Buying new iPhone, but leaving US in 4 months (moving to Europe)

[leptons]

I'm currently using a 2+ year old iPhone 5C with a freshly cracked screen. I was planning on having it last me until June of this year when I move to Eastern France/Geneva area -- but now with the cracks and chunks of glass missing I don't think that's feasible.

What is my best option here? I'm currently with Verizon but of course I can't be in Europe. Should I just buy a new unlocked iPhone, use Verizon for the next 4 months, and connect it with another carrier for a year once I've moved? Should I have any problems connecting an unlocked iPhone there?

Thanks!

 

[C DM]

A SIM-free version would be unlocked and work with basically any carrier.

 

[OllyW]

A SIM-free version would be unlocked and work with basically any carrier.

It will also be cheaper in the USA.

 

[RickyB]

It will also be cheaper in the USA.

Not necessarily. Just looking at the Verizon Website, an iPhone 5S costs $449, whilst on Orange France it costs €399.90 ($445.28). Call plans are considerably cheaper in France - Verizon charges €30 per month for 1Gb data whilst Orange France charges €14.99. Ok, Verizon gives unlimited minutes and orange doesn't, but it's still,less than half price.

Have you looked into getting your 5C fixed? I may be wrong, but I think it will work on son-US network without unlocking.

One other thing to check - if you're in Switzerland as well, a Swiss SIM might be cheaper - and be aware of roaming charges.

 

[thewitt]

Be sure to check the LTE coverage on Apple's website, as different versions work with different LTE frequencies in different countries.

 

[OllyW]

Not necessarily. Just looking at the Verizon Website, an iPhone 5S costs $449, whilst on Orange France it costs €399.90 ($445.28). Call plans are considerably cheaper in France - Verizon charges €30 per month for 1Gb data whilst Orange France charges €14.99. Ok, Verizon gives unlimited minutes and orange doesn't, but it's still,less than half price.

I was responding to the member who suggested getting an unlocked SIM-free iPhone which is cheaper in the US.

 

[RickyB]

I was responding to the member who suggested getting an unlocked SIM-free iPhone which is cheaper in the US.

Fair enough, although for unlocked iPhones, the US isn't necessarily the cheapest. Looking at the Apple Store, the iPhone 5s is $450 plus tax SIM-free. In the UK, you can get an unlocked 5s from giffgaff (no contract) for £269 ($384.15) including tax.

Not sure if there is something similar in France, but it's worth looking into.

Of course there may also be a cheaper way to get it in the states.

 

[OllyW]

Fair enough, although for unlocked iPhones, the US isn't necessarily the cheapest. Looking at the Apple Store, the iPhone 5s is $450 plus tax SIM-free. In the UK, you can get an unlocked 5s from giffgaff (no contract) for £269 ($384.15) including tax.

Not sure if there is something similar in France, but it's worth looking into.

Of course there may also be a cheaper way to get it in the states.

That's interesting, giffgaff are also selling the 6S for £40 cheaper than Apple which is good but not as good as the £110 they have knocked off the 5S.

 

[RickyB]

That's interesting, giffgaff are also selling the 6S for £40 cheaper than Apple which is good but not as good as the £110 they have knocked off the 5S.

That's where I got my iPhone 6. For anyone in the UK giffgaff are great!

 

[Farsider]

.....except in the City of London where they suck