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Apple Card Monthly Financing No Longer Available for SIM-Free iPhones

GMShadow said:
ATT is a substandard carrier, so I'm not surprised. Verizon's phones are unlocked by default.
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"Devices that you purchase from Verizon are locked for 60 days after purchase. Devices that you purchase from one of our authorized retailers are locked for 60 days after activation. After 60 days, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently."

Device Unlocking Policies - Verizon website.
 
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I guess the 14 Pro I purchased SIM free via Apple Card payments is the last iPhone I‘ll be able to purchase SIM free. We’re with T-Mobile, but I have been thinking of switching my wife and I to a MNVO, so this could put a wrench in that if we do indeed switch.
 
CalMin said:
Respectfully, I disagree. Buying on credit is paying for something with money you don't have. Sure - you can make the payments each month, but that isn't the right way to think about money. What if something happens to your job, or if you have unexpected expenses.

When you buy it from money you have saved, you never need to think about the payment again. If you haven't saved the money then you can't purchase the phone.
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Fair point. What I said had many assumptions of ‘normalcy’ for that period of time, but I see your point.
 
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nburwell said:
I guess the 14 Pro I purchased SIM free via Apple Card payments is the last iPhone I‘ll be able to purchase SIM free. We’re with T-Mobile, but I have been thinking of switching my wife and I to a MNVO, so this could put a wrench in that if we do indeed switch.
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My wife and I were on T-Mobile and the cost compared to a good MVNO is just too much. US Mobile offers both Verizon and T-Mobile plans and it's half the price we were paying for the three lines (one "free" line) we had with them at around $145/month. IMO, the cost savings of switching is well worth it if you're not upgrading year over year.
 
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MrMojo1 said:
"Devices that you purchase from Verizon are locked for 60 days after purchase. Devices that you purchase from one of our authorized retailers are locked for 60 days after activation. After 60 days, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently."

Device Unlocking Policies - Verizon website.
Click to expand...

Which is not different from what I said. You don't have to request the unlock.
 
MrMojo1 said:
"Devices that you purchase from Verizon are locked for 60 days after purchase. Devices that you purchase from one of our authorized retailers are locked for 60 days after activation. After 60 days, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently."

Device Unlocking Policies - Verizon website.
Click to expand...
They all need to have that policy but don't
 
The only possible upside I can see from this (and it’s probably just me dreaming) is Apple discontinuing this feature so that they can roll out their new hardware subscription service that has been rumored for a year or two now starting with iPhone 15. But it still wouldn’t make sense why they still allow carrier-specific iPhones to use Apple Card financing.

Anyways, it may be petty, but this made me withdrawal all my money from my Apple Card savings account. My old high-yield savings account has surpassed Apple’s interest rate since Apple hasn’t raised theirs once since it launched despite multiple Fed interest rate increases. And honestly, my old savings account feels more predictable and established than Apple’s which still feels a bit half-baked.
 
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darkslide29 said:
In hindsight with the recent news, yes I agree with you. But saving $40/mo for 2 years to buy outright, or paying $40/mo for 2 years with 0% financing essentially feels exactly the same in a monthly budget. Either scenario is buying what I can afford.
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Lately, socking that amount/mo into a high yield (e.g. 4.25+%) savings on paper makes more sense. If it takes me 2 years to save up for a Pro, I may end up with almost 1 month's payment earned via interest.
 
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iPhone4Life1 said:
Almost like the iPhone upgrade program still exists, 0% and you only need to pay 12 months….
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iPhone Upgrade Program requires a postpaid account with a carrier. Meaning those people who are affected by this change (those that buy sim-free iPhones) are the same ones that can’t use iPhone Upgrade Program. Additionally, iPhone Upgrade Program forces you to pay for AppleCare+, which I have never once bought or needed.
 
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GMShadow said:
Which is not different from what I said. You don't have to request the unlock.
Click to expand...

Not trying to start a fight, but you originally stated...
"Verizon's phones are unlocked by default."

Even though it's technically 'unlocked', the 'exception' is that "within the first 60 days", the iPhone is locked, hence Verizon's disclosure on its website to make its unlocking policy clear to everyone.

Some people do buy the iPhone from their current carrier only to decide to leave within weeks, like within 60 days, so the exception applies to them.
You read that online at various comment boards.
 
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Syk said:
They all need to have that policy but don't
Click to expand...
Many telecom carriers (i.e. Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, Xfinity Mobile, Mint Mobile, etc...) have their Unlocking policy published online but searching for it is a hassle, as they know most people don't bother trying to learn about it.
At least Verizon states that it'll automatically unlock the iphone after 60 days whereas the Xfinity Mobile subscriber must contact the carrier after 60 days and goes through steps to unlock the smartphone.
It depends on each carrier's unlocking policy.

To avoid the 'unlocking issue', better to buy an Unlocked iPhone from Apple.
It does offer 'rebates' when new iPhones are released, maybe not as much as carrier rebates but it's still a rebate.
 
