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How to buy an unlocked iPhone 6s

Michael Kummer

Michael Kummer

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 18, 2015
21
4
Alpharetta, GA
Guys,

last year the "contract free" T-Mobile iPhone was unlocked, despite the lack of confirmation from Apple. This year, I have heard that's going to be the case again. So I'm betting on T-Mobile again - anyone else in the same boat?

Cheers
Michael
 
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Michael Kummer said:
Guys,

last year the "contract free" T-Mobile iPhone was unlocked, despite the lack of confirmation from Apple. This year, I have heard that's going to be the case again. So I'm betting on T-Mobile again - anyone else in the same boat?

Cheers
Michael
Click to expand...

T-Mobile will be unlocked. Apple just plays this word game with us every year.
 
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The TMobile, Verizon, and AT&T versions purchase through Apple's site are all unlocked correct? The difference being that the TMobile doesn't require any sort of account verification?

This year, the AT&T version is the one to get as it has an extra band specific to AT&T customers which should be very useful in urban areas.
 
bchreng said:
The TMobile, Verizon, and AT&T versions purchase through Apple's site are all unlocked correct? The difference being that the TMobile doesn't require any sort of account verification?

This year, the AT&T version is the one to get as it has an extra band specific to AT&T customers which should be very useful in urban areas.
Click to expand...

I don't think all of them are unlocked - at least last year that wasn't the case. Maybe this year, anything "contract free" is automatically unlocked but I wouldn't bet on it.

The AT&T version doesn't have anything specific as far as I know - compared to let's say another GSM model (T-Mobile).
 
Michael Kummer said:
I don't think all of them are unlocked - at least last year that wasn't the case. Maybe this year, anything "contract free" is automatically unlocked but I wouldn't bet on it.

The AT&T version doesn't have anything specific as far as I know - compared to let's say another GSM model (T-Mobile).
Click to expand...

AT&T version has LTE Band 30. The others do not.
 
Michael Kummer said:
I don't think all of them are unlocked - at least last year that wasn't the case. Maybe this year, anything "contract free" is automatically unlocked but I wouldn't bet on it.

The AT&T version doesn't have anything specific as far as I know - compared to let's say another GSM model (T-Mobile).
Click to expand...

Sorry but you are wrong. There are plenty of threads on here discussing these very same issues. Take a look. Heck, look at Apple's website on "Tech Specs" as far as the ATT models go, it quite clearly shows the addition of band 30. The only caveat would be is that there is a slight chance Apple includes band 30 on all phones and just doesn't advertise it.
 
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Thank you all for the info, just to clarify (I'm not sure how the stores work in the US) - would I have to buy from a T-Mobile store, or from the Apple store and sign up to T-Mobile (but then just use my own SIM) - assuming they are unlocked of course.
 
In the past if you bought a T-Mobile phone from apple it was unlocked, if you bought it directly from T-Mo it was not.
AT&T's were locked but if you were out of contract they would unlock it.
Sprint, would not unlock it at all (I don't know if anything has changed).
Verizon was the only one selling unlocked phones by default.

Since no one has the 6s yet its hard to say what they're doing for that phone but its been my understanding that not every carrier was selling unlocked and Sprint in particular (as noted) would not unlock it as a matter of policy
 
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Thank you very much maflynn - sounds like either T-Mobile or Verizon could be a good option then potentially, depending on what they do with the 6S. (though, as far as I know, T-Mobile is a better option if I want to bring it back to the UK because of the baseband they use)
 
fisherman188 said:
Sorry but you are wrong. There are plenty of threads on here discussing these very same issues. Take a look. Heck, look at Apple's website on "Tech Specs" as far as the ATT models go, it quite clearly shows the addition of band 30. The only caveat would be is that there is a slight chance Apple includes band 30 on all phones and just doesn't advertise it.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right, the AT&T model has LTE band 30 - at least according to Apple.com. I talked to the business team at my store and they didn't know any details or why this year the T-Mobile model is different.
 
Verizon version: 100% unlocked per US regulation.
Other versions: based on forums, they are unlocked if purchased in full price (no contract) from Apple.
 
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Sorry just to confirm, Verizon iPhones are all unlocked, but you have to register them with Verizon before you can use them?
 
Thanks, I looked it up earlier (i.e. this thread) and it seems like it should be okay for international use :)

One thing which sucks is that I only have a micro sim which means I won't have an easy way to test it whilst I'm out there either.
 
blizeH said:
Thanks, I looked it up earlier (i.e. this thread) and it seems like it should be okay for international use :)

One thing which sucks is that I only have a micro sim which means I won't have an easy way to test it whilst I'm out there either.
Click to expand...

Cut your current SIM down to Nano size, pop it in an adaptor to make it Micro SIM sized and continue using it.

Then, come the time, you'll be able to pop it in to test a 6S. ;)
 
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Is the LTE band 30 even supported by AT&T yet? Didn't know if there would be a reason to get it over the T-mobile version because I'm on Cricket which uses AT&T's lines.
 
reyalP said:
Is the LTE band 30 even supported by AT&T yet? Didn't know if there would be a reason to get it over the T-mobile version because I'm on Cricket which uses AT&T's lines.
Click to expand...

It apparently has started rolling out. If your service is fine, I would not worry about it. It is mostly to help people maintain faster LTE speeds in congested areas. If you are on cricket, you are capped at 8mbps, so band 30 is even less important.
 
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So I tried ordering a pay in full unlocked ATT phone online but could not proceed without getting a new account. Has anyone gone to an Apple Store and able to preorder the unlocked phone sim-less?
 
blizeH said:
Sorry just to confirm, Verizon iPhones are all unlocked, but you have to register them with Verizon before you can use them?
Click to expand...
No. It is unlocked out of the box. I have the Verizon iPhone 5, never call or talk to Verizon, used the phone with plenty of GSM providers worldwide without issues.
 
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minicard said:
So I tried ordering a pay in full unlocked ATT phone online but could not proceed without getting a new account. Has anyone gone to an Apple Store and able to preorder the unlocked phone sim-less?
Click to expand...

The t-mobile variant is the only one you can buy online for full retail without the specific carrier. If you want the ATT one, you would have to pick it up in store. It may be 50/50 if they let you buy it without ATT service. Buying online for in store pick up does not require you to enter carrier info though.

The t-mobile version should be unlocked and work on all of the carriers.
 
minicard said:
So I tried ordering a pay in full unlocked ATT phone online but could not proceed without getting a new account. Has anyone gone to an Apple Store and able to preorder the unlocked phone sim-less?
Click to expand...

You can't preorder in store. When they go on sale next Friday, you can go down to the store and buy any phone "device only". The official "sim free" model probably won't be out for a few more months.
 
Broadus said:
Could the carrier block it because of its IMEI?
Click to expand...

ATT and tmobile take any GSM unlocked phone. Verizon use to only take phones that were Verizon models, but about a month ago they changed the policy.

What carrier are you looking to use your phone on?
 
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