iPhone 6s Now Available SIM-Free in Apple Online Store

[tresmith]

Last year the difference between unlocked and sim free was Verizon and sprint not liking your imei when you tried to activate service

Verizon on the tmo last year wouldn't allow you to activate it. You had to use a SIM card from another phone. And sprint would flat out not work.

When the sim free came out Verizon and sprint liked the seriial number. A few weeks ago Verizon now likes both T-Mobile unlocked and sim free

When I try to go to Verizon or sprint and ask them about my tmo unlocked iPhone 6s Plus they try and tell me I don't have a compatible device.

ok so the sim free is the better option in terms of being free and clear of any carrier. I thought so and it makes sense.

I've tried to get a Tmo unlocked phone to work with straight talk and have had issues. Meanwhile my friend bought the same phone from straight talk (probably a sim-free model) and his phone works on straight talk no issues.

 

[Tech198]

Why does Apple use different terms for the same thing ? To confuse everyone...

Apple should just call it 'unlocked' phone, because that's what it is..... We've got that down under

SIM-free probably sounds more fancy pancy.

 

[barkomatic]

No, it is model 1633/1634, which has band 30.

Yep, I have the AT&T version which includes that band, but I'm very surprised the sim free version doesn't also have it. Usually the sim free model has *more* bands--not less. Then again, Apple could update the spec sheet like they did before.

 

[0970373]

Yes! The one thing you get with the SIM free version is the included SIM removal tool (Apple doesn't add that with the Carrier SIM'ed, although unlocked, versions here in the U.S.) - worthless, but I want it.

Apple must be doing alot better with production this time, we didn't get SIM free here in the states until after the new year for the 6 / 6 plus.

You can get 10 for $1.30 on Amazon.

 

[Ericus Macabeus]

well that was quick. phone sales must not be that great if they are already offering sim-free phones.

and could someone tell the difference between sim-free and carrier unlocked phone?

That doesn't mean sales aren't great. That does mean that production is going way better than in the past. Last year it seemed like it took about 3 months for supply to catch up with demand so they could release sim-free iPhones.

This is actually a really good sign.

 

[fieldsphotos]

Yep, I have the AT&T version which includes that band, but I'm very surprised the sim free version doesn't also have it. Usually the sim free model has *more* bands--not less. Then again, Apple could update the spec sheet like they did before.

1633/1634 IS the ATT phone. So the SIM-free phone = ATT phone this year and includes band 30

 

[duaneu]

Yep, I have the AT&T version which includes that band, but I'm very surprised the sim free version doesn't also have it. Usually the sim free model has *more* bands--not less. Then again, Apple could update the spec sheet like they did before.

It does have it. Read the article again.

 

[Sasparilla]

You can get 10 for $1.30 on Amazon.

I know, that's why I said it was worthless, but I want it anyways...and now I can get it.

 

[KPOM]

All the articles that I've read so far say that sales are not meeting expectations. And the fact that Apple is offering sim-free phones less than two weeks after release kinda confirms it. Two weeks after release is unheard of. it usually takes two to three months for them to show up.

All of this is speculation during Apple's quiet period when they can't speak to financial matters. And if the 6S is not meeting expectations, it is likely China, not the U.S. where they are underperforming because of their weak economy. How releasing the SIM-free version 2 weeks after release instead of 2 months confirms it doesn't really make sense, since it isn't as if there is any real difference between the SIM-free and the AT&T model, other than that the SIM-free is whitelisted on Verizon and Sprint. Lots of us have been wanting Apple to do this from Day 1, which they do in most other countries.

 

[Candlelight]

It wasn't already?? I don't understand America...

Just what I was thinking!

 

[KPOM]

Why does Apple use different terms for the same thing ? To confuse everyone...

Apple should just call it 'unlocked' phone, because that's what it is..... We've got that down under

SIM-free probably sounds more fancy pancy.

Because any iPhone bought at full price is unlocked, but not SIM-free. Specifically, the AT&T and T-Mobile models aren't whitelisted to the CDMA carriers' networks. While they work with a valid SIM card, those carriers won't activate a new account with them.

 

[lolkthxbai]

They may be available for purchase online but so far it looks like only Hawaii and Alaska have the phone available to reserve in store. Otherwise, an iPhone 6s Plus in Space Grey 128GB won't ship for another 2-3 weeks.

 

[Tycho24]

Awesome.
Soooooo EXACTLY the same as buying a Verizon model outright, which is also unlocked. Neat.

 

[John.B]

Based on past experiences, the real question is whether Verizon will activate a "SIM Free" phone...

Usually they won't activate any phone unless the IMEI number is in their IMEI database.

 

[ollywang]

I just bought an ATT model iPhone 6s for use with ATT but I am not on a contract with them. Is the new phone locked? Do I have to request to have it unlocked by ATT? Since I am purchasing from Apple it seems weird that it would be locked to ATT when I have no contractual obligation to anyone.

I'm no expert but when i bought my phone two weeks ago, paying monthly for 24 months to Apple, I was told that it was unlocked. After reading this, i called Apple Support and again was told that the phones are unlocked so while I'm paying ATT for my monthly charges, I believe this 6S is definitely unlocked. Perhaps there's a difference between SIM Free and Unlocked but it's all ok if we're unlocked from the beginning....i hope.

 

[duaneu]

All the articles that I've read so far say that sales are not meeting expectations. And the fact that Apple is offering sim-free phones less than two weeks after release kinda confirms it. Two weeks after release is unheard of. it usually takes two to three months for them to show up.

It doesn't confirm anything, that's pure speculation. Earnings call is coming up on October 27, we'll get an update then.

 

[John.B]

So my unlocked full price att A1634 6S Plus is the same sim free phone as what Apple is selling.

What's strange is I have both att and Verizon. When I put in Verizon nano sim. When I go under cellular options. It only gives me "data only" option. I try to choose voice only or voice and data with Verizon and it won't let me choose it

But when I try to pay a regular call it works perfect. My sms text show up as my real Verizon phone number.

Edit: aneftp, I was wrong when I said AT&T iPhones (A1633 and A1634) lack CDMA voice service:

Cellular and Wireless

Model A1633*
Model A1634*
LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Model A1688*
Model A1687*
LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

 

[darkslide29]

Is this new sim-free model eligible for Apple's own Apple Store financing of a new phone (where you can get a new iPhone every year directly through them)? Thanks.

 

[KPOM]

Awesome.
Soooooo EXACTLY the same as buying a Verizon model outright, which is also unlocked. Neat.

Actually, the Verizon model is missing Band 30. This is the AT&T model, except that Verizon and Sprint will activate it without giving you the runaround that it won't work on their networks (even though it does).

 

[KPOM]

The AT&T iPhones lack CDMA voice service, which is why you get a "data only" option...

No they don't. The AT&T iPhones since the 6 have active CDMA radios. AT&T's service just doesn't use them. However, an active Verizon SIM will work and use CDMA when necessary.

 

[duaneu]

Based on past experiences, the real question is whether Verizon will activate a "SIM Free" phone...

Direct from Apple Store:


The SIM-free iPhone comes without a wireless contract commitment or carrier financing. It doesn’t come with a nano-SIM card for iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or iPhone 5s. And because it’s unlocked, it isn’t tied to one carrier, so you can get a nano-SIM from any supported carrier worldwide, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint in the United States.

 

[solodogg]

The AT&T iPhones lack CDMA voice service, which is why you get a "data only" option...

so explain how I have an AT&T 6s that works perfectly fine with a Verizon SIM inserted, LTE disabled, and can still place and receive phone calls??? The amount of mis-information posted around here is insane!

 

[KPOM]

Is this new sim-free model eligible for Apple's own Apple Store financing of a new phone (where you can get a new iPhone every year directly through them)? Thanks.

It doesn't appear so, although right now you can only try to make a reservation for the West Coast stores. I did a mock entry and was only able to select from the 4 carriers.

Maybe it will update in the morning.

 

[KPOM]

Based on past experiences, the real question is whether Verizon will activate a "SIM Free" phone...

Usually they won't activate any phone unless the IMEI number is in their IMEI database.

They are supposed to. The SIM free models show up on their IMEI database, unlike the AT&T and T-Mobile models.

 

[chinolatte]

They are supposed to. The SIM free models show up on their IMEI database, unlike the AT&T and T-Mobile models.

You don't even need to "activate" it with the carrier, just get a sim card and put it in, restart phone. Its that simple.