I just got an iPhone 6S Plus from an AT&T store, then realized it is locked by AT&T even thought it is a A1634 model. Apparently only the AT&T version from Apple Store are unlocked. i just confirmed that this morning by insert my coworker's TMobile card and it was not working. i need to use this phone in mainland china in a couple months, is paying the device in full and ask AT&T to unlock the only choice i have? can i go to Apple Store and ask to swap for an AT&T model there?
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Carrier Locked iPhone 6S Plus from AT&T store
- Thread starter kevjen888
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Yes, they won't unlock your phone if it's still not technically yours. Pay it off or go buy one for full price. They will unlock both of them.
i don't mind pay in full upfront, but can anyone vouch the iphone 6 or 6S from AT&T store will work in China if unlocked by AT&T? i've read after the unlock, it will work with other carriers here in the US (Tmobile) but still won't work in China. how about getting swapped with a same phone in Apple Store, is that too much of a reach?
the reason i didn't think this through before signing with AT&T is i had Verizon iphone 5, and 6 before and they were from Verizon store and on payment plans too, but i was able to use them in China without any issues. i guess AT&T is different.
the reason i didn't think this through before signing with AT&T is i had Verizon iphone 5, and 6 before and they were from Verizon store and on payment plans too, but i was able to use them in China without any issues. i guess AT&T is different.
Your AT&T model will work fine in China. According to this:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
The AT&T model supports all the LTE frequencies of the 2 China models.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
The AT&T model supports all the LTE frequencies of the 2 China models.
theres 3 chinese carriers
China Telecom-supported LTE models
You can use these iPhone models with China Unicom’s LTE network:
You can use these iPhone models with China Mobile’s LTE network:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202909
China Telecom-supported LTE models
- iPhone 6s (Model A1700)
- iPhone 6s Plus (Model A1699)
- iPhone 6 (Model A1586)
- iPhone 6 Plus (Model A1524)
- iPhone SE (Model A1723)
You can use these iPhone models with China Unicom’s LTE network:
- iPhone 6s (Model A1700)
- iPhone 6s Plus (Model A1699)
- iPhone 6 (Model A1586)
- iPhone 6 Plus (Model A1524)
- iPhone SE (Model A1723)
- iPhone 5s (Model A1530)
- iPhone 5c (Model A1529)
You can use these iPhone models with China Mobile’s LTE network:
- iPhone 6s (Model A1691, A1700)
- iPhone 6s Plus (Model A1690, A1699)
- iPhone 6 (Model A1586, A1589)
- iPhone 6 Plus (Model A1524, A1593)
- iPhone SE (Model A1723, A1724)
- iPhone 5s (Model A1518, A1530)
- iPhone 5c (Model A1516, A1529)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202909
my friend uses A1549 (AT&T iphone 6), the model number isn't on that list for use in China. but she was able to use it with China Unicom just two months ago. she was under AT&T contract too, had to pay it off and unlock the phone herself via itune before her trip.