iPhone SE (2016) SE 2020 "SIM-Free" vs "AT&T" / "Sprint" / "T-Mobile" / "Verizon"

[goffredo]

Hi gang. When purchasing the new SE 2020 from the Apple website, there are five options. Four are the various carriers, and the fifth is "SIM-Free". I'm curious precisely what the difference between these five options is, in terms of what's in the box I receive from Apple. Apple Support hasn't been very useful in answering my questions, so I wanted to ask here.

Do the 4 carrier-options result in the phone coming pre-installed with a physical SIM that has been programmed to the phone number entered during Apple's phone-order workflow, whereas the "SIM-Free" option does not? Would I get a SIM removal tool in all 5 scenarios?

 

[franciscomata22]

Yes, you'll get a sim removal on all models.

They are all unlocked unless you purchase with carrier financing. If you chose to do the att activation the sim will come included.

 

[dave006]

Do the 4 carrier-options result in the phone coming pre-installed with a physical SIM that has been programmed to the phone number entered during Apple's phone-order workflow, whereas the "SIM-Free" option does not? Would I get a SIM removal tool in all 5 scenarios?

Yes if you purchased from Apple with a Carrier selected, your new iPhone SE will arrive with a pre-install Nano-SIM for that carrier. It will set to be activated on your existing line if you upgraded or a new line if you added one with your carrier.

Also you will need to pay an upgrade or activation fee to your carrier when you complete the activation steps after your iPhone SE arrives.

Dave

 

[goffredo]

Interesting, thanks for the information. I selected AT&T and punched in my current phone number on my old phone, and it said something went wrong (probably because my phone is on my AT&T business account). So I guess it's a mystery what I'll end up getting!

 

[dave006]

So just pick the SIM Free model and you can reuse your existing Nano-SIM.

Dave

 

[pérignon]

Yes, you'll get a sim removal on all models.

Your statement is absolutely false.

Apple does not include the SIM removal tool with new iPhones. My SIM-free iPhone 8 - that I purchased for full price directly from Apple - did not come with a SIM removal tool and neither did my 11 Pro.

 

[Rigby]

Do the 4 carrier-options result in the phone coming pre-installed with a physical SIM that has been programmed to the phone number entered during Apple's phone-order workflow, whereas the "SIM-Free" option does not?

Yes, exactly. Note that some carriers (notably AT&T and T-Mobile) do not charge an upgrade fee if you pick the SIM-free version and simply swap your existing SIM into the new phone.

Would I get a SIM removal tool in all 5 scenarios?

Not sure, but you can always use a metal paperclip (without coating).

 

[goffredo]

Looks like I probably should have ordered the SIM-free version, so that I could just reuse the existing AT&T SIM from my old phone, without having to pay for a new AT&T SIM or eSim activiation or whatever the hell they're certainly going to end up nickel-and-dime-ing me for.

But I opted for AT&T when ordering the phone, because being able to make calls once the new phone arrived, without any additional trouble, sounded really nice at 5AM in the morning when I placed my pre-order. Until, that is, the apple store order flow gave me some cryptic error message and said I'd have to activate through AT&T and now I have no idea what I'm getting and whether it will work without having to drive 2 hours to the nearest AT&T store for a new SIM.

 

[GeekyGrannie]

Looks like I probably should have ordered the SIM-free version, so that I could just reuse the existing AT&T SIM from my old phone, without having to pay for a new AT&T SIM or eSim activiation or whatever the hell they're certainly going to end up nickel-and-dime-ing me for.

But I opted for AT&T when ordering the phone, because being able to make calls once the new phone arrived, without any additional trouble, sounded really nice at 5AM in the morning when I placed my pre-order. Until, that is, the apple store order flow gave me some cryptic error message and said I'd have to activate through AT&T and now I have no idea what I'm getting and whether it will work without having to drive 2 hours to the nearest AT&T store for a new SIM.

It sounds like your phone will come with an AT&T sim installed that hasn't been activated. If so, I'll bet you can just remove that sim and insert the one from your old phone.

 

[dave006]

But I opted for AT&T when ordering the phone, because being able to make calls once the new phone arrived, without any additional trouble, sounded really nice at 5AM in the morning when I placed my pre-order. Until, that is, the apple store order flow gave me some cryptic error message and said I'd have to activate through AT&T and now I have no idea what I'm getting and whether it will work without having to drive 2 hours to the nearest AT&T store for a new SIM.

You can go to the Apple link with your order number from your Apple email ( starts with W...) to see exactly what your ordered. AT&T or SIM Free.

If you ordered an AT&T iPhone SE, it will come with a new Nano-SIM pre-installed and ready to be activated on the line you used to order. You would be charged the $30 activation fee and it should only take a few minutes for the activation steps to compete and your old phone's SIM will be deactivated without the need to do any SIM swapping. This is what was mentioned by previous posters above.

Again only if you want to save the $30 would you need to move your existing Nano-SIM regardless of which version of the iPhone SE you ordered: AT&T or SIM Free.

