Do you have to hit a button to toggle between the two? Or does the phone switch between the two carriers depending on signal strength?
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Best Buy Now Sells Unlocked iPhones, But Not the Latest Models
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Pretty sure Verizon automatically unlocks after 60 days -- No SIM restrictions. This is ideal if you travel to another country and want to use a local SIM. You're still on the hook for paying for the phone whether you stick with Verizon or port. AT&T makes you call in to have it unlocked after the device has been paid in-full -- at least that's how it used to be done.
Does not apply to iPhones. iPhones come from factory with no carrier software on them.
The locked period varies per carrier, esp. by MVNOs, in the U.S.
Xfinity Mobile used to give decent rebates on new iPhones but you have to stay with them for 60 days before they unlock the iPhone which takes an add. ~1~2 weeks more, even after you've paid for the iPhone in Full!
Now, the company raised its rates and locks you into a 2 year contract as the 'rebate' is spread out over 24 months! If you decide to pay off the iPhone contract early, then you get hit with the full price of the device.
Mint Mobile makes you stay for 1 year before it unlocks its smartphones. For people who choose the company's 1 year prepaid plan, it's not an issue but for others who choose the shorter plans, forget about buying any smartphones from Mint Mobile.
It's simpler to buy an Unlocked iPhone from Apple directly when it comes out, sometimes with a generous rebate.
For those that wait, buying a refurbished iPhone is good but you must look at the seller and condition/prices of the iPhones. Sometimes, Apple may not have the previous year's model available yet but an Amazon seller or online seller at other websites have it available used.
Caveat beware. If you're lucky, you'll get a nice used iPhone, esp. one with AppleCare still available or attached to it.
Buying a refurbished iPhone from Apple is nice as it comes with a standard 1 year warranty and replaced the case/battery with a newer one and tested the device before it's sold. Did that once and won't hesitate to buy directly from Apple, whether or it's new or refurbished, as either is eligible for AppleCare.
Xfinity Mobile used to give decent rebates on new iPhones but you have to stay with them for 60 days before they unlock the iPhone which takes an add. ~1~2 weeks more, even after you've paid for the iPhone in Full!
Now, the company raised its rates and locks you into a 2 year contract as the 'rebate' is spread out over 24 months! If you decide to pay off the iPhone contract early, then you get hit with the full price of the device.
Mint Mobile makes you stay for 1 year before it unlocks its smartphones. For people who choose the company's 1 year prepaid plan, it's not an issue but for others who choose the shorter plans, forget about buying any smartphones from Mint Mobile.
It's simpler to buy an Unlocked iPhone from Apple directly when it comes out, sometimes with a generous rebate.
For those that wait, buying a refurbished iPhone is good but you must look at the seller and condition/prices of the iPhones. Sometimes, Apple may not have the previous year's model available yet but an Amazon seller or online seller at other websites have it available used.
Caveat beware. If you're lucky, you'll get a nice used iPhone, esp. one with AppleCare still available or attached to it.
Buying a refurbished iPhone from Apple is nice as it comes with a standard 1 year warranty and replaced the case/battery with a newer one and tested the device before it's sold. Did that once and won't hesitate to buy directly from Apple, whether or it's new or refurbished, as either is eligible for AppleCare.
You can still buy a phone on a 24 month contract here with a raised monthly fee (a finance deal), but sell that phone the same day. You still have to pay the 24 months full amount of course. No need to lock the phone, you can’t terminate the contract if you sell the phone, or plainly don’t use the line at all.
And to keep a relatively low value item such as a phone as collateral seems pointless and costly. The potential repo must cost more than the value of the phone itself.
I understand that the US and Swedish markets are different of course, but there’s got to be a business/financial reason that the service providers quit locking phones here, and it’s not for charity, that’s for sure.
When calling or texting, there's a menu option at the top for you to choose between the 2 numbers. Your default number is used every time you make a call or send a text unless you change it.
Read they are all going to the 60 day thing, and you can request an AT&T Unlock Online now:
For calls and texts, you have to manually pick one. For data, you can select the option ‘Allow Cellular Data Switching’ and iPhone will use whichever network has the best signal. You will see that option if have dual sims active.
I am surprised that Samsung still lets the carriers push them around. Galaxy phones are also very popular in the USA. I am sure Samsung could take a "we are not doing that... take it or leave it!" stance... and the carriers would cave. No carrier would want to be the one who doesn't carry the new Galaxy S phone.
I’ve gotten unlocked iPhones from them in the past. They just sell the current model in the spring around this time. I imagine they will get the 14 series unlocked next month.
Best Buy today announced that it now sells unlocked iPhones in the U.S., but only older models are available, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE. An unlocked iPhone can be used with a wide variety of carriers.
The unlocked iPhones are in brand new condition and are available at all Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com starting today, a Best Buy spokesperson said in an email.
Best Buy already sold iPhones locked to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and availability of unlocked models will give customers more flexibility. Best Buy operates over 1,000 stores across the U.S., including in many communities that lack an Apple Store.
Best Buy is not carrying unlocked iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro models at this time.
Article Link: Best Buy Now Sells Unlocked iPhones, But Not the Latest Models
I’m so glad that this practice stopped many years ago in Australia.
You got it backwards. OEMs pay the carriers (with promo/MDF/supplemental funding), and the OEMs don't care what carrier software goes on the device.
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Another benefit of unlocked phones: the resale value is way higher. The used market basically demands an unlocked phone.
I wish locked phones would die. There is no free lunch. It's pay me now or pay me later.
I wish locked phones would die. There is no free lunch. It's pay me now or pay me later.
Question-is all new iPhone on Apple Store unlocked? When I ordered my 14PM, it said I can choose a carrier to have them do my eSim or choose a carrier later. I'm just hoping both options are the same. Can anyone confirm? I better not get any T-mobile bloatware considering I paid full price on Apple website.
