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SIM FREE MODEL - IPHONE X
- Thread starter 3kitties
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indychris
macrumors 6502a
Chatted with an Apple rep yesterday. She said that they are getting that question multiple times/day, and that Apple hasn't even stated at this time whether or not they are going to offer a sim-free version.
Logic says, "Of course they will!" But there apparently is not time table available on that yet. It wouldn't surprise me if they don't release one until they get all of the Carrier orders fulfilled that use the Qualcomm chip (assuming that the Sim-free will utilize that chip).
Logic says, "Of course they will!" But there apparently is not time table available on that yet. It wouldn't surprise me if they don't release one until they get all of the Carrier orders fulfilled that use the Qualcomm chip (assuming that the Sim-free will utilize that chip).
Lobwedgephil
macrumors 603
It was available on the 8 right away, but based on the 7 and 6, it is typically about a month after launch.
ukms
macrumors demi-god
Assume you mean in the US ? Or elsewhere
Many markets were selling SIM free from day one.
Buying an iPhone at full price from Apple store will get you an unlocked iPhone. I do see some people saying about needing US SIM to activate or something. Maybe someone can verify this.
For a guarantee, get a Verizon version as Verizon is compelled by US regulation to sell LTE phones unlocked out of the box.
For a guarantee, get a Verizon version as Verizon is compelled by US regulation to sell LTE phones unlocked out of the box.
phoni
macrumors member
Givmeabrek
macrumors 68040
Sim Free X is being sold to most of the world right now. For some reason ($) it's not yet sold that way in the US...
Is the question about an iPhone which does not require a SIM card? If so, Apple has not stated if this will be available or not so nobody has one yet.
As for unlocked, all iPhone X sold direct from Apple are unlocked - both full price and IUP purchases.
Op Ed - Use proper grammar folks. I was at Petco once and saw a product that was called "Cat Milk". I was thinking how the hell do they get milk from a cat without it going all out postal mode? I asked the Petco rep and she laughed and said "I suppose they really should call it Milk 'for' Cats".
As for unlocked, all iPhone X sold direct from Apple are unlocked - both full price and IUP purchases.
Op Ed - Use proper grammar folks. I was at Petco once and saw a product that was called "Cat Milk". I was thinking how the hell do they get milk from a cat without it going all out postal mode? I asked the Petco rep and she laughed and said "I suppose they really should call it Milk 'for' Cats".
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What do you mean by SIM free? You can go into any store and pick up a full priced verizon and T-Mobile and they are not locked - just don't put the SIM in the box into the phone. Online Apple asks for Verizon account info, but not for T-Mobile, in store, they ask for neither. My brother who is on Cricket wireless bought a Tmobile phone at Apple this week and just put his SIM in and thats it.
The T-Mobile version does not support all 4 U.S. networks, while the Verizon and Sprint versions do, if I recall correctly. If you're going to only use the phone on T-Mobile and AT&T networks, then you're good to go. But if you are likely to switch to a carrier that uses Verizon's or Sprint's network, the T-Mobile iPhone X won't work.
AT&T phone won’t work at all on Verizon? I thought it could but would only works LTE if dropped to lower it would be like a no service. I guess I was wrong
This whole carrier issue in the US is bull crap. I hate the way Apple does this. It means theoretically only US gets INTEL modem??!!
Howyalikdemapls
macrumors 6502a
I tried my T-Mobile iPhone 7 on Verizon and it didn’t work at all. Not even when there was good LTE coverage.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
I think constrained inventories and the global rollout are the reason why Apple has yet to release the phone as sim free in the US. A month time frame is a good rule of thumb when it comes to this, and remember its only been a week since Apple released the phone for sale.
Newtons Apple
Suspended
The reason it is not sold sooner is due to an agreement with the carriers so that they can have their feeding frenzy first.
Howyalikdemapls
macrumors 6502a
There seems to be some misunderstanding in this thread. SIM-free is the correct term. It means an iPhone X sold without a SIM card. These SIM-free phones will be the Verizon model which are compatible with GSM and CDMA networks.
The T-Mobile iPhone X is only compatible with GSM networks and will not work on Verizon or Sprint.
The term “unlocked” means the phone is not locked to a specific carrier. All iPhones are sold unlocked now (at least if you pay the full price for the device), but just because it isn’t locked to a specific carrier doesn’t mean it will work on other carriers. An unlocked GSM phone will work on other GSM networks but if it doesn’t support CDMA networks then it won’t work even though it’s “unlocked.”
This is because Apple uses modems from both Qualcomm and Intel, supposedly in order to have enough supply, where if they only produced the GSM&CDMA model (the one that will be sold as the SIM-free model) then they would be much further behind in meeting demand.
The T-Mobile iPhone X is only compatible with GSM networks and will not work on Verizon or Sprint.
The term “unlocked” means the phone is not locked to a specific carrier. All iPhones are sold unlocked now (at least if you pay the full price for the device), but just because it isn’t locked to a specific carrier doesn’t mean it will work on other carriers. An unlocked GSM phone will work on other GSM networks but if it doesn’t support CDMA networks then it won’t work even though it’s “unlocked.”
This is because Apple uses modems from both Qualcomm and Intel, supposedly in order to have enough supply, where if they only produced the GSM&CDMA model (the one that will be sold as the SIM-free model) then they would be much further behind in meeting demand.
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It was available in the US. It’s the model Best Buy was selling at full price + $100
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Good point, I forgot that its in the carriers best interest to have apple delay the sim free model, and that must play into big picture of the roll out
Chupa Chupa
macrumors G5
No. VZW is the psuedo SIM-Free model. The TMob model is unlocked but it is also GSM. The VZW is unlocked and GSM and CDMA, which is what the SIM-Free model is.
You can buy a VZW model at an Apple Store and remove the SIM and it's then the same as the SIM-Free model. It's what I did.
nviz22
Cancelled
Apparently, Reddit users claim you can use a Verizon sim in a T-Mobile unlocked device? All you're missing is the CDMA backbone for low signal areas?
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Apple isn't being clear about doing that with me because I was told conflicting things in various conversations. Apple's phone sales staff told me that you can go to any Apple Store w/ stock and get it outright. Online won't let me even order anything besides T-Mobile. Another Apple Store guy told me I needed a Verizon account to buy it. I am tired of getting up at 6 am to try doing a reservation for 20 minutes straight. I am mad at myself that I cancelled my first two orders and then also had an order done for pickup on Thursday to just come up shorthanded long story short.
lirn8
macrumors 6502
nviz22
Cancelled
Sorry, didn't see the Israel location until now. But yeah, CDMA is old and useless tech.
Chupa Chupa
macrumors G5
You definitely can't buy a VZW phone online w/o an account. You can buy one as "equipment only" as a walk-in at an Apple Store IF you are paying full price. Again that is what I did, no problem. Anyone at the store telling you otherwise is misinformed.
nviz22
Cancelled
But the line is rediculous, right? I work full about 45-60 hrs a week and go to school full time, so can't afford to go to wait in line.