iPhone 6 that works on T-mobile USA and in India TD 2300 LTE

[oshogg]

I am currently a T-mobile customer. I am interested in purchasing a iPhone 6 in USA that works with LTE on both T-mobile in USA and on Airtel in India (TDD 2300 band). Based on

https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

I should buy A1586 (GSM or CDMA) in which T-mobile SIM will work. But, I cannot figure out where I can buy such a device at the full price in USA.

If I buy it from Sprint, I understand they will not unlock it even if I buy it at full price (even if I open a non-contract account with them temporarily). Even when Sprint unlocks it, it is only international unlock.

I cannot wait until I go to India to buy the phone in India as that could be a few months or more. But, I want to make sure that LTE will work when I do go to India.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Osho

 

[azhagan]

Hey Osho,

Looks like A1586, is used by SPRINT and several other CDMA based carriers in the US, including US Cellular. SPRINT keeps their SIM slot locked, but US Cellular does not according to their website. That maybe the best option. I don't know if they will sell a phone to you without a US Cellular account.

Thanks,
ILLY

 

[CEmajr]

You can't buy that model unlocked in the US. US Cellular will not unlock theirs and neither will Sprint even if you pay full price for it.

 

[KPOM]

You can't buy that model unlocked in the US. US Cellular will not unlock theirs and neither will Sprint even if you pay full price for it.

US Cellular will unlock the iPhone 5s, so my guess is that eventually they will unlock the iPhone 6. However, someone on HowardForums tried this a few weeks ago, and it appears that US Cellular hasn't yet added the iPhone 6 to the "unlock" list.

The A1586 is sold as the unlocked version in Europe, so if the OP has any connections in Europe, that may work.

 

[upnorth85]

I traveled to India on business last week with an iPhone 6+ and had no problem connecting to the 3G network there. I also had a local Airtel SIM on a separate phone for non roaming calls. But since T-mobile gives free unlimited 3G data worldwide, I never had a problem for my short visit.

I am currently a T-mobile customer. I am interested in purchasing a iPhone 6 in USA that works with LTE on both T-mobile in USA and on Airtel in India (TDD 2300 band). Based on

https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

I should buy A1586 (GSM or CDMA) in which T-mobile SIM will work. But, I cannot figure out where I can buy such a device at the full price in USA.

If I buy it from Sprint, I understand they will not unlock it even if I buy it at full price (even if I open a non-contract account with them temporarily). Even when Sprint unlocks it, it is only international unlock.

I cannot wait until I go to India to buy the phone in India as that could be a few months or more. But, I want to make sure that LTE will work when I do go to India.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Osho

 

[oshogg]

I traveled to India on business last week with an iPhone 6+ and had no problem connecting to the 3G network there. I also had a local Airtel SIM on a separate phone for non roaming calls. But since T-mobile gives free unlimited 3G data worldwide, I never had a problem for my short visit.

Thanks for sharing the info. Yes, you won't have problem connecting to the 3G network in India with T-mobile iPhone 6/6+. You will have problem connecting to 4G LTE by AirTel if you buy a local AirTel sim card to use with LTE speed. That was the point of my original post.

Thanks,
Osho

----------

Thanks all for the info guys - the current situation really sucks.

Will Apple store directly sell A1586 version fully SIM unlocked (i.e. also for local USA carriers not just international) eventually?

Thanks,
Osho

 

[KPOM]

Will Apple store directly sell A1586 version fully SIM unlocked (i.e. also for local USA carriers not just international) eventually?

Thanks,
Osho

The good news is yes, starting today! There's a front page article on MacRumors. Just get the SIM-free unlocked version, and it will be the A1586.

 

[oshogg]

The good news is yes, starting today! There's a front page article on MacRumors. Just get the SIM-free unlocked version, and it will be the A1586.

Yeap, already ordered one - coming today!

Osho

 

[Sulten]

I just bought a Sprint 1586 Sim Free iPhone 6. you can buy it at a apple store. well the one i went to sold me that phone. if you want proof i can post pics of the model and sim free box also.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I am currently a T-mobile customer. I am interested in purchasing a iPhone 6 in USA that works with LTE on both T-mobile in USA and on Airtel in India (TDD 2300 band). Based on

https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

I should buy A1586 (GSM or CDMA) in which T-mobile SIM will work. But, I cannot figure out where I can buy such a device at the full price in USA.

If I buy it from Sprint, I understand they will not unlock it even if I buy it at full price (even if I open a non-contract account with them temporarily). Even when Sprint unlocks it, it is only international unlock.

I cannot wait until I go to India to buy the phone in India as that could be a few months or more. But, I want to make sure that LTE will work when I do go to India.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Osho

Won't the iPhone 6 Sim-Free work for you?

iPhone 6 Model A1586*
iPhone 6 Plus Model A1524*

CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)