Carrier New SIM-Free iPhone SE on Sprint

[Applejuiced]

But unlike the 5c, it has most of the functional features of the flagship phone, costs less, and all 64GB models are completely sold out until May.

The 5c when it came out had all the 5s/flagship features also besides the Touch ID.
I don't know, I'm not really excited about it much.
I'm looking forward to the next iPhone 7 plus model

 

[jorwex]

jorwex, thanks a bunch for the crash course. Mine is currently showing band 26. With respect to band 41 not being supported, perhaps then this is another explanation for Apple saying on their website that the SIM-free iPhone SE is not compatible with Sprint??

Hi browbri,

Yeah hopefully it's just the lack of Band 41 and Sprint doesn't deactivate these somehow at a later date (akin to how Sprint iPhone 5 units that were domestic unlocked were re-locked in the last year or so).

I do have one more set of questions if you are game.

Any chance you could report back with the "63.0Xa" text that is to the right of the Sprint logo on your nano SIM (red arrows in pic)? I don't believe it identifies your device in any way. The one that Sprint mailed me says "63.09a"

Or even better, if you still have the full plastic card that Sprint mailed you (from which your nano SIM was removed), could you write back with the Part Number in the bottom left (blue arrow in pic)? Mine says SIMGLW436C like the pic, but there are a few different ones floating around (like that SIMOLW416C one).

Since the phones are back-ordered for 2-3 weeks, I am trying to get my ducks in a row so everything goes smoothly when I finally get one.

Thanks.

 

[Channan]

jorwex, thanks a bunch for the crash course. Mine is currently showing band 26. With respect to band 41 not being supported, perhaps then this is another explanation for Apple saying on their website that the SIM-free iPhone SE is not compatible with Sprint??

Does Apple's website specifically say it's not compatible with Sprint? I know they list different models, because they want you to get the most possible LTE bands for your carrier, but I don't see anywhere that says it isn't compatible.

I knew I was mostly going to use my SE on Sprint, but I got the other model instead anyway because I'd also like to occasionally use it on Verizon and maybe give it to someone in my family later on who is on AT&T. Plus, I don't have LTE Plus in my area anyway.

 

[eyoungren]

Does Apple's website specifically say it's not compatible with Sprint? I know they list different models, because they want you to get the most possible LTE bands for your carrier, but I don't see anywhere that says it isn't compatible.

I knew I was mostly going to use my SE on Sprint, but I got the other model instead anyway because I'd also like to occasionally use it on Verizon and maybe give it to someone in my family later on who is on AT&T. Plus, I don't have LTE Plus in my area anyway.

http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-se/64gb-space-gray

In the FAQs at the bottom:

What does "SIM-free" mean?

“SIM-free” means your iPhone doesn’t ship with a carrier SIM card. The SIM-free iPhone sold on apple.com and at the Apple Store is unlocked. That means you’re free to use a SIM card from a supported carrier. The SIM-free iPhone SE supports AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, among others. However, it does not support Sprint. If you wish to use iPhone SE with Sprint or a Sprint-supported carrier, choose Sprint as your carrier when you purchase iPhone SE. When the Sprint model is purchased at full price, it is unlocked.

 

[jorwex]

I knew I was mostly going to use my SE on Sprint, but I got the other model instead anyway because I'd also like to occasionally use it on Verizon and maybe give it to someone in my family later on who is on AT&T. Plus, I don't have LTE Plus in my area anyway.

Do you know which nano SIM model you have? Any problems activating?

 

[Channan]

Do you know which nano SIM model you have? Any problems activating?

I bought it from RingPlus for my iPhone 5s. I traded in my 5s for an SE and just used the same SIM to activate a new plan and it worked fine.

SIMGLW436C

 

[browbri]

Hi browbri,

Yeah hopefully it's just the lack of Band 41 and Sprint doesn't deactivate these somehow at a later date (akin to how Sprint iPhone 5 units that were domestic unlocked were re-locked in the last year or so).

I do have one more set of questions if you are game.

Any chance you could report back with the "63.0Xa" text that is to the right of the Sprint logo on your nano SIM (red arrows in pic)? I don't believe it identifies your device in any way. The one that Sprint mailed me says "63.09a"

Or even better, if you still have the full plastic card that Sprint mailed you (from which your nano SIM was removed), could you write back with the Part Number in the bottom left (blue arrow in pic)? Mine says SIMGLW436C like the pic, but there are a few different ones floating around (like that SIMOLW416C one).

Apologies for late reply - crazy week! The PN on my card says SIMGLW436C. Too lazy to find the key to get my SIM out of the slot, so I don't have that number ready for you. If you really need it, let me know and I'll get out of my chair to get that key...

 

[Channan]

Hi browbri,

Yeah hopefully it's just the lack of Band 41 and Sprint doesn't deactivate these somehow at a later date (akin to how Sprint iPhone 5 units that were domestic unlocked were re-locked in the last year or so).

I do have one more set of questions if you are game.

Any chance you could report back with the "63.0Xa" text that is to the right of the Sprint logo on your nano SIM (red arrows in pic)? I don't believe it identifies your device in any way. The one that Sprint mailed me says "63.09a"

Or even better, if you still have the full plastic card that Sprint mailed you (from which your nano SIM was removed), could you write back with the Part Number in the bottom left (blue arrow in pic)? Mine says SIMGLW436C like the pic, but there are a few different ones floating around (like that SIMOLW416C one).

Since the phones are back-ordered for 2-3 weeks, I am trying to get my ducks in a row so everything goes smoothly when I finally get one.

Thanks.

Sprint uses 8 different SIM cards for different phones. They're the only carrier (in the US at least AFAIK) where you can't just buy one SIM card and swap it between any device.

SIMGLW436C is the SIM card you need for iPhones.