Exchanged T-Mobile Contract-Free/Unlocked for the Sim-Free Factory Unlocked.

[ET iPhone Home]

You were able to do it??? I want to do it!

But I highly doubt that's normal. Or doable in most cases but I really need my thread back.

We got straight punk'd this year.

I guess those who waited it was definitely worth it this time.

Am I ticked off? A little. Do I really care. Not now. I changed my mind. Of course I wanted the TRUE unlocked but now it's too late. I got my 6 and I like it but the 6s will be better and we all know it.

I purchased mine sometime before Christmas which qualified me for the extended return/exchange policy of Jan. 8th. (two weeks from Dec. 25th.) I had my T-Mobile 6+ for almost 3 weeks so it was great timing for Apple to unveil the Sim-Free version today. Check to see if you qualify for the same return flexibility. I guess it would depend when you purchased yours.

 

[nouveau-apple]

I purchased mine sometime before Christmas which qualified me for the extended return/exchange policy of Jan. 8th. (two weeks from Dec. 25th.) I had my T-Mobile 6+ for almost 3 weeks so it was great timing for Apple to unveil the Sim-Free version today. Check to see if you qualify for the same return flexibility. I guess it would depend when you purchased yours.

Ohhhh I haven't even had my iPhone all that time.

That's the loophole I forgot about. Mwahhahahaha

I still won

 

[upnorth85]

I did not get an iPhone until the iPhone 6, because it did not have Wi-Fi calling which for someone like me who travels much internationally, is a free way to keep connected with family back home. I am not sure if the non T-mobile version will have Wi-Fi calling or not. T-mobile also gives free worldwide roaming on 2G and 3G. So for me, I would never roam on LTE when traveling international, so the current T-mobile version of iPhone 6/6+ is optimum. Are you a T-mobile customer? If so does the Wi-Fi calling still work on your new unlocked phone? Another advantage is that Delta/Gogo inflight provide free SMS texting on flights both within the US and also on international flights. I am not sure if the new version of the unlocked phone would be compatible for that or not.

I was wondering if anyone has exchanged their T-Mobile Contract-Free Unlocked 6/6+ for the Sim-Free version? I was able to do the exchange flawlessly at Apple today. The first store I went to sold the only single Sim Free Gold 64GB version once I arrived. Luckily, upon suggestion of the Apple guy, he suggested to secure the purchase online and pick it up it-store at another nearby Apple Store, which I did.

I was told by both stores that the Sim-Free is better of the two because of the additional bands. How do these additional bands benefit me? Would these extra bands benefit me internationally?

 

[ET iPhone Home]

There have been reports that all other unlocked phones (even AT&T's phone) would work on Verizon anyway (6 or 6 plus of course). People are saying, though, that one must already have an account with Verizon. They won't start a new account with that phone, for whatever reason. I imagine all of this would apply to your phone too.

What I don't undesrtand is why Apple doesn't just sell ONE iPhone model and then attach a carrier to it when it is purchased. Must be carrier agreements. Can't really think of anything else. Would make it a whole lot easier, as a customer, to tell them I want a 6 plus 64gb in silver and THEN have them ask me about carrier info/upgrades/loans etc.

I agree; this is what confused many like myself. I waited through Thanksgiving for this Sim-Free version until many advised to purchase the T-Mobile version. I'm glad I waited Christmas to make that purchase. That wait, unbeknownst to me, allowed me time to get this sim-free version.

 

[iosuser]

I did not get an iPhone until the iPhone 6, because it did not have Wi-Fi calling which for someone like me who travels much internationally, is a free way to keep connected with family back home. I am not sure if the non T-mobile version will have Wi-Fi calling or not. T-mobile also gives free worldwide roaming on 2G and 3G. So for me, I would never roam on LTE when traveling international, so the current T-mobile version of iPhone 6/6+ is optimum. Are you a T-mobile customer? If so does the Wi-Fi calling still work on your new unlocked phone? Another advantage is that Delta/Gogo inflight provide free SMS texting on flights both within the US and also on international flights. I am not sure if the new version of the unlocked phone would be compatible for that or not.

I took my ATT locked iPhone over to TMo, after I had it unlocked. As soon as I put my TMo sim in, it configured itself for TMo network, and wifi calling showed up. Haven't used it though, TMo signal is super around me.

 

[upnorth85]

That is very interesting. Thanks.

