Is the ability for employees to get a discount new? When I worked for Apple years ago, the iPhone was the one piece of hardware we could never get any discount on, because of how the carrier contracts were structured. (Which was ironic, because people thought we got them for free.)
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SIM-Free iPhone X Now Available From Apple Online Store in the United States
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Nah, there was an AT&T branded model that had an extra band that my SIM-Free iPhone didn't, at the time.
https://9to5mac.com/2015/10/09/psa-iphone-6s-att-best-worldphone/
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They got a 25% EPP, but only on the Sim-Free version, when it was at stable stock levels. This was the case around the 6S (that was the last year I worked there).
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Because most consumers are not paying full price, they are going with carrier financing. I am sure the carriers don't want everyone to have a SIM-Free unlocked phone, because one could make a single payment, and then ghost on the contract. There are a lot of people in the US that don't take their credit score seriously enough, and just default on these payments to sell the devices on Craigslist.
This should be the only version of the phone ever sold by Apple. We are no longer being incentivized by the carriers.
I just started having battery issues with my iPhone 6 and happily found the local Apple store had sim free in stock for pickup today. I ordered the 256GB for pickup at 10am . I really wanted to enroll in the upgrade program but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to replace mine since I’m traveling, does anyone know if I can change that when I go to pick it up?
Unfortunately, they can't keep the Verizon or Sim free phone in stock in Tucson.
The real take-away is "You can now buy an unlocked contract-less iPhone X, that works on all carriers, without sharing any details about your current carrier", for those confused by this. (You could already do this before if you knew how to ask the right questions, and buy in the right ways.
For more details on the differences between the models see
https://www.techwalls.com/iphone-x-models-a1865-a1901-a1902-differences/
For more details on the differences between the models see
https://www.techwalls.com/iphone-x-models-a1865-a1901-a1902-differences/
Information RE: CDMA.
It is programmed to be phased-out world-wide, or already deprecated:
VERIZON:
CDMA network to shut down on 31 Dec 2019.
Devices that are not 4G LTE compatible will not activate after June 30, 2018.
Network to phase-out in favor of LTE.
BELL CANADA:
CDMA network to be shut down starting 31 Jan 2017 and completed in April 2018.
Network to phase-out in favor of LTE.
AMERICAS, OTHER - BELL SOUTH "Movistar"
CDMA network deprecated in 2012.
Network phased-out in favor of 4G LTE.
Adios Qualcomm advantage.
It is programmed to be phased-out world-wide, or already deprecated:
VERIZON:
CDMA network to shut down on 31 Dec 2019.
Devices that are not 4G LTE compatible will not activate after June 30, 2018.
Network to phase-out in favor of LTE.
BELL CANADA:
CDMA network to be shut down starting 31 Jan 2017 and completed in April 2018.
Network to phase-out in favor of LTE.
AMERICAS, OTHER - BELL SOUTH "Movistar"
CDMA network deprecated in 2012.
Network phased-out in favor of 4G LTE.
Adios Qualcomm advantage.
Yes, the carrier agnostic nature of the Qualcomm is attractive to some, and that will be a nonissue in the near future, but isn’t the real advantage that it’s simply a faster modem (at times) on any network?
Just checked DC metro area, SIM-Free is available today in almost every Apple Store here in Virginia.
Correct. it is not only faster (multi-path aggregation), but apparently also able to lock-on weaker signals.
But there is no secret source after CDMA. And Intel will catch up under LTE.
Not sure why there is so much confusion here (or maybe it's just me)...
There are 2 iPhone X models: A1865 and A1901. A1865 has a Qualcomm modem. A1901 has an Intel modem. A recent test shows the Qualcomm modem is somewhat faster and better than the Intel modem under certain conditions. A1865 also has the advantage of being backward compatible to BOTH CDMA (still used when signal is poor on Verizon and Sprint networks) AND GSM (still used when signal is poor on ATT and T-Mobile). A1901 is only backward compatible to GSM. Therefore, with 2 strikes against it and the ability to now buy the A1865 without having to activate it on Verizon or Sprint while purchasing (i.e., "SIM Free"), many consider the A1901 dogpoo and and not worth buying in any case.
Note on "locking" and SIMs (activation): My understanding is that "locking" is a bit of a red herring in your decision process here. It's really just a procedure networks use to prevent specific hardware from being swapped to another network without authorization. Getting a SIM while buying your iPhone (i.e., choosing a carrier or "activating" at purchase) doesn't necessarily mean you'll get locked, although it might (I'm looking at you ATT).
SIMs are the ID card of the cellular world. All devices need one to ID and connect to the specific network. When you get one you're "activating" your device on the network. You might get one when you buy your equipment (in which case you might get it for free) or you might get one later (in which case you might have to pay for it - I'm looking you T-Mobile).
