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1. If you buy through Apple, you may not need a plan at all. It may be sold unactivated, and it might be possible to use pay-as-you-go (prepaid) SIMs from AT&T, etc., but we won't know for sure until Friday (or until more information is released).

2. You'll never pay for the entirety of a plan up front. You'll have a credit check, and you'll start getting billed for whatever plan you chose monthly. There is nothing magical about it.
 
Yup still gonna puke.

But really...I doubt Apple will make you pay for a plan that is not where they're going to make their money.
 
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