I took my ATT locked iPhone over to TMo, after I had it unlocked. As soon as I put my TMo sim in, it configured itself for TMo network, and wifi calling showed up. Haven't used it though, TMo signal is super around me.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Ohhhh I haven't even had my iPhone all that time.

That's the loophole I forgot about. Mwahhahahaha

I still won

You may run into difficulty trying to return a different serial number iPhone, the one that your insurance replaced for the original iPhone 6 that you allowed to get stolen.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I took my ATT locked iPhone over to TMo, after I had it unlocked. As soon as I put my TMo sim in, it configured itself for TMo network, and wifi calling showed up. Haven't used it though, TMo signal is super around me.

Can you explain this wi-fi calling through T-Mobile. How is it different from Viber? I'm joining T-Mobile this Sunday.

 

[Shadowbech]

So are you going to China or Japan?

I'm pretty sure it would also work in South Korea as well?

 

[OneMike]

Can you explain this wi-fi calling through T-Mobile. How is it different from Viber? I'm joining T-Mobile this Sunday.

Viber looks like Skype briefly viewing their site.

With t-mobile when On a Wi-Fi network you will use that to transmit the call rather then the cell tower. Same phone number. No extra app. Basically as you'd switch from LTE to Wi-Fi. That's how the Wi-Fi calls work.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

Viber looks like Skype briefly viewing their site.

With t-mobile when On a Wi-Fi network you will use that to transmit the call rather then the cell tower. Same phone number. No extra app. Basically as you'd switch from LTE to Wi-Fi. That's how the Wi-Fi calls work.

But rates still apply according to FAQ at T-Mobile. I thought it was free like Viber.

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9997

Also the Wi-Fi on/off toggle in SETTINGS must only appear with a T-Mobile GPA sim according to a video I watched. My 6+ doesn't show this in Settings.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

This here doesn't appear. I figure I need T-Mobile service for it to show. I would've thought it was a feature that would be there but grayed out.

 

[RayLancer]

The Apple Store has this in-stock vs the sold out T-Mobile version. I have T-Mobile. I looked at the LTE comparison and it should work with T-Mobile. But the chart they put up for carriers says otherwise. A bit confusing.

 

[upnorth85]

I copied this from The same page.


Calls
All incoming calls received over Wi-Fi Calling are $0.
Wi-Fi calls placed to the U.S. from anywhere are $0.
Wi-Fi calls placed to countries other than the U.S. are subject to Simple Global or International Long Distance Calling rates.

When you are on Wi-Fi calling even when overseas, it is just as if you were in the US. So you could receive and make calls back to the US for free. Because T-Mobile gives unlimited non LTE data free while roaming internationally, i keep my phone on all the time.

But rates still apply according to FAQ at T-Mobile. I thought it was free like Viber.

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9997

Also the Wi-Fi on/off toggle in SETTINGS must only appear with a T-Mobile GPA sim according to a video I watched. My 6+ doesn't show this in Settings.

 

[KPOM]

I never commented about it, just read the threads, so I won't be congratulating you. I thought the threads were funny though. But, yeah, you kind of got the last laugh.

Not really when in the end he bought a phone locked to T-Mobile. It's good that Apple is finally selling the global model unlocked here, though. I do wonder why they don't just sell the global model for all carriers. It would make SKU management a lot easier. Maybe it had something to do with their agreement with Sprint.

----------

The Apple Store has this in-stock vs the sold out T-Mobile version. I have T-Mobile. I looked at the LTE comparison and it should work with T-Mobile. But the chart they put up for carriers says otherwise. A bit confusing.

That chart basically just says what phone you'll get if you order it from that particular carrier. The global phone will work with all the same carriers that the T-Mobile version will, plus Sprint and the other carriers listed.

----------

I purchased mine sometime before Christmas which qualified me for the extended return/exchange policy of Jan. 8th. (two weeks from Dec. 25th.) I had my T-Mobile 6+ for almost 3 weeks so it was great timing for Apple to unveil the Sim-Free version today. Check to see if you qualify for the same return flexibility. I guess it would depend when you purchased yours.

Well, I got my phone within the extended return window, but during the Verizon unlimited data plan glitch. Returning that phone would require me giving up my Verizon UDP. 4 LTE bands that I'm not planning to use anytime soon aren't worth it.

 

[trife]

I'm planning on grabbing a 6+ on T-Mobile EIP from my local Apple Store on Friday. So which version will I get? Can I simply request the SIM-free model?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[OneMike]

But rates still apply according to FAQ at T-Mobile. I thought it was free like Viber.