Note: the magic SIM removal tool is just a fancy paperclip. Over the years Apple as included the SIM tool on an inconsistent basis when ordering a carrier iPhone. As a side not last year (Sept. 2019) my iPhone 11 Pro came with the SIM tool for an AT&T Carrier based order. The SIM removal tool is packaged in a white folded package within the box so many customers miss it even when it is included in the packaging.

Dave

 

[FHoff]

Your statement is absolutely false.

Apple does not include the SIM removal tool with new iPhones. My SIM-free iPhone 8 - that I purchased for full price directly from Apple - did not come with a SIM removal tool and neither did my 11 Pro.

As is yours. My T-Mobile XR came with one. As did my 7 prior to that.

 

[pérignon]

As is yours. My T-Mobile XR came with one. As did my 7 prior to that.

Wrong again. First off, the XR and 7 are not new iPhones. Second, none of the new iPhones in US come with SIM eject tool today. That’s a fact.

 

[FHoff]

Lol where’s your proof?

The post just above mine says their 11 came with one.

 

[dave006]

Wrong again. First off, the XR and 7 are not new iPhones. Second, none of the new iPhones in US come with SIM eject tool today. That’s a fact.

Hmm what about an iPhone 11 Pro is that considered new to you?

Mine came with one from Apple in Sept. 2019. It was ordered as an AT&T version with a pre-installed Nano-SIM so no real need for a SIM tool.

Dave

 

[rperalta]

I already have an existing line with AT&T. I'm going to pay full price for either 64gb or 128gb. Should I buy it SIM-Free from Apple or AT&T since it already comes with a SIM card (no SIM removal tool or paper clip needed)?

 

[Rigby]

I already have an existing line with AT&T. I'm going to pay full price for either 64gb or 128gb. Should I buy it SIM-Free from Apple or AT&T since it already comes with a SIM card (no SIM removal tool or paper clip needed)?

If you want to save some money, get the SIM-free version. If you enjoy paying "upgrade fees" to AT&T, get the AT&T version. Apart from that it won't make a difference.

 

[rui no onna]

Wrong again. First off, the XR and 7 are not new iPhones. Second, none of the new iPhones in US come with SIM eject tool today. That’s a fact.

AT&T iPhone 11 purchased December 2019 on iPhone Upgrade Program came with SIM eject tool. My previous AT&T iPhones didn't have it so I was surprised to find one in the package.

 

[lkalliance]

I know there has already been a few "I bought a [carrier] version and not SIM-free, what do I do now?" posts already, but here's another:

I got the AT&T version rather than SIM-free. My current iPhone (first-generation SE) is also on AT&T. Even though I ordered the AT&T version, could I not simply pop out the SIM that comes with it, and put in the SIM from my current phone?

 

[rui no onna]

I know there has already been a few "I bought a [carrier] version and not SIM-free, what do I do now?" posts already, but here's another:

I got the AT&T version rather than SIM-free. My current iPhone (first-generation SE) is also on AT&T. Even though I ordered the AT&T version, could I not simply pop out the SIM that comes with it, and put in the SIM from my current phone?

You can do that, sure. Of course, the question is whether doing so will avoid triggering the $30 upgrade fee.

 

[lkalliance]

You can do that, sure. Of course, the question is whether doing so will avoid triggering the $30 upgrade fee.

Experience tells me that if it does trigger the fee, I can call in and likely get it waived. I'm not activating a new SIM card, I'm using one that is already activated. I hope, at least.

 

[GeekyGrannie]

Maybe someday carriers will give up on physical sims altogether and just go with e-sims. It certainly would simplify things.

 

[mattopotamus]

Your statement is absolutely false.

Apple does not include the SIM removal tool with new iPhones. My SIM-free iPhone 8 - that I purchased for full price directly from Apple - did not come with a SIM removal tool and neither did my 11 Pro.

this may sound silly, but did you look throughly? I’m almost certain every SIM free phone I’ve bought directly from Apple has come with the tool.

 

[Rigby]

Maybe someday carriers will give up on physical sims altogether and just go with e-sims. It certainly would simplify things.

True, it is convenient. But it also forces customers to go through the carrier every time they want to change devices (and likely be charged a fee). No more SIM swapping on your own.
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Your statement is absolutely false.

Apple does not include the SIM removal tool with new iPhones. My SIM-free iPhone 8 - that I purchased for full price directly from Apple - did not come with a SIM removal tool and neither did my 11 Pro.

I just checked the box of my SIM-free iPhone 8 (ordered from Apple on launch day). It does include the tool. It's in the white envelope (that also contains the usual Apple stickers).

 

[pérignon]

this may sound silly, but did you look throughly? I’m almost certain every SIM free phone I’ve bought directly from Apple has come with the tool.

None of the currently available SIM-free iPhones on Apple's website come with a SIM eject tool inside.

 

[rui no onna]

None of the currently available SIM-free iPhones on Apple's website come with a SIM eject tool inside.

iPhone 11 purchased December 2019.