iPhone 12 Questions on ordering iPhone 12 through Apple vs Verizon

[Jacobi]

Hi there! It's been years since I bought a new iPhone and I have a few questions. I want to pay for my device in full and not be obligated to any contracts / payment plans.

1. What's the pro/con of purchasing through Apple vs Verizon?

2. If I order from Apple online, how does that work in terms of the new phone "taking over" my phone number from my old phone? Does the number switch when I first turn on the new phone when it gets delivered?

3. What are the reasons for choosing a "Verizon" iPhone vs a SIM-free iPhone?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[swandy]

(1) For me it's convenience. But I will admit I never purchased an iPhone through Verizon. If you are paying in full then it might depend on if you are trading in another phone and how much each company offers. Also, I prefer Apple Care + over the Verizon offer and not sure if you can add Apple Care + after the fact if you purchase through another vender besides Apple.
(2) I just did this today - gave Apple my iPhone 11/Verizon and then gave me the new 12. (I was part of the upgrade program BTW.) The person at Apple pulled out my Verizon SIM card and handed it to me (not that I needed it) and had me erase the older iPhone. When I got home, I unboxed the new iPhone and VIOLA it connected to Verizon (after I put in my Verizon account passcode) and my telephone number was already in there. No issues.
(3) Sim-free can work on any carrier. Don't think there is any advantage unless you plan on switching carriers. (But to be honest I don't have any experience with a SIM-free phone..

 

[JPH675]

1) Apple all day long
2) No
3) Verizon is probably cheaper if you are on a Verizon network. A Verizon iPhone paid-in-full will still be locked onto Verizon network for 60 days.

My plan forced me into buying from Verizon instead of Apple, entire experience sucked. Not recommended but I had no choice

 

[paulsonj72]

(1) For me it's convenience. But I will admit I never purchased an iPhone through Verizon. If you are paying in full then it might depend on if you are trading in another phone and how much each company offers. Also, I prefer Apple Care + over the Verizon offer and not sure if you can add Apple Care + after the fact if you purchase through another vender besides Apple.
(2) I just did this today - gave Apple my iPhone 11/Verizon and then gave me the new 12. (I was part of the upgrade program BTW.) The person at Apple pulled out my Verizon SIM card and handed it to me (not that I needed it) and had me erase the older iPhone. When I got home, I unboxed the new iPhone and VIOLA it connected to Verizon (after I put in my Verizon account passcode) and my telephone number was already in there. No issues.
(3) Sim-free can work on any carrier. Don't think there is any advantage unless you plan on switching carriers. (But to be honest I don't have any experience with a SIM-free phone..

You can get AppleCare even if you didn’t’t get your phone through Apple.