iPhone 11 Pro Question on ordering from Apple

[SteelBlueTJ]

I am about to order a new
iPhone on Apple.com and I use Verizon. I am confused on The choice of “activate my iPhone” or “buy a new iPhone” what’s the difference? I currently use an iPhone X. Thanks

 

[oVerboost]

I am about to order a new
iPhone on Apple.com and I use Verizon. I am confused on The choice of “activate my iPhone” or “buy a new iPhone” what’s the difference? I currently use an iPhone X. Thanks

Activate my iPhone is for people who have received their new phone and need to active it on the network.

Buy a new iPhone is pretty self explanatory... You need the Buy a new iPhone option.

 

[SteelBlueTJ]

then why is it on the order screen when you select your options. It doesn’t make any sense to have activate on there if I don’t even have it yet.

Activate my iPhone is for people who have received their new phone and need to active it on the network.

Buy a new iPhone is pretty self explanatory... You need the Buy a new iPhone option.

 

[oVerboost]

then why is it on the order screen when you select your options. It doesn’t make any sense to have activate on there if I don’t even have it yet.

No idea why it’s there, I guess it’s because it can’t be in the main landing page and they had to put it somewhere, or Verizon just can’t design a website.

 

[JagRunner]

I am about to order a new
iPhone on Apple.com and I use Verizon. I am confused on The choice of “activate my iPhone” or “buy a new iPhone” what’s the difference? I currently use an iPhone X. Thanks

activate means if you want them to activate it for you through your carrier.

buy new iPhone means they’ll just ship it to you and you activate it. Which usually means just sticking your own SIM card in it.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I think if you order the specific carrier version it comes with a SIM card for that carrier installed. The other version is SIM free

 

[iAssimilated]

Slightly related question, is it better to have Apple work with your carrier on a new iPhone or swap the SIM card? I am looking to purchase the new SE, coming from the original SE. I ask because this is the first time I will be upgrading my phone this way (ie purchasing it directly from Apple).

 

[EM2013]

Slightly related question, is it better to have Apple work with your carrier on a new iPhone or swap the SIM card? I am looking to purchase the new SE, coming from the original SE. I ask because this is the first time I will be upgrading my phone this way (ie purchasing it directly from Apple).

When they do it, all you have to do is turn off your old device then turn on the new one.

 

[Rigby]

Slightly related question, is it better to have Apple work with your carrier on a new iPhone or swap the SIM card? I am looking to purchase the new SE, coming from the original SE. I ask because this is the first time I will be upgrading my phone this way (ie purchasing it directly from Apple).

Purchase the SIM free version and swap the SIM. Otherwise the carrier will usually charge you an "activation fee".

 

[Apple_Robert]

Slightly related question, is it better to have Apple work with your carrier on a new iPhone or swap the SIM card? I am looking to purchase the new SE, coming from the original SE. I ask because this is the first time I will be upgrading my phone this way (ie purchasing it directly from Apple).

Buy outright and swap your SIM. If there is a problem, one can always put a new SiM in the phone.

Buying with carrier on Apple, is for people wanting to make payments and don’t mind being locked to a carrier.

 

[TiggrToo]

Purchase the SIM free version and swap the SIM. Otherwise the carrier will usually charge you an "activation fee".

Last I remember Verizon was one of the carriers that charged an "upgrade"* fee even when you're swapping a Sim card to a new device.

*Aka a "we're going to rip you off by charging you $30.00 for $0.10 worth of work" fee

 

[Rigby]

Last I remember Verizon was one of the carriers that charged an "upgrade"* fee even when you're swapping a Sim card to a new device.

*Aka a "we're going to rip you off by charging you $30.00 for $0.10 worth of work" fee

Don't know about Verizon, but neither AT&T nor T-Mobile charge a fee if you buy a SIM-free phone and swap the SIM yourself.

 

[iAssimilated]

Thanks everyone for the advise, I appreciate it!

Last I remember Verizon was one of the carriers that charged an "upgrade"* fee even when you're swapping a Sim card to a new device.

*Aka a "we're going to rip you off by charging you $30.00 for $0.10 worth of work" fee

I'll find out soon enough I guess, since Verizon is my carrier.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks everyone for the advise, I appreciate it!



I'll find out soon enough I guess, since Verizon is my carrier.

I had Verizon not too long ago. They will charge you, as Tigger mentioned.

 

[Rigby]

I had Verizon not too long ago. They will charge you, as Tigger mentioned.

Did you buy a SIM-free phone from Apple, or did you buy the Verizon version (which is the same hardware these days, just with a pre-installed and provisioned Verizon SIM) from either Apple or Verizon?

If they really charge when you bring your own SIM-free phone without their involvement, I find that rather astonishing (and a rip-off).

 

[Apple_Robert]

Did you buy a SIM-free phone from Apple, or did you buy the Verizon version (which is the same hardware these days, just with a pre-installed and provisioned Verizon SIM) from either Apple or Verizon?

If they really charge when you bring your own SIM-free phone without their involvement, I find that rather astonishing (and a rip-off).

It was the SIM-free model. I also asked nicely to get the charge removed and they wouldn’t budge. I am with T-Mobile now and glad I don’t have to deal with that kind of crap anymore.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

It was the SIM-free model. I also asked nicely to get the charge removed and they wouldn’t budge. I am with T-Mobile now and glad I don’t have to deal with that kind of crap anymore.

That's too bad. When I got my X in 2017 I ordered through Apple but listed Verizon as my carrier and used the Verizon IUP. I was charged even though before turning on the new phone I swapped SIM cards from my existing phone. I was able to talk Verizon down to $15 which was easier to swallow but I vowed to get the SIM free version next time to avoid the charge altogether. I guess from your experience it doesn't matter which you choose

 

[Ericdjensen]

I bought from Apple.com and chose Verizon. It had me log in and the phone was mostly good to go when I got it. Didn't need a SIM. I still had to call and give them the IMEI though.

Yep, they charge $30