UK, so I am just waiting to pre order the base model OLED iPhone and hopefully have it on launch day.
 
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