A14 is a beast. Also, with Apple you know that the phone will be supported with software updates for more then 3 years. My iPhone 6S+ has been supported for 5 years of software updates. Paper specs are meaningless.
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iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini Cost $30 Extra for T-Mobile, Sprint, or SIM-Free Models [Updated]
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A14 is a beast. Also, with Apple you know that the phone will be supported with software updates for more then 3 years. My iPhone 6S+ has been supported for 5 years of software updates. Paper specs are meaningless.
Apple is doing false advertising, $729 is the real starting price unless you’re with Verizon or AT&T to get the $30 off “promo”. That’s why the sim-card free is also $729.
T-Mobile, at least for the last multiple years - possibly forever - has not charged an 'activation' fee like Verizon and AT&T (was on both networks prior to switching to T-Mobile about 4 or so years ago). Instead, they have always charged for the initial SIM card you need, but when you get a new phone, you can drop the existing in and as long as the phone works on the network (unlocked or T-Mobile specific version), there is no additional charge. Usually, I think Verizon and AT&T have the activation fees for new phones - whether those are [easily] waive-able or not upon request, I don't remember.
I know T-Mobile used to charge $25 for a SIM card, but I think they reduced it to $10 more recently (I know that in the summer, when my wife had to drop her corp. line and joined my T-Mobile plan, we were only charged $10 + tax, and I remember asking about it and being told they lowered the cost).
If this is a ploy by Verizon/AT&T to get folks to switch, and Apple is going along, shame on them all. Not sure why Apple would want to hype up those two giants vs. the others, unless maybe they are earning a commission. For those who end up buying unlocked, then take it to Verizon/AT&T for activation - sheesh!
Definitely an odd choice, and it doesn’t make sense, and it’s weird that it only applies to the non-pro phones.... but it is pretty dope that this year they’re selling the SIM free model right away
I find it amusing how everyone here complains about a $30 hike in the US for an unlocked model, while Canadians here are getting screwed over with exchange rate by paying $70-$100 more and not even getting mmWave in our models. 
Pretty bad.... I'm an Xfinity Mobile customer, which runs on Verizon... but I have to purchase the unlocked version. Stupid that it costs more to still use on their network.
It's obvious why. Verizon and AT&T are subsidizing the difference on the model likely to sell the most, because they are threatened by Tmobile. Tmobile passed up AT&T after acquiring Sprint and breathing down Verizon's neck, especially since Tmobile has more low and mid band 5G. Tmobile simply does not feel they need to subsidize.
This might have already been mentioned: my understanding is that Verizon models are unlocked out of the box anyway, because Verizon agreed to that condition when purchasing one of the bands it operates on. I've purchased a Verizon model outright in the store and stuck an ATT sim in it, and it worked no problem. Why would this be any different? Want to save $30, buy the Verizon model and stick a TMobile SIM into it.
Trashy move. I think it's Apple trying to get more for each activation and forcing the carrier to front the cost if they want to offer the customer "true pricing." This is likely to result in higher activation fees and "SIM card fees" over time as that cost gets passed onto consumers.
I don’t like Apple cozying up with Verizon—only slightly less evil than Comcast—and I really don’t like a price increase to work with TMO or SIM FREE. It makes no sense. These carriers also charge a ridiculous “activation fee” so maybe TMO is dropping that fee? Regardless, I’m not leaving TMO for the other carriers’ crappy customer service.
I don’t see a fee for t mobile. Is this from the carrier? Cause iPhone upgrade program isn’t 30 dollars more.
Per the CDC, the Infection Fatality rate is such that you have an overall 99.74% chance of survival if you catch it, 99.99% if you’re under 50.
Ok so looking through things a bit more.... The website now clearly states that every iPhone purchased outright will be unlocked. What is to stop me from purchasing the Verizon iPhone with the $30 discount and choosing the "activate later" option when purchasing? Seems a bit counterintuitive to have such an easy way out of the $30 price increase (assuming you can purchase the phone outright)? The website says "instant" discount which suggests it is applied at time of purchase instead of some rebate. I guess they could remove the "activate later" option to prevent this so I guess we shall see on pre-order day.
I didn’t know there was such a thing as a 5G Sim! I was just planning on buying an unlocked and moving my old XS Max pro’s sim over to the new unlocked! You mean I won’t be able to get 5G by doing this?
This is why I can't stand Tim Cook. Why are you screwing your royal customers like this? First, you claim environmental responsibility and remove power brick. That's all good, but then you RAISE the price? Then you make a sleazy move and "false advertise" iPhone's price?
I took my toe out of Apple Ecosystem by getting Galaxy Fold 2 and will probably go back to Apple once they release their foldable, but if you keep screwing with customers and the quality gap between Samsung and Apple continues to narrow, I am not so sure if I will have to go back.
If you wanna raise price, at least be a man about it. I don't remember Steve Jobs making sleazy moves like this.
I took my toe out of Apple Ecosystem by getting Galaxy Fold 2 and will probably go back to Apple once they release their foldable, but if you keep screwing with customers and the quality gap between Samsung and Apple continues to narrow, I am not so sure if I will have to go back.
If you wanna raise price, at least be a man about it. I don't remember Steve Jobs making sleazy moves like this.