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SIM-free iPhone 6S at launch in USA? [MERGED]

F

Florida Gator

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 26, 2004
233
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I know we won't know until they officially announce, but just wanted to see if anybody had any theories.

Assuming it will be similar to the iPhone 6, I would like the SIM-free iPhone 6S rather than a potential unlocked T-Mobile version due to the additional LTE bands of the former for travel in Asia and better international AppleCare support.

The problem is, last time, the unlocked A1549 version was available at launch in September and the actual SIM-free A1586 version didn't come out until the following January, nearly 4 months later.

Anybody have any guesses? I know the SIM-free versions have been available sooner for other models. Maybe this is the year they truly just have one? Thoughts?
 
I've been getting unlocked iPhones at launch since the 4 so I hope they'll be available. Shocked if not as that would be a bit of a change.
 
Flow39 said:
Considering they haven't done that in the past, I'd say the chances for a SIM-free model on launch day are pretty slim.
Click to expand...
Typically in the U.S., they don't immediately release the SIM-free model at launch. Will the 6S be different? Most likely not but you never know as the mobile industry in the U.S. has changed drastically in the last year. Having said that, if in the U.S. and no intention of using sprint you could always try to get a Verizon version which would give you access to AT&T, t-mobile and of course Verizon. But with the 6S I'm hoping they'll be able to fit more bands into the device so it's just one device for the U.S. and would work on all carriers.
 
paulopadopa said:
I've been getting unlocked iPhones at launch since the 4 so I hope they'll be available. Shocked if not as that would be a bit of a change.
Click to expand...

Typically yes, you can buy the phone outright at the apple store and they should be unlocked (except Sprint, not sure). But they still would include a sim card in side. The one for sim-free model that doesn't come with the sim card will likely be out later, I would assume 3-4 month.
 
rockitdog said:
Just a buy a Verizon iPhone 6s at launch...
Click to expand...

I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the current Verizon iPhone 6 is the A1549 model that doesn't have the 38-41 bands, right? Which are a part of some networks in China, Philippines and Africa. Which I plan to travel to.

It looks like Apple released the SIM-free versions of the iPhone 5S in November, rather than January, so hopefully that will be a more likely scenario this go around.
 
Well the iPads have the Apple SIM right? I'm sure carriers won't like this universal SIM but Apple would sure benefit from something like that especially with the phones.
 
Last time I bought t-mo phone directly from Apple, it was unlocked. If you buy it from t-mo it will be locked. You can also buy Verizon iphone, it is sim unlocked, but I don't know if you can buy one without VZW account.

SIM free Apple version has more lte 30-31 i belive, for Asia and eastern Europe
 
Last edited:
imlynxy said:
Last time I bought t-mo phone directly from Apple, it was unlocked. If you buy it from t-mo it will be locked. You can also buy Verizon iphone, it is sim unlocked, but I don't know if you can buy one without VZW account.

SIM free Apple version has more lte 30-31 i belive, for Asia and eastern Europe
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have the unlocked T-Mobile iPhone 6 that I bought directly from Apple right now. Unfortunately, there are two drawbacks:

1. As you mentioned, it's missing some LTE bands used in countries I visit.

2. I believe that if damaged abroad, international Apple Stores won't service or replace it due to it technically being a T-Mobile phone that they wouldn't have in stock. The true SIM-free version can be serviced and replaced by international Apple Stores. Correct me if I'm wrong, here.
 
timeconsumer said:
Typically in the U.S., they don't immediately release the SIM-free model at launch. Will the 6S be different? Most likely not but you never know as the mobile industry in the U.S. has changed drastically in the last year. Having said that, if in the U.S. and no intention of using sprint you could always try to get a Verizon version which would give you access to AT&T, t-mobile and of course Verizon. But with the 6S I'm hoping they'll be able to fit more bands into the device so it's just one device for the U.S. and would work on all carriers.
Click to expand...

It would be nice if they would launch the SIM-Free model on day one. We never know, they could do it this year!

I'd also like for Apple to just make a phone that would work on all carriers. It would simplify the amount of SKUs they'd have to carry and everyone would get the phone they wanted because they wouldn't run out of a specific carrier.
 
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Flow39 said:
It would be nice if they would launch the SIM-Free model on day one. We never know, they could do it this year!

I'd also like for Apple to just make a phone that would work on all carriers. It would simplify the amount of SKUs they'd have to carry and everyone would get the phone they wanted because they wouldn't run out of a specific carrier.
Click to expand...

I assume there are legitimate business reasons (cost) behind manufacturing two different models, but it always struck me as odd that they don't just give everybody the A1586.
 
I think it's because Apple has an agreement with the U.S. carriers to not have SIM-Free models available at launch. That way, people are forced to sign new or renew contracts. It's not as if the SIM-Free models are different from those that are locked or assigned to specific carriers.
 
