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SIM-Free iPhone X Now Available From Apple Online Store in the United States

My T-Mobile X just arrived today, but I haven't opened it. I wonder if I should return and order SIM Free since it's the same price?
 
When are all new iPhones gonna work with any carrier? I feel like this restriction is very artificial now. Surely if Verizon and Sprint phones can work on any network, then att and T-Mobile should be able to work on any network too.
 
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kappaknight said:
Because GSM is better? You can talk and use data at the same time vs. Verizon where you couldn't do that for awhile.

Just because the current gen of CDMA chips are supposedly faster, doesn't mean that the network is superior.
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So if you plan to use AT&T as a carrier, do you think you are better off sticking with the GSM version? Sounds like CDMA will work, but if GSM is the better network, I can't understand why people would forgoe a better network just for a chipset.
 
numbersyx said:
What was the reason for NOT allowing SIM free iphones? Could buy them from day one in Canada.
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Think it was to prevent scalpers from snatching them up on day one and re-selling them at crazy prices. Sure, they can do them with the contracted phones too, but it's much harder when it has to be tied to a carrier.
 
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Swampthing said:
Why didn’t you just buy an AT&T iPhone earlier? What advantage did you gain?

You weren’t to obligated to use carrier or Apple financing. I paid full price for mine so I don’t see any difference.
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The AT&T is GSM only. IThas an intel LTE modem and only works on AT&T and
T mobile whereas the Verizon iPhone X uses Qualcomm LTE modem which is the same used in the SIM free version and can be activated on any GSM or CDMA network.
 
I know the Qualcomm modem is faster than the Intel one. Is there any data to suggest that the Qualcomm modems also get better reception on iPhone? Am considering switching to the Qualcomm model.
 
Swampthing said:
So if you plan to use AT&T as a carrier, do you think you are better off sticking with the GSM version? Sounds like CDMA will work, but if GSM is the better network, I can't understand why people would forgoe a better network just for a chipset.
Click to expand...

For many, it's not so much about GSM vs. CDMA networks in the US (i.e. AT&T vs. Verizon), but to be able to put in whatever sim they want without having to put in too much thought when traveling.

When I moved to the US, I wanted to go with Verizon (because of better coverage in my area) but couldn't, because my sim-free-bought European iPhone didn't support CDMA.
 
numbersyx said:
What was the reason for NOT allowing SIM free iphones? Could buy them from day one in Canada.
Click to expand...
Yes but if you buy it off the Canadian website, it can’t ship to the USA, so you’d have to send it to a relatives or friends etc. house if you have one that lives there, or pick it up at an apple store in Canada
 
OldSchoolMacGuy said:
Think it was to prevent scalpers from snatching them up on day one and re-selling them at crazy prices. Sure, they can do them with the contracted phones too, but it's much harder when it has to be tied to a carrier.
Click to expand...

But scalpers do exist in other countries, too.

It's because of existing contracts with carriers in the US.
 
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Well i decided to replace my Space Grey (sold it) with Silver and it came last Friday, and today they offer SiM Free option. So I just ordered one and it will come in time to return my AT&T branded X. It's not that I will switch carriers again, but you never know if you will be in a situation that requires . sim free phone and I pay in full so why wouldn't I want sim free.

The only curiouss question is which modem are we getting Qualcomm or Intel. Or is this just a verizon/Sprint phone sold as sim free?
 
Greenmeenie said:
Question. Can you purchase an unlocked iphone X and activate it WITHOUT signing up to a carrier? I travel internationally a lot, and have a travel blog. I want to use the iphone X as my travel camera. I'd like to use wifi only...but then occassionally pop in a sim when i am overseas. It may sound odd, but i don't want to join any carrier service.

Another question...i also have a grandfathered unlimited ATT data plan for my iPad. Can i pop out that sim and put it into an iphone X? Just wondering.
Click to expand...
Any iPhone requires a SIM card to operate, pretty sure. At least that's how it's been since the start up through the 5 I just tried to boot with no SIM. Not all phones are like this, and IDK why the iPhone is. You can get around it by jailbreaking the device.
 
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Ankaa said:
For many, it's not so much about GSM vs. CDMA networks in the US (i.e. AT&T vs. Verizon), but to be able to put in whatever sim they want without having to put in too much thought when traveling..
Click to expand...

As long as the SIM supports GSM, you can still use another one in a different country on an AT&T iPhone. I've done that on several occasions. I didn't need a "SIM free" version for that.
 
Greenmeenie said:
Question. Can you purchase an unlocked iphone X and activate it WITHOUT signing up to a carrier? I travel internationally a lot, and have a travel blog. I want to use the iphone X as my travel camera. I'd like to use wifi only...but then occassionally pop in a sim when i am overseas. It may sound odd, but i don't want to join any carrier service.

Another question...i also have a grandfathered unlimited ATT data plan for my iPad. Can i pop out that sim and put it into an iphone X? Just wondering.
Click to expand...

Yes and yes
 
Swampthing said:
As long as the SIM supports GSM, you can still use another one in a different country on an AT&T iPhone. I've done that on several occasions. I didn't need a "SIM free" version for that.
Click to expand...

Well, yes of course! And I've done the same (went with AT&T with my European iPhone - which of course has to be unlocked. Many phones bought through a carrier are not). However, there >are< some countries (even if the minority) that don't use GSM at all. Besides, it's nice to have the choice. Before moving to the US, I didn't even know the two different networks exist.
 
Swampthing said:
As long as the SIM supports GSM, you can still use another one in a different country on an AT&T iPhone. I've done that on several occasions. I didn't need a "SIM free" version for that.
Click to expand...

Thanks - but I want a phone that's both compatible with GSM and CDMA networks. I remember reading awhile back for another version of the unlocked sim free iPhone/iPad that if activated with Sprint or Verizon it will lock the phone to that carrier, so I've been hesitant about picking one up.
 
seanbperiod said:
Thanks - but I want a phone that's both compatible with GSM and CDMA networks. I remember reading awhile back for another version of the unlocked sim free iPhone/iPad that if activated with Sprint or Verizon it will lock the phone to that carrier, so I've been hesitant about picking one up.
Click to expand...

neither Sprint or a Verizon will lock your phone to their network.
 
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