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9997

Also the Wi-Fi on/off toggle in SETTINGS must only appear with a T-Mobile GPA sim according to a video I watched. My 6+ doesn't show this in Settings.

Yes it will depend on your plan. I have unlimited minutes. I forgot that they have limited plans other than high speed data.

Not sure about sim. I had ordered several when they were free a while ago

 

[Shadowbech]

I'm planning on grabbing a 6+ on T-Mobile EIP from my local Apple Store on Friday. So which version will I get? Can I simply request the SIM-free model?

Any help is appreciated.

If you are planning to do the T-Mobile EIP, I believe you would be getting the T-mobile model (A1522), which will have a T-Mo Sim card.

 

[trife]

If you are planning to do the T-Mobile EIP, I believe you would be getting the T-mobile model (A1522), which will have a T-Mo Sim card.

Yeah, after thinking about it for a minute, that was probably a dumb question lol.

I don't really have a need for the extra LTE bands, so the kinda-sorta unlocked TMO version will be just fine.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I copied this from The same page.


Calls
All incoming calls received over Wi-Fi Calling are $0.
Wi-Fi calls placed to the U.S. from anywhere are $0.
Wi-Fi calls placed to countries other than the U.S. are subject to Simple Global or International Long Distance Calling rates.

When you are on Wi-Fi calling even when overseas, it is just as if you were in the US. So you could receive and make calls back to the US for free. Because T-Mobile gives unlimited non LTE data free while roaming internationally, i keep my phone on all the time.

I read up on this whole wi-fi calling thing and realize the benefit is really only for those that travel international and want to call home, USA, for free. Or if you have a friend who may be traveling with you internationally and has a USA cell number that you'd like to call. The negative is you have to swap sims if you need to make local calls in the country you're visiting. And if you neglect to remove that international sim and insert the T-Mobile Sim and someone from home, USA, tries and calls you, they won't be able to connect. There's a lot of managing of sims to make these calls. Viber, for me, is still the way to go, but that too is hit and miss. Essentially, wi-fi calling is beneficial from one USA number to another USA number wherever you may be in the world.

 

[trife]

I read up on this whole wi-fi calling thing and realize the benefit is really only for those that travel international and want to call home, USA, for free. Or if you have a friend who may be traveling with you internationally and has a USA cell number that you'd like to call. The negative is you have to swap sims if you need to make local calls in the country you're visiting. And if you neglect to remove that international sim and insert the T-Mobile Sim and someone from home, USA, tries and calls you, they won't be able to connect. There's a lot of managing of sims to make these calls. Viber, for me, is still the way to go, but that too is hit and miss. Essentially, wi-fi calling is beneficial from one USA number to another USA number wherever you may be in the world.

Or if you have poor cell reception, but access to WiFi. That's the biggest benefit of WiFi calling, IMO.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

Or if you have poor cell reception, but access to WiFi. That's the biggest benefit of WiFi calling, IMO.

Yes, that too. I initially thought wi-fi calling was a way to call international numbers, landline or cell, for free, but not the case. Even then, it's still a nice feature.

 

[upnorth85]

I always have 2 phones, one local. So in India it will be local sim, likewise in China and a different phone in Turkey and so forth. Many locals such as cab drivers will not call international number so you do need to have a local sim so local business associates can call you. I do not mess with putting and removing sims. I have a world blackberry that I use just for local calls overseas.

I read up on this whole wi-fi calling thing and realize the benefit is really only for those that travel international and want to call home, USA, for free. Or if you have a friend who may be traveling with you internationally and has a USA cell number that you'd like to call. The negative is you have to swap sims if you need to make local calls in the country you're visiting. And if you neglect to remove that international sim and insert the T-Mobile Sim and someone from home, USA, tries and calls you, they won't be able to connect. There's a lot of managing of sims to make these calls. Viber, for me, is still the way to go, but that too is hit and miss. Essentially, wi-fi calling is beneficial from one USA number to another USA number wherever you may be in the world.

 

[Paco II]

May I ask, what is the obsession with this latest unlocked phone? Is it all really just about resale?

 

[Akack]

May I ask, what is the obsession with this latest unlocked phone? Is it all really just about resale?

It has 4 additional LTE bands so it can fully work with carriers located in Europe and Asia. If you don't travel frequently to those countries listed then it won't matter to you.