Unless your equipment is locked (see above), you can pull out your SIM and put in one from another network, but BE AWARE that unlike the "superuser" of iPhones (the A1865) not all iPhones are backward compatible to all legacy networks. Thus, for example, you might be able to stick a Verizon SIM into an iPhone you bought "with" ATT, but it might only work with 4G/LTE so if your signal isn't great and Verizon tries to switch you to CDMA 3G or lower, which does happen, you probably won't have connectivity at all (and might have to deal with that whole "can't talk and text" issue) or worse.
PLEASE anyone out there correct me if I'm wrong. I'd like to be totally clear on all this too. Thanks.
There are 2 iPhone X models: A1865 and A1901. A1865 has a Qualcomm modem. A1901 has an Intel modem. A recent test shows the Qualcomm modem is somewhat faster and better than the Intel modem under certain conditions. A1865 also has the advantage of being backward compatible to BOTH CDMA (still used when signal is poor on Verizon and Sprint networks) AND GSM (still used when signal is poor on ATT and T-Mobile). A1901 is only backward compatible to GSM. Therefore, with 2 strikes against it and the ability to now buy the A1865 without having to activate it on Verizon or Sprint while purchasing (i.e., "SIM Free"), many consider the A1901 dogpoo and and not worth buying in any case.
Note on "locking" and SIMs (activation): My understanding is that "locking" is a bit of a red herring in your decision process here. It's really just a procedure networks use to prevent specific hardware from being swapped to another network without authorization. Getting a SIM while buying your iPhone (i.e., choosing a carrier or "activating" at purchase) doesn't necessarily mean you'll get locked, although it might (I'm looking at you ATT).
SIMs are the ID card of the cellular world. All devices need one to ID and connect to the specific network. When you get one you're "activating" your device on the network. You might get one when you buy your equipment (in which case you might get it for free) or you might get one later (in which case you might have to pay for it - I'm looking you T-Mobile).
Unless your equipment is locked (see above), you can pull out your SIM and put in one from another network, but BE AWARE that unlike the "superuser" of iPhones (the A1865) not all iPhones are backward compatible to all legacy networks. Thus, for example, you might be able to stick a Verizon SIM into an iPhone you bought "with" ATT, but it might only work with 4G/LTE so if your signal isn't great and Verizon tries to switch you to CDMA 3G or lower, which does happen, you probably won't have connectivity at all (and might have to deal with that whole "can't talk and text" issue) or worse.
PLEASE anyone out there correct me if I'm wrong. I'd like to be totally clear on all this too. Thanks.
Let me make this super clear for you:
iPhone X - Sim Free+Verizon/Sprint models use Qualcomm Modems (which are marginally better than Intel Modems) and can be used on ANY CARRIER. CDMA or GSM, doesn't matter.
iPhone X - T-Mobile/ATT version uses Intel modems and are GSM only and can't be used on Verizon or Sprint.
People want the Sim Free version to get the BETTER Qualcomm modem.
In response to your question about ordering online. I won't order one until I get to hold and feel and see. The 2016 MBP was a good example. Upon actually being able to hands on, I decided a 2015 was much preferable. That lesson applies going forward.
And those people, I would argue, are putting wayyyy too fine of a point on which phone to choose. Apple famously avoids "spec sheet" talk. For them, it is all about the experience, whether the unit runs at x GHz or has Y GB RAM is immaterial in their view. It is how does the whole package work together. If you queried a sample of Intel modem users regarding their user experience I would bet you dollars to donuts that it would be superlative. The only folks getting wrapped around the axle on which modem to get are those that probably know what you described above and somehow equate that to a better experience or more wise choice (take your pick). Aside from being network neutral, again appealing to a pretty specific user, the differences are laughable to get hung up on (pun intended).
Disclaimer: I have an iP8
For science I tried a sim free this morning
Got an excellent screen! Superior to my
Current X and walking around making calls
Doesn’t break up... In my fringe signal apt
I swear it broke up calls where my
Intel 7+ did not. Odd considering the differences are smaller between radios this gEneration and my intel 7+ was never an issue. Thought it was overblown
Bought two for screen lottery but only had to crack open one. returning the other sealed I’ve seen enough bad screens I know this isn’t that...
Att intel model goes back ! Wee
Got an excellent screen! Superior to my
Current X and walking around making calls
Doesn’t break up... In my fringe signal apt
I swear it broke up calls where my
Intel 7+ did not. Odd considering the differences are smaller between radios this gEneration and my intel 7+ was never an issue. Thought it was overblown
Bought two for screen lottery but only had to crack open one. returning the other sealed I’ve seen enough bad screens I know this isn’t that...
Att intel model goes back ! Wee
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I was wondering that myself since I can still return my AT&T intel modem X and get the Qualcomm model. But it seems perfect and I don’t want to enter the screen and dust and weird noises lottery people are reporting. I think it sounds like I’d notice a difference mainly when traveling. I go through some poor signal areas.
Why would you lose $100?