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Sim-Free iPhone 7 available this Friday?

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s54

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Sep 25, 2012
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Can anyone confirm if the iPhone 7 will be sold as a "sim-free" version this Friday?

I'm looking for any info related to the sim-free iPhone 7. Please save me the speech about getting a Verizon "sim-free" iPhone 7. I want the actual sim-free edition that doesn't require me to have an account with Verizon.
 
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Account is only necessary when ordering online. You could walk into an Apple store and get a Verizon phone with no account if you pay in full.
 
The sim-free won't be available until at least 2 weeks after launch day, most likely a month.
 
No sim-free yet.

If it like the 6s launch a year ago, a 2 week wait. Which isn't too bad.
 
Anybody saying things like "2 weeks" is just speculating. It could be 3 weeks, it could be 4 months, it could be never. There's been no consistent history with how Apple releases the SIM-free model and absolutely no leaked information on availability.

My guess is it usually depends on demand. For popular releases like the iPhone 6, they are forking their production towards where the most demand is, which is carrier-specific phones. Once that demand is satiated, they will free manufacturing up for SIM-free models. With less popular phones like the iPhone 6s, that happens quicker, so it could be a few months. The iPhone 7 is tracking somewhere in between, so my guess would be 4-8 weeks.
 
Florida Gator said:
Anybody saying things like "2 weeks" is just speculating. It could be 3 weeks, it could be 4 months, it could be never. There's been no consistent history with how Apple releases the SIM-free model and absolutely no leaked information on availability.

My guess is it usually depends on demand. For popular releases like the iPhone 6, they are forking their production towards where the most demand is, which is carrier-specific phones. Once that demand is satiated, they will free manufacturing up for SIM-free models. With less popular phones like the iPhone 6s, that happens quicker, so it could be a few months. The iPhone 7 is tracking somewhere in between, so my guess would be 4-8 weeks.
Click to expand...

Read my original post:

All I said was that last year, it was a 2 week wait.

I made no prediction when the sim-free model for the 7/+ would go on sale.

Apparently, you can't read.
 
As others have stated. SIM free will not be available at launch. It is typically available a minimum of 2 weeks after launch and can take several months as well. It depends on demand of the product. If they have overwhelming demand for carrier devices, then they won't make SIM free ones until the demands die down. It took 2 weeks last year, and over 3 months the year before.
 
Jumpie said:
Just get the Verizon. It's the same as sim free
Click to expand...

99% chance it is, but there's a 1% chance the SIM-free version in the US might be the A1779, which is the Japanese version. It takes everything the A1660 has and adds three additional LTE bands and Type-F NFC. Doubtful this will be the US SIM-free version, but it's possible.

Also, a lot of us don't have Verizon accounts and cannot order one without signing up with the intent to cancel. Just a big hassle (and a credit check).
 
Florida Gator said:
99% chance it is, but there's a 1% chance the SIM-free version in the US might be the A1779, which is the Japanese version. It takes everything the A1660 has and adds three additional LTE bands and Type-F NFC. Doubtful this will be the US SIM-free version, but it's possible.

Also, a lot of us don't have Verizon accounts and cannot order one without signing up with the intent to cancel. Just a big hassle (and a credit check).
Click to expand...

Is there any consistent story about whether you can walk into an Apple Store and buy a Verizon iPhone 7 without having to do the above? Everyone says ordering online requires an account, but there seems to be some variation in reports about whether they check your account status if buying in-store.

And are the A1779's extra bands likely to translate to meaningful performance advantages over the A1660 if released in the US?
 
sr913 said:
Is there any consistent story about whether you can walk into an Apple Store and buy a Verizon iPhone 7 without having to do the above? Everyone says ordering online requires an account, but there seems to be some variation in reports about whether they check your account status if buying in-store.
Click to expand...

No consistent stories. I haven't really seen anybody say they went into a Verizon store without an account and buy a phone. Guess we'll know more soon.

sr913 said:
And are the A1779's extra bands likely to translate to meaningful performance advantages over the A1660 if released in the US?
Click to expand...

No. It's really just important if you plan to travel to Japan.
 
Jumpie said:
Just get the Verizon. It's the same as sim free
Click to expand...

Anyone know if you can purchase this via IUP if you are not using Verizon?
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sr913 said:
Is there any consistent story about whether you can walk into an Apple Store and buy a Verizon iPhone 7 without having to do the above? Everyone says ordering online requires an account, but there seems to be some variation in reports about whether they check your account status if buying in-store.

And are the A1779's extra bands likely to translate to meaningful performance advantages over the A1660 if released in the US?
Click to expand...

That is up in the air at present. What I do know is that the Verizon and Sprint model utilize the qualcom LTE modem, which is capable of supporting T-Mobiles uber-fast 4x4 mimo service.
 
bufffilm said:
No sim-free yet.

If it like the 6s launch a year ago, a 2 week wait. Which isn't too bad.
Click to expand...
Actually, I went today with my 7 black preorder for ATT, and I ended up getting a full price Verizon instead. so it is possible.
remember, unlocked will likely be Tmobile/Att like previous years, (i.e GSM only) unless you ask for Verizon....
 
Gangalanga said:
Actually, I went today with my 7 black preorder for ATT, and I ended up getting a full price Verizon instead. so it is possible.
remember, unlocked will likely be Tmobile/Att like previous years, (i.e GSM only) unless you ask for Verizon....
Click to expand...

So you were able to snag a Verizon phone even though you're not a Verizon customer?

Interesting...was this at an Apple store?

Pre-orders you couldn't do that, I think..
 
Last edited:
Jumpie said:
I'm not sure what band 30 is but the phone is unlocked
Click to expand...

Last year, IIRC, the verizon 6S worked on all carries, but it was lacking a certain ATT band for LTE (band 30). The SIM free version had this band, but the verizon version did not. A small difference, but they are not always the same phones.
 
Florida Gator said:
No consistent stories. I haven't really seen anybody say they went into a Verizon store without an account and buy a phone. Guess we'll know more soon.
Click to expand...

Looks like quite a few people are reporting having done this now, which is good news.......if I'm reading this correctly, it means.....
(1) the Verizon version is basically equivalent to the forthcoming "sim-free" version, as in no meaningful performance differences (if you're not traveling to Japan).
(2) you can purchase the Verizon version in a store (not online) without an account, as long as you ask for "device only".
 
sr913 said:
Looks like quite a few people are reporting having done this now, which is good news.......if I'm reading this correctly, it means.....
(1) the Verizon version is basically equivalent to the forthcoming "sim-free" version, as in no meaningful performance differences (if you're not traveling to Japan).
(2) you can purchase the Verizon version in a store (not online) without an account, as long as you ask for "device only".
Click to expand...

At the apple store yes. Not sure if a verizon store would let you do that, which is what the OP was asking.
 
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