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Carrier Good news for dual SIM fans, buy iPhones in Hong Kong
- Thread starter pika2000
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I guess it depends on the damage. Apple has focused a lot more in trying to repair your device instead of just giving you a refurbished unit. Then again, I have a friend with a Japanese 6 Plus. She had it replaced with a Hong Kong unit in HK, and later a Singapore unit in Singapore. So I guess your theory is possible.
In short, the Hong Kongese iPhone models sold by Hong Kongers will probably demand a nice premium.
Let's be honest. Nobody gives a crap about eSIM because of its many limitations, controversies, and general gray area. Everybody would rather have true physical dual SIM. I would personally kill for an unlocked iPhone with dual SIM.
I use my iPhone for work and I also travel a lot, where it's always been a PITA to switch SIM cards several times daily to sms/call both local (foreign) and domestic numbers. The SIM tray has a tendency to get loose and wear out pretty fast if you open and close it several times a day.
So, to me, dual physical SIM is actually one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) selling point of the new iPhones.
Let's be honest. Nobody gives a crap about eSIM because of its many limitations, controversies, and general gray area. Everybody would rather have true physical dual SIM. I would personally kill for an unlocked iPhone with dual SIM.
I use my iPhone for work and I also travel a lot, where it's always been a PITA to switch SIM cards several times daily to sms/call both local (foreign) and domestic numbers. The SIM tray has a tendency to get loose and wear out pretty fast if you open and close it several times a day.
So, to me, dual physical SIM is actually one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) selling point of the new iPhones.
Well, the biggest annoyance is that they did not introduce physical dual SIM at XS size level. For me anything bigger than this is cumbersome to use with just one hand. Another issue of dual SIM is apparently inability to use iMessage under both numbers.
All Apple devices that can run without a power lead connected have a global warranty.
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It absolutely would/could not be very ironic.
Or, if for some reason, you want to switch phones temporarily. Until all phones have eSIMs, you would need a physical sim for the carrier to use with the other phone. Maybe you want to use an old phone before doing something that is risky for your phone.
I'm paranoid that the provider will lock the eSIM to them.
And as far as buying a Hong Kong iPhone, I get it, but I'd be paranoid it didn't have Band 71.
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Well, for one thing, you can bet the provider will want to charge you $15.00-$30.00 to set it up!
If people would like to buy any Apple products in HK, they should be reminded that Hong Kong is the only region in the world that Apple's 14-day return/exchange policy DOES NOT apply. In other words, you cannot refund or swap for a new phone once you pay. Even if the device is defective, they will only give you a refurbished phone that doesn't come with a box.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/15/apple-hk-stops-accepting-returns-exchanges/
I bought my iPhone XS Max 6 days ago. Now it's unresponsive when charging locked (not just that it won't charge, but the device becomes totally unresponsive when I plug in a cable). Went to Apple Store today but they won't refund or swap a new unit for me despite the fact that the device was bought only 6 days ago. They strongly recommended me to wait for a software update as this was widespread on the Internet already. (Though they mentioned that they **might be able to** get me a service unit at the manager's discretion.)
My decision was to wait for a few days until Apple releases a software update. If that doesn't help then the service unit seems to be my only option.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/15/apple-hk-stops-accepting-returns-exchanges/
I bought my iPhone XS Max 6 days ago. Now it's unresponsive when charging locked (not just that it won't charge, but the device becomes totally unresponsive when I plug in a cable). Went to Apple Store today but they won't refund or swap a new unit for me despite the fact that the device was bought only 6 days ago. They strongly recommended me to wait for a software update as this was widespread on the Internet already. (Though they mentioned that they **might be able to** get me a service unit at the manager's discretion.)
My decision was to wait for a few days until Apple releases a software update. If that doesn't help then the service unit seems to be my only option.
This is not true and the clause can be found in most countries Apple site on this page
From the US Site:
Apple warranty https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-rest-of-apac-english.html
IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD, APPLE TV AND HOMEPOD SERVICE.
Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and HomePod to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.
Apple Care Protection https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/appforiphonenaen.html
4. What is not Covered?
4.1 Hardware Service. Apple may restrict service to the Covered Equipment’s original Country of Purchase. The Plan does not apply to:
AppleCare+ https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/docs/applecareplusnaen.html
3. What is not Covered?
3.1 Hardware Services and ADH Services
Apple may restrict Hardware Service and ADH Services to the country where the Covered Equipment was originally purchased.
This does not mean you may not get help just it's not a given and when the repair infringes on local telecom regulations it may even be technically wrong for Apple to repair
Thanks for the information. Given the terms, I won't be buying the Hong Kong version. Too much risk for me, given the cost.
Sorry to hear this and exactly why I held off even though a few stores in KL reportedly have the HK and Singapore versions in stock at a premium of course
FYI quite a few places have equally restrictive un-opened box policy on 14 days that can only be exchanged
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I bought the iPhone XS Max and with regard to your comments that say, “it could be that once your e-sim is tied and active, you can’t use it on another network”!
I certainly hope that this is not the case because, I’ve always purchased unlocked iphones so that my iPhone is not tied to any network and can use any network Sim that I want to use and that goes for a second Sim, whether it’s a normal Sim or E-Sim!
If Apples intention is to lock the second Sim/E-Sim then they had better inform their buyers so that they can decide whether or not to return their purchase!
An unlocked iPhone should mean exactly that, regardless of how many Sims it has, E-Sim or normal Sim!
^^ This!
Unlocked means unlocked. Doesn't matter if it comes with one SIM or 10 SIM's. If you're going to sell an unlocked phone, then all must be unlocked. Otherwise, it's false advertising.
Apple Small print clause 11:
eSIM will be available later this year through a software update. Use of eSIM requires a wireless service plan (which may include restrictions on switching service providers and roaming, even after contract expiration). Not all carriers support eSIM. Use of eSIM in iPhone may be disabled when purchased from some carriers. See your carrier for details. To learn more, visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209044.
You should be better off in UK and some other places where sim unlocking is a consumer right, the US may have a tougher time with some carriers, but you should start with an official unlocked phone in the first place
Good find. But what's unclear from this clause is how the eSIM works when you buy an unlocked iPhone. In other words, a sim-free iPhone without a plan. I would certainly expect eSIM to be unlocked and ready to use with any compatible carrier that supports it.
If you bought the Sim-free iPhone at full price, you own it. Nobody can legally subsidize or lock or restrict its use with any carrier.
While I think most would agree with you, perhaps the carriers put language into their agreements with the end-user that allows them to lock an eSIM to their network. You do have an alternative if the carriers want to do this; continue to use a physical SIM or switch to a carrier that won't lock the eSIM.
NO! e-sim will not be locked
If your phone is unlocked- You will be able to load multiple e sims on your phone at the same time and switch and change physical sims whenever you like
If your phone is network locked- then you will only be able to load a e-sim with that network. The physical slot will also only work with that particular network
If your phone is unlocked- You will be able to load multiple e sims on your phone at the same time and switch and change physical sims whenever you like
If your phone is network locked- then you will only be able to load a e-sim with that network. The physical slot will also only work with that particular network
This is only half the story and what Apple clause 11 is pointing at amongst other things.
in the case you finish your contract or buy the phone outright before the contract end you may only get the nano sim unlocked
There may even be cases where carriers offer bundles or partnerships with other foreign carriers as a bundle nano/e sim, who knows what rights you may sign away in getting a deal
Congrats but I am glad I held off I can get a dual sim Note 9 $175 cheaper than the XR and $435 cheaper than the 64GB XS Max from Samsung and if I buy from an online dealer even cheaper
It would be greatly appreciated if someone here who owns the 'Hong Kong' version would kindly comment on the thread below, so that we can compare the Hong Kong version with the eSim version & establish whether the same issues exist.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/uk-esim-dual-sim-thread.2150657/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/uk-esim-dual-sim-thread.2150657/