Just looked at the Apple website and it looks like they'll have the sim-free model available day one. Am I reading this wrong?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other iPhone Xs and Xs Max - sim-free available day one???
- Thread starter ftaok
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What a pleasant surprise that Apple is doing that for the XS and XS Max. But not for the XR sadly. Either way, I"m excited.
Nope, you're reading it correctly. T̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶f̶i̶r̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶i̶P̶h̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶n̶c̶h̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶t̶o̶r̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶S̶I̶M̶-̶f̶r̶e̶e̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶v̶a̶i̶l̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶n̶c̶h̶. Picking up the iPhone Xs Max 256GB Space Grey SIM-Free myself. 
Edit: Apparently 8 was also SIM-Free at launch.
Edit: Apparently 8 was also SIM-Free at launch.
Nope, you're reading it correctly. This is the first time in iPhone launch history that SIM-free is available at launch. Picking up the iPhone Xs Max 256GB Space Grey SIM-Free myself.
iPhone 8/8 plus was available sim free at launch.
Was it really? My bad. I was too caught up for the iPhone X release that I did not notice. My current and previous iPhone (X and 7 Plus) did not have SIM-free at launch.
I was reading over the iPhone XS page and this caught my eye:
11. eSIM will be available later this year through a software update. Use of eSIM requires a wireless service plan (which may include restrictions on switching service providers and roaming, even after contract expiration). Not all carriers support eSIM. Use of eSIM in iPhone may be disabled when purchased from some carriers. See your carrier for details. To learn more, visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209044.
It's probably best to buy it SIM free from Apple just to be safe. Would hate to have one of the carriers sabotage the second SIM feature.
11. eSIM will be available later this year through a software update. Use of eSIM requires a wireless service plan (which may include restrictions on switching service providers and roaming, even after contract expiration). Not all carriers support eSIM. Use of eSIM in iPhone may be disabled when purchased from some carriers. See your carrier for details. To learn more, visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209044.
It's probably best to buy it SIM free from Apple just to be safe. Would hate to have one of the carriers sabotage the second SIM feature.
That directly refers to Verizon and AT&T when financed from them. It says so on the FAQ.
It'll be interesting to find out if the eSIM can become permanently locked to a carrier like the Apple SIM does. This happens with AT&T.
Only now it's forever since you can't remove the eSIM.
Are all models CDMA and GSM capable? In the past, it was just the Verizon and unlocked models that were.
apple did some launches that are effectively sim free. I think when iPhone X launched, you need a verizon account to buy a verizon phone. But i think when iPhone 6, or 6s or 7 launched, you can just walk into the store and ask to buy out a verizon phone, which is pretty much sim-free, except you get an verizon SIM card.Nope, you're reading it correctly. T̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶f̶i̶r̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶i̶P̶h̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶n̶c̶h̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶t̶o̶r̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶S̶I̶M̶-̶f̶r̶e̶e̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶v̶a̶i̶l̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶l̶a̶u̶n̶c̶h̶. Picking up the iPhone Xs Max 256GB Space Grey SIM-Free myself.
Edit: Apparently 8 was also SIM-Free at launch.
[doublepost=1536825163][/doublepost]
I doubt apple will allow this. You should be able to wipe out the date in the chip. Otherwise it will greatly affect the resell value of iPhones, and apple wont want that to happen.
Interested in the same. On AT&T for the moment but it is terrible in NYC and I’m always in the verge of switching to Verizon. Want to make sure I maintain that flexibility.
Most likely a month after launch (so November).Hi guys, any idea when the unlocked version of the XR will be available
My understanding, yes. The radio-on-chip is by Intel, Qualcomm was dropped. Therefore all phones have the same chip, and same carrier compatibility.