Other iPhone 12 Pro: Sim Free or Carrier?

[Robdmb]

Question, looking to order an iPhone 12 Pro that would be activated on Verizon. Is there any difference between buying the Sim Free version versus the Verizon version? Are they both unlocked? Is the only difference the Verizon one comes with a Verizon sim? Any advice on which is better to purchase is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ta0jin]

Question, looking to order an iPhone 12 Pro that would be activated on Verizon. Is there any difference between buying the Sim Free version versus the Verizon version? Are they both unlocked? Is the only difference the Verizon one comes with a Verizon sim? Any advice on which is better to purchase is appreciated. Thanks.

Don’t quote me on this but my understanding is that the Verizon version is more or less the same as the unlocked but hopefully someone on here will check me on that fact.

 

[Bkdodger]

That's correct... Both are good for Verizon

If you go to pricing and where you select you will see below message...



All iPhone models are unlocked except those purchased with AT&T Installment Plans.

 

[Gator5000e]

So if you get the SIM free model, the SIM from my current X should fit in the 12, correct, as they both appear to use nano-SIM cards?

 

[hungryteresa]

It should fit, but you probably won't get 5G service. I believe you need a 5G sim card for that?

 

[oneteam]

I always get it sim free. I don't have to pay Verizon upgrade fee.

 

[menist]

I always get Sim-Free. I believe att/verizon have policy's where even if you pay it out right, it'll be locked for 60 days. After 60 days it'll unlock automatically for Verizon, for At&t you either call or use there online unlock portal.

 

[webbuzz]

So if you get the SIM free model, the SIM from my current X should fit in the 12, correct, as they both appear to use nano-SIM cards?

Correct, that is what I am doing. iPhone X to iPhone Pro Max.

 

[rKunda]

Can a phone bought locked to att be later used for Verizon (if unlocked). Silly question.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Don’t quote me on this but my understanding is that the Verizon version is more or less the same as the unlocked but hopefully someone on here will check me on that fact.

According to Apple.com, everything is unlocked unless you buy the AT&T version on installments.

 

[mdwsta4]

What is AT&T's installment plan? I plan on just paying for the phone in full at the time of purcahse so that would mean an AT&T phone would be unlocked?

 

[krifor03]

Can a phone bought locked to att be later used for Verizon (if unlocked). Silly question.

Yes, once you pay AT&T to release it after your payment term is up (and not a day before it). US iPhones come with all the GSM and CDMA receivers now, so gone are the Verizon/Sprint and Everyone else versions

 

[krifor03]

Get the Version/ AT&T version if you want to pay in installment via your cellular plan (you're also locked in for however long the term is). IMO, its just better to pay for the phone outright and have the freedom to move around if you want to 🤷‍♂️

 

[sheck]

I always get it sim free. I don't have to pay Verizon upgrade fee.

This is the way. Swap the sim and the carrier will never know.

However, you may need to call Verizon and give them the new IMEI to activate WiFi calling or LTE over Voice (never been a Verizon customer but I had to do that with AT&T). Still, this does not trigger an activation fee charge.

 

[GDF]

This is the way. Swap the sim and the carrier will never know.

However, you may need to call Verizon and give them the new IMEI to activate WiFi calling or LTE over Voice (never been a Verizon customer but I had to do that with AT&T). Still, this does not trigger an activation fee charge.

Will you need a new SIM to get 5g?

 

[krifor03]

Will you need a new SIM to get 5g?

No and maybe yes. 5G isn't based on your SIM. it's based on whether or not your phone as 5G transceivers and if your provider will allow existing customers to access their 5G networks (like T-Mo) without having to go through some stupid hoops. I would not think Verizon would do that (Could be wrong...)

 

[GDF]

No and maybe yes. 5G isn't based on your SIM. it's based on whether or not your phone as 5G transceivers and if your provider will allow existing customers to access their 5G networks (like T-Mo) without having to go through some stupid hoops. I would not think Verizon would do that (Could be wrong...)

Thanks, so for T-Mobile it will just work for 5g? If so glad there are no extra hoops. Wonder if AT&T is that easy too?

 

[soapropos]

I always get it sim free. I don't have to pay Verizon upgrade fee.

This is the way. Swap the sim and the carrier will never know.

However, you may need to call Verizon and give them the new IMEI to activate WiFi calling or LTE over Voice (never been a Verizon customer but I had to do that with AT&T). Still, this does not trigger an activation fee charge.

I got hit with the upgrade fee last year, but chatted with the support agent and got the fee refunded as a bill credit

 

[krifor03]

Thanks, so for T-Mobile it will just work for 5g? If so glad there are no extra hoops. Wonder if AT&T is that easy too?

Yes at T-Mo any customer (new or existing) that brings a 5G phone (that uses the same bands as T-Mo) to their network has access to their 5G network. This is why I would think all the other major carriers would be the same, they all more or less do the same thing to keep their customer base from leaving.

 

[soapropos]

I always get Sim-Free. I believe att/verizon have policy's where even if you pay it out right, it'll be locked for 60 days. After 60 days it'll unlock automatically for Verizon, for At&t you either call or use there online unlock portal.

If you buy directly from Apple (not through a carrier payment program), all phones are unlocked automatically.

 

[bradbomb]

Right now looking at https://www.apple.com/iphone/cellular/ there is only one model being sold in the US for ALL carriers and Sim Free. There are no differences in the US. Internationally, they are different because those don't have the mmWave bands on them.

This is definitely a different situation from previous models like the iPhone X where there were different models depending on carrier and sim free

 

[oneteam]

This is the way. Swap the sim and the carrier will never know.

However, you may need to call Verizon and give them the new IMEI to activate WiFi calling or LTE over Voice (never been a Verizon customer but I had to do that with AT&T). Still, this does not trigger an activation fee charge.

Nope. No need to contact customer service at all. The new phone immediately appears on your account and all features are available

 

[Shadowbech]

Can a phone bought locked to att be later used for Verizon (if unlocked). Silly question.

Yes, once it's unlocked, you can be on any carrier.

 

[krifor03]

Right now looking at https://www.apple.com/iphone/cellular/ there is only one model being sold in the US for ALL carriers and Sim Free. There are no differences in the US. Internationally, they are different because those don't have the mmWave bands on them.

This is definitely a different situation from previous models like the iPhone X where there were different models depending on carrier and sim free

Yeah the nonsense with the iPhone X. I was forced to buy the T-Mo version, SIM free wasn't released until WAY later. T-Mo was still factory unlocked but no CDMA antennas. Did I need them? No. Did I want them because I was dropping $1.2k on a phone? Hell's-to-the-F-Yeah I did

 

[bradbomb]

Yeah the nonsense with the iPhone X. I was forced to buy the T-Mo version, SIM free wasn't released until WAY later. T-Mo was still factory unlocked but no CDMA antennas. Did I need them? No. Did I want them because I was dropping $1.2k on a phone? Hell's-to-the-F-Yeah I did

Yea, I had bought the Verizon version and just popped in my AT&T sim in there. I am just now getting to replacing that with a 12 Pro and I'm going to still order the SIM Free version and use the Apple Card for installment payments. I'm hoping to transition my physical sim to an eSIM.