Carrier Apple sim-less vs carrier pre-order.. whats the difference?

[krishmk]

I have always ordered on Apple.com with sim free phone and was wondering why people buy a phone tied to carrier?

It is for IUP or anything else in particular?

 

[ruslan120]

I think financing plays a part

 

[nikhsub1]

From Apple...

Will my new iPhone be unlocked?
Nearly all iPhone models sold on apple.com and at the Apple Store are unlocked. This means they aren’t tied to a single carrier. The exception is when you buy an iPhone with AT&T Next. It will be tied — or locked — to AT&T.

• 
  Your iPhone will be unlocked when you:
  
• Choose any carrier and select One-time payment.
• Choose any carrier and select Apple iPhone Payments.
• Choose any carrier and either join or upgrade with the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program.
• Purchase a SIM-free model. This is like any other iPhone, just without a carrier nano-SIM card.
  Your iPhone will be locked when you:
  
• Choose AT&T as your carrier and pay with AT&T Next.

 

[jamesschmidtke]

I think the name makes it seem like it has no sim slot. I’m super excited this year I don’t have to wait for the unlocked model and was shocked as hell how fast it sold out. What model did you get?

 

[Lobwedgephil]

As said, IUP and carrier financing. Carrier financing is probably the number one seller of iPhones in the US. Very small percentage pay outright.

 

[Packers1958]

Verizon locks the iPhone for the first 60 days. I don't know about other carriers.