iPhone XS Max iPhone Pro Max unlocking

[wchong]

If I purchase an AT&T version through the Apple Store and pay in full, do I still have to request AT&T to unlock it or will it be unlocked as soon as I receive it?

 

[duaneu]

If I purchase an AT&T version through the Apple Store and pay in full, do I still have to request AT&T to unlock it or will it be unlocked as soon as I receive it?

It sounds like the only way to end up with a locked phone is to buy it through AT&T Next. Per Apple, all other iPhones are unlocked. Sim free is also an option at launch this year if you're paying in full.

Will my new iPhone be unlocked?
Nearly all iPhone models sold on apple.com and at the Apple Store are unlocked. This means they aren’t tied to a single carrier. The exception is when you buy an iPhone with AT&T Next. It will be tied — or locked — to AT&T.

• 
  Your iPhone will be unlocked when you:
  
• Choose any carrier and select One-time payment.
• Choose any carrier and select Apple iPhone Payments.
• Choose any carrier and either join or upgrade with the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program.
• Purchase a SIM-free model. This is like any other iPhone, just without a carrier nano-SIM card.
  Your iPhone will be locked when you:
  
• Choose AT&T as your carrier and pay with AT&T Next.

 

[Shadowbech]

Just curious, why buy the AT&T Model at full price when the Sim-free Model for the iPhone 11 Pro Max is available to pre-order? And they do the same exact thing?

Anyways even if you buy the AT&T model outright, it will be unlocked, this is if you buy it directly from the Apple store. If purchased from the AT&T store, I believe it's locked for 60 days and then you can request an unlock afterwards.

 

[Wags]

Just curious, why buy the AT&T Model at full price when the Sim-free Model for the iPhone 11 Pro Max is available to pre-order? And they do the same exact thing?

Anyways even if you buy the AT&T model outright, it will be unlocked, this is if you buy it directly from the Apple store. If purchased from the AT&T store, I believe it's locked for 60 days and then you can request an unlock afterwards.

In the past the was a difference. Mostly with modem. Probably all same models this year again. Will work with any major carrier.

 

[Shadowbech]

In the past the was a difference. Mostly with modem. Probably all same models this year again. Will work with any major carrier.

I'm aware there was the difference in the past but not with the XS/XS Max/XR as they shared the same modem across the board.

 

[Rigby]

Does anyone know if the phone comes with a physical SIM when you buy the AT&T model, or do they just provision the eSIM?

Edit: Found the answer myself in the FAQ section of the 11 Pro order page:

"Carrier-activated models of iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro purchased from Apple come with a physical nano-SIM, which will be used to activate your wireless account. To activate the eSIM on your new iPhone, please contact your carrier once you receive it.*"