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I think there is a good chance that Apple will release a sim free version sooner, considering that 2 year contracts are almost completely gone.
 
barkomatic said:
I think there is a good chance that Apple will release a sim free version sooner, considering that 2 year contracts are almost completely gone.
Click to expand...
True, but carriers have replaced it with Next, Edge, Jump On Demand, and iPhone Forever. They may not be contracts, but you and your iPhone will still be "locked" in a payment plan. :rolleyes:
 
MJedi said:
True, but carriers have replaced it with Next, Edge, Jump On Demand, and iPhone Forever. They may not be contracts, but you and your iPhone will still be "locked" in a payment plan. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

With that said would it be cheaper to buy the phone outright (factory unlocked) and then just have to pay the voice/data plan (at carrier of my choosing). This is exactly what I am trying to figure out at the moment in advance of the 6s/6s+ launch.
 
Florida Gator said:
I assume there are legitimate business reasons (cost) behind manufacturing two different models, but it always struck me as odd that they don't just give everybody the A1586.
Click to expand...
I believe it is that there wasn't a chip that supports all the bands. I'm not sure if that has changed, but whenever it is possible they will go to one model.
 
Florida Gator said:
I know we won't know until they officially announce, but just wanted to see if anybody had any theories.

Assuming it will be similar to the iPhone 6, I would like the SIM-free iPhone 6S rather than a potential unlocked T-Mobile version due to the additional LTE bands of the former for travel in Asia and better international AppleCare support.

The problem is, last time, the unlocked A1549 version was available at launch in September and the actual SIM-free A1586 version didn't come out until the following January, nearly 4 months later.

Anybody have any guesses? I know the SIM-free versions have been available sooner for other models. Maybe this is the year they truly just have one? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
What's stopping Apple from offering SIM-free version from Day 1? All carriers have taken away the option from Apple to renew subsidized contracts. Apple should be able to offer SIM-free version. Is there any contractual obligation that anybody knows of?
 
i think it mostly has to do with China. if they launch within a month we can expect sim free models day one but more than that we will probably have to wait. this is to prevent the people waiting in line and shipping back to china for 2x the price. yes they can still get it if there is not a sim free model(buy t mobile) but just a little harder.
 
Florida Gator said:
Yeah, I have the unlocked T-Mobile iPhone 6 that I bought directly from Apple right now. Unfortunately, there are two drawbacks:

1. As you mentioned, it's missing some LTE bands used in countries I visit.

2. I believe that if damaged abroad, international Apple Stores won't service or replace it due to it technically being a T-Mobile phone that they wouldn't have in stock. The true SIM-free version can be serviced and replaced by international Apple Stores. Correct me if I'm wrong, here.
Click to expand...
For point number 2, this would be awesome. I just got the sim free iPhone 6 bc I'm going to China in 2 weeks and want to try the new 4G. If it can be serviced in China in case anything happens, that would be great.
 
ManUtd08 said:
With that said would it be cheaper to buy the phone outright (factory unlocked) and then just have to pay the voice/data plan (at carrier of my choosing). This is exactly what I am trying to figure out at the moment in advance of the 6s/6s+ launch.
Click to expand...
Buying it outright or using a financing option (like Next or Edge) is essentially the same as far as pricing goes--in one case you are paying it all right away, in the other case you are just paying off the same amount over time.
 
mrkramer said:
I believe it is that there wasn't a chip that supports all the bands. I'm not sure if that has changed, but whenever it is possible they will go to one model.
Click to expand...

Well there are two models now. The A1549 has 16 and the A1586 has the same 16 plus four TD ones. So they could definitely just do one.

Most people are price-sensitive and wouldn't buy the SIM-free version at launch even if it was an option. They'd rather get the subsidized (or whatever plan they have now) version because it seems cheaper. I doubt any carrier would be significantly affected by having it averrable at launch. Most people don't want or need unlocked phones.

Now, I can totally see that Apple may not offer one at launch because of the demand from people buying them through carriers. That is, since most people buy the carrier versions, and a fraction of a percent buy the SIM-free version, it makes more sense to make sure all the manufacturing serves the former while supplies are constrained.
 
C DM said:
Buying it outright or using a financing option (like Next or Edge) is essentially the same as far as pricing goes--in one case you are paying it all right away, in the other case you are just paying off the same amount over time.
Click to expand...

I'm really new to the whole unlocked thing. It really is not a cost savings but gives me more options to switch providers/SIM cards much easier and I wouldn't be 'locked' into a carrier with a financing option. Just trying to make sense of this as much as possible before the launch of the 6S/6S+.
 
I'm debating whether or not to sell my iPhone 6+ now before the price plummet when the new iPhone are announced but I want to know one thing. Were the unlocked iPhone available from the apple website on the first day of pre-order?

How was is it last year with the iPhone 6 & 6+ release? Did they include the iPhone unlocked or were they released few months later?
And I'm talking about pre-ordering them online & not camping outside an apple store the night before lol
 
The SIM free (unlocked) models usually come a couple of months after the initial launch.
 
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