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Looks like I'll just use my current card and buy an unlocked that way and just pay it off instead of just spreading it out.
I was going to get an Apple Card to put the phone and move my monthly Apple services to the Apple Card but not worth it now.
I'm on FirstNet which is basically AT&T for 1st responders, you can still use your AT&T sim on their network so maybe I could still do the 0% but at this point I rather not play the if game. Almost hit submit on the AppleCard yesterday...whew
 
xxray said:
The only possible upside I can see from this (and it’s probably just me dreaming) is Apple discontinuing this feature so that they can roll out their new hardware subscription service that has been rumored for a year or two now starting with iPhone 15. But it still wouldn’t make sense why they still allow carrier-specific iPhones to use Apple Card financing.

Anyways, it may be petty, but this made me withdrawal all my money from my Apple Card savings account. My old high-yield savings account has surpassed Apple’s interest rate since Apple hasn’t raised theirs once since it launched despite multiple Fed interest rate increases. And honestly, my old savings account feels more predictable and established than Apple’s which still feels a bit half-baked.
Click to expand...
That'll teach them... Apple... I mean Goldman Sachs
 
We have T-mobile, and I just tried….if I use the Apple Store app to order an iPhone today on Apple Card payments over 24 months, it requires me to choose a carrier ( in this case I chose T-mobile), but then proceeds through checkout for delivery today or via shipping as before. Doesn’t ask me at all provide my tmobile info. So looks like functionally in regards to ordering other than clicking “t-mobile”, and esp it iPhone is unlocked anyways, nothing really changes for me in terms of ordering via Apple card payments as its not really asking me about any of my account info. Am I missing something?
 
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MacRumors said:


Apple today updated its U.S. Apple Card Monthly Installment plan to require those who use the feature to purchase an iPhone that is linked to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. With this change, the Apple Card Monthly Installment plan can no longer be used to purchase a SIM-free iPhone.

apple-card-feature2.jpg

All iPhones purchased through the Apple Card Monthly Installment plan are unlocked so carrier switching is available at any point, but at purchase, customers will need to have a plan with a supported carrier. Buying a SIM-free iPhone and linking it to a carrier like Mint Mobile will no longer be possible using installments.

Apple announced these changes in an updated support document back in June, and the monthly installment plan has officially been updated. Prior to now, Apple Card installments could be used to purchase an iPhone online with the option to connect to a carrier at a later date, which allowed customers to buy an iPhone and then link it to any carrier of their choosing.

Apple already required customers using Apple Card installments to choose one of the main three carriers when in stores, and now the online policy matches the in-store policy.

With the Apple Card Monthly Installment plan, Apple Card holders can pay for their devices over a 24-month period with 0% APR and 3% Daily Cash back on payments.

Apple today is also changing the monthly installment term for the Apple Watch, and customers will be required to pay off the device over 12 months instead of 24 months. Apple now uses a 12-month term for Apple Watch, Macs, displays, and iPads, with the 24-month term limited to the iPhone.

Article Link: Apple Card Monthly Financing No Longer Available for SIM-Free iPhon
Click to expand...
 
Does this mean that selecting a carrier means you're under a contract with that carrier?
 
Xavier said:
For real? Not cool. This is how I have bought my last few iPhones.

I can still buy through my carrier, great, but if Apple changes this for computers as well, whats the point in keeping this card? I can get much better perks with another card. Almost all incentive for Apple card would be gone.
Click to expand...

You can still buy the unlocked phone from Apple.

They're just not going to subsidize it by letting you finance it for 0% interest.

Use another credit card if you must finance, or buy it with cash.
 
fatTribble said:
My brain is in a fog today so please don’t yell at me.

But for those affected can you do the iPhone Upgrade Program and just keep the iPhone rather than getting a new one after a year?

You would have to get Apple Care but it’s not the worst thing.

I‘m really asking because I haven’t explored all the options.
Click to expand...
You don’t need an Apple Card to apply for the iPhone Upgrade Program.

iPhone Upgrade Program

Get a new iPhone every year, and the protection of AppleCare+ with the iPhone Upgrade Program. Buy now or visit an Apple Store today.
www.apple.com

As for “can you do the iPhone Upgrade Program and just keep the iPhone rather than getting a new one after a year?"

Yes, you can keep the iPhone for more than a year. The program just allows you to upgrade (i.e., trade in your present model for the latest model) as soon as six months after purchase and making 12 payments (e.g., you pay $474, 12 payments of $39.50). I purchased an iPhone X using the iPhone Upgrade Program and am still using the X, haven’t replaced/upgraded it yet.
 
PTVMan said:
Does this mean that selecting a carrier means you're under a contract with that carrier?
Click to expand...

Not for your cell plan. Yes for the financing - they're not gonna give you a $1000 phone without some sort of contract about you paying the money back. You're free to get out of that any time you want to by just paying off the phone.
 
Mint Mobile currently offers a 5GB data plan at a rate of $15 per month if paid in full annually. What are the closest plans and rates from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile whether the iPhone is paid in full or financed? Their rates are not forthcoming, shifty, and filled with piffle.
 
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