iPhone 11 Pro Should I buy iPhone 11 unlocked or not?

[KB24Slam]

This is most likely a dumb question, but if I’m paying for the iPhone 11 in full, does it matter if I buy it unlocked or with a carrier designation? I’m with t-mobile. I’m assuming it doesn’t matter, but just wanted to double check cause y’all know way more than me about this stuff. Thanks everyone!

 

[duaneu]

Any iPhone you pay for in full will be unlocked.

 

[jpn]

there are 4 reasons to consider a locked phone:

1 if buying from the carrier direct gives you some kind of discounted rate on total device price, or, discounts on the carrier's rates for its services

2 you go out of the country and can accept that carrier's rates for data while abroad

3 you dont think its a hassle to deal with getting out of yr contract if you want to change carriers

4 you think you can get a good price for your locked phone if you decide to sell it while its locked

so, saying it the reverse way: make sure you are buying it unlocked; best buying it from apple direct and confirming before you hand out yr credit card that you can stick any SIM into at all.

 

[Reno Raines]

This is most likely a dumb question, but if I’m paying for the iPhone 11 in full, does it matter if I buy it unlocked or with a carrier designation? I’m with t-mobile. I’m assuming it doesn’t matter, but just wanted to double check cause y’all know way more than me about this stuff. Thanks everyone!

I too am with T Mobile. If you buy it in full from them it will come locked to them. After 40 days of use on their system they will unlock it for you. I would recommend you buy it from Apple directly as T Mobile has charged me a set up fee on top of the phone when they literally did nothing but hand me my new sealed iPhone.

 

[Dodgeman]

I was looking at the same thing. I am with Sprint but it seems I can order unlocked from Apples site....

I just didn't know if there was in underlying differences in the phones guts internally.
If not I'd pribably buy direct from Apple due to the discount site I can use to save a few dollars.

 

[alpi123]

I was looking at the same thing. I am with Sprint but it seems I can order unlocked from Apples site....

I just didn't know if there was in underlying differences in the phones guts internally.
If not I'd pribably buy direct from Apple due to the discount site I can use to save a few dollars.

No, there's not. As others pointed out, unless you're getting a deal with a locked one, there's no point.

 

[Shadowbech]

Any iPhone you pay for in full will be unlocked.

This would be correct if it was purchased directly from the Apple Store or Apple.com. If it's purchased directly from the carrier, it is locked regardless of paying it full price. However, you can request an unlock after 60 days for some carriers like AT&T.

 

[devamir]

I bought in full my iphone 11 from Best buys. I had no idea i was buying a locked phone. They just asked me what carrier i was with.
Now i am in Europe for 4 months and it seems that i wont be able to use my Iphone.
I called my provider AT&T and they want me to wait 6 month before they unlock it.
Any suggestions?

 

[Banglazed]

I bought my iphone 11 from Best buys. I had no idea i was buying a locked phone. They just asked me what carrier i was with.
Now i am in Europe for 4 months and it seems that i wont be able to use my Iphone.
Any suggestions?

You are basically stuck because retailers use a Reseller Flex policy that is harder to unlock and easier for them to assign a carrier. However, it is possible based on the assigned carrier.

 

[AustinIllini]

I bought in full my iphone 11 from Best buys. I had no idea i was buying a locked phone. They just asked me what carrier i was with.
Now i am in Europe for 4 months and it seems that i wont be able to use my Iphone.
I called my provider AT&T and they want me to wait 6 month before they unlock it.
Any suggestions?

You're SOL. Sucks but that's how these things go. Push AT&T harder and threaten to leave.

 

[Velin]

Always, always buy unlocked. Period. Carrier-locked phones suck -- and frankly, should be banned in every country.

 

[devamir]

You are basically stuck because retailers use a Reseller Flex policy that is harder to unlock and easier for them to assign a carrier. However, it is possible based on the assigned carrier.

Thank’s for your answer.
What are the possibilities? Jail breaking you mean?
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You're SOL. Sucks but that's how these things go. Push AT&T harder and threaten to leave.

I called them 3 times, even talked to a manager. They told me to wait ... at least 4 months.

 

[danny842003]

Is locking just an American thing? The last 4 iPhones I have got on a plan have all been unlocked. 1 was in the UK 3 in Aus.

 

[brucemr]

If paying full Apple store price up front, I would never buy anything but a SIM free unlocked iphone, which means generally buying direct from Apple Store. This gives you the ultimate zero-hassle flexibility.

Sometimes at retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, etc, you may find a discount price (vs. the Apple store price). But that, and even when there is not a discount, comes w/ strings attached... The hassle of getting carrier to unlock should you want to change carrier. Or if you take a trip internationally, and would like the flexibility to pop in a local prepaid SIM card.

Be aware that the Apple Store also does the same thing, in USA anyway, by offering phones set up for and with SIM card of one of the carriers. For same price as unlocked iPhone price. Never understood why anyone would choose that (vs unlocked phone) in the Apple store, if price is the same.

 

[Banglazed]

Thank’s for your answer.
What are the possibilities? Jail breaking you mean?
[automerge]1570830657[/automerge]

I called them 3 times, even talked to a manager. They told me to wait ... at least 4 months.

You either pay third party to unlock the device. There are plenty of eBay sellers who offer them (mostly for AT&T) but, before you purchase any, you must purchase a GSX report to show what is the current activation policy.

Or you use physical SIM unlock adapter such as RSim

 

[saberahul]

Search the forum. If I remember correctly, even if you buy from Apple (say Verizon) and want to use on something else, it’s locked for 40 or so days. I personally don’t see any reason to choose a carrier. When I bought all my 11 Pros I picked unlocked and haven’t had issues.

 

[devamir]

You either pay third party to unlock the device. There are plenty of eBay sellers who offer them (mostly for AT&T) but, before you purchase any, you must purchase a GSX report to show what is the current activation policy.

Or you use physical SIM unlock adapter such as RSim

If a third party unlock’s the phone, would I loose the Apple care warranty?

 

[roguester]

I always buy from Apple and choose the sim free option.