Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
If IUP phones are unlocked why do you have to pick a carrier to upgrade?
- Thread starter cybertek
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's to prevent scalpers and people shipping them overseas. Also probably a carrier agreement.
There are different radios in the phones depending on the carrier choice. Also Apple arranges with the carrier to have the phone already provisioned for your service choice so you simply need to activate it, rather than telling it what to activate. Also, I've read that starting Friday unlocked phones not tied to a specific carrier will be available, and it's up to the consumer to arrange activation. I assume this is to help prevent scalping.
SIM free phones typically don't come out for a minimum of two weeks after launch day. Last year 2 weeks, iPhone 6 was 3 months. It depends on availability of the device.
I read it here. I make no claims about its accuracy. It appears to not be sim-free.
Edit - after looking at ordering options more closely, if you pay in full or use Apple's IUP for an iPhone 7 it comes unlocked regardless of carrier. It's only on the carrier's installment plan (eg, ATT Next) that it's locked to carrier. No idea when SIM-free iPhone 7 will be available.
Last edited:
