Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Apple Upgrade Program requires you to have an active line on one of the four major carriers in the U.S., and it's tied to your credit.

You're right that it's also unlocked, but full price allows you to buy without tying it to your credit and without requiring a cell phone plan.


So it's for people who can afford the phone but don't have decent credit and don't have a cellphone plan. Walk in, buy phone, go pre-paid wherever you want.
 
So the Sim-Free iPhone 6S is a world phone basically. If I get a T-Mobile iPhone 6S and unlock it, will it also work on Sprint/Verizon?

From what I understand, if you look at the specs on the phones, all the phones have access to exactly the same bands of signals, except for the AT&T phone that has the added Band 30-- and 30 isn't even up and running yet. It's a frequency that AT&T is introducing later this year. And even without band 30 on a phone, it would still work on AT&T's network. So basically the phones are all universal and require only changes in the SIM card in order to switch from one network to the other.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iApple_man
Where are people getting the idea that it's the AT&T model?

I put a SG 64G 6s in my shopping 'bag," and it is listed as part number MKR32LL/A, which is the "T-mobile" model.
 
So much easier here in the uk. Pre-ordered from Apple, inserted existing sim from my 5s and off we go.

I did the same thing here in SJ, California when upgrading my t-mobile iPhone 6 to a 6s (pre-ordered directly from apple the t-mobile model)

I asked t-mobile to unlock the new iPhone 6s and they said it wasn't eligible then referred me back to Apple. I went to my local Apple Store and asked about carrier lock status (result: the phone shipped Factory unlocked).
 
Where are people getting the idea that it's the AT&T model?

I put a SG 64G 6s in my shopping 'bag," and it is listed as part number MKR32LL/A, which is the "T-mobile" model.

So this is not the 1633/1634? Very strange. Again conflicting reports.
 
I ordered my phone from a local retailer (no Apple Stores...) so I could pick it up today. Now the retailer comes out saying "first come first serve". I'm sorry, what's the point of pre-ordering again?

Contemplating ordering from Apple before delivery times shoot up. Dam, why do they always do releases on Fridays where you can't expect it until Monday???
 
Actually, I am little bit worries when a software company wants to make something like cars. It is really not easy to do "restart" when you crash with your car on highway. Even if it's apple...
 
  • Like
Reactions: DCIFRTHS
Ok so now I've read this entire thread and have not found a clear answer to my quest:
I want an unlocked iPhone 6s Plus that I can use during trips to Europe using a variety of SIM chips. Here's where it gets muddy:

I would also want this phone to replace the 5s on my grandfathered AT&T account without changing contract nor having my new phone locked. The 5s is paid for as my 2 year contract was recently completed

Can this be easily accomplished?
 
Will this sim free iPhone have band 30? Paying over $1000+ after tax I would like to have all the bands.
 
Where are people getting the idea that it's the AT&T model?

I put a SG 64G 6s in my shopping 'bag," and it is listed as part number MKR32LL/A, which is the "T-mobile" model.

Because that is what Macrumors article say, so not know if it is true.

HOWEVER, if I put a T-Mobile 128 6S Plus SG in my cart I get Nov 3 - Nov 9 shipping.

While if I put the sim-free version or AT&T version in the cart, I get Oct 27 - Nov 2 estimate on BOTH.

That tells me the AT&T and sim-free might be the same?
 
Because that is what Macrumors article say, so not know if it is true.

HOWEVER, if I put a T-Mobile 128 6S Plus SG in my cart I get Nov 3 - Nov 9 shipping.

While if I put the sim-free version or AT&T version in the cart, I get Oct 27 - Nov 2 estimate on BOTH.

That tells me the AT&T and sim-free might be the same?

I ordered the Sim Free 128gb mine says Nov 3 so maybe it's T-mobile version like other poster said.
 
but does it have band 30????
Yes it does..... From Apple's website:

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)
 
Absolutely AT&T Version (including band 30) according to Apple.com! Great!

Mac rumors had quoted a page at Apple directly, "The SIM-free iPhone 6s model is A1633 and the SIM-free iPhone 6s Plus model is A1634."

Go to Apple store online, select a sim-free model all the way, color, size, etc. click sim free, and then click the link BEFORE adding to bag, the link that says "Learn more about the sim-free iPhone."

That is where it says A1633 and A1634.

Who would want the T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint versions now? Just kidding, they are awesome too, but those of us paying full price, only makes sense to get AT&T version (or sim free), if we think ourselves or someone else might EVER use the phone we buy on AT&T.
 
  • Like
Reactions: doxielover
Yes it does..... From Apple's website:

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)

But how do we know sim free is the 1633? One poster said he put it in his shopping bag and showed this part number MKR32LL/A, which is the "T-mobile" model
 
Absolutely AT&T Version (including band 30) according to Apple.com! Great!

Mac rumors had quoted a page at Apple directly, "The SIM-free iPhone 6s model is A1633 and the SIM-free iPhone 6s Plus model is A1634."

Go to Apple store online, select a sim-free model all the way, color, size, etc. click sim free, and then click the link BEFORE adding to bag, the link that says "Learn more about the sim-free iPhone."

That is where it says A1633 and A1634.

Who would want the T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint versions now? Just kidding, they are awesome too, but those of us paying full price, only makes sense to get AT&T version (or sim free), if we think ourselves or someone else might EVER use the phone we buy on AT&T.

Thank you for confirming!
 
Ok so now I've read this entire thread and have not found a clear answer to my quest:
I want an unlocked iPhone 6s Plus that I can use during trips to Europe using a variety of SIM chips. Here's where it gets muddy:

I would also want this phone to replace the 5s on my grandfathered AT&T account without changing contract nor having my new phone locked. The 5s is paid for as my 2 year contract was recently completed

Can this be easily accomplished?

If you buy a sim-free phone(at full retail), you should be able to pop any sim in there and it should not affect your current contract. However just remember that carriers normally reserve the right to screw with their agreement with you.

Will this sim free iPhone have band 30? Paying over $1000+ after tax I would like to have all the bands.

Ok the best way to know is to order a sim-free, open the box and see what model phone they give you. According to Apple's tech specs on the 6S model numbers 1633 and 1634 have band 30 included. the model number is usually printed on the back. If it's not one of those model numbers then you can always return the phone.

But my gut tells you'll get one of those models because it doesn't make any sense to give you another model especially when they all cost the same.

It also begs the question why did they even go through the trouble of creating phones with two different cellular specs. It seems like a waste of time and confuses the customer.
 
I see that popup page where it says the SIM-Free is the A1633/34.

But that conflicts with the part number that's actually placed in the cart, at least for the selections I made.

OK...I've cleared all cookies and started the process over...now it shows a different part number. Must have been a glitch somewhere...glad I didn't complete the order.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.