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T-Mobile Contract Free = Unlocked?

J

jashworth03

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 11, 2014
87
34
Really excited about the new 6S. I'm hoping that like last year, the T-Mobile variant of the phone is indeed unlocked and able to be purchased at full price.

Here is what I don't understand. If it is indeed unlocked, why doesn't Apple just sell an unlocked version at launch for full price? Why the delay and hassle?

I want to buy equipment and don't mind to pay retail, but I want it unlocked and good to go on the day I buy it! I hate that I'm chancing it by buying a "probably" unlocked T-Mo variant. Seems like Apple is doing a bad job taking my money!!!
 
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mattopotamus

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,705
5,995
It is GSM unlocked. They may actually sell a SIM free at full retail this year with this whole "upgrade your iPhone" thing. At least that is my hope.

SIM free is the best choice
verizon would be next best
t-mobile next (GSM unlocked)
att (GSM unlocked)
Sprint (however some have said they are now unlocked if bought at full retail), which would make them just as good as SIM fee in the US.

I hope they realize there is a large market for full retail pricing, and they would just sell a SIM free from the get go.
 
J

jashworth03

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 11, 2014
87
34
JodyK said:
YES bought one every launch that this has been available. Factory unlocked Tmobile Contract Free
Click to expand...
Agreed. Just would be nicer if I could buy an "Apple Unlocked Variant" rather than a "T-Mobile Unlocked Variant"
 
Gr81MB

Gr81MB

macrumors 6502
Dec 4, 2007
321
118
JodyK said:
It basically is ... only thing is there is a Tmoible sim pre loaded. No marking or logos on the box etc. Just a factory unlocked iPhone!
Click to expand...

Now you can get ATT, T Mobile, Or Sprint at "Pay In Full" "unlocked"
 
AppleFan91

AppleFan91

macrumors 68000
Sep 11, 2012
1,813
3,827
Indy, US
So to confirm, I could preorder the T-Mobile full retail version from Apple and pop in a Verizon SIM and it will work?
 
M

micho119

macrumors newbie
Sep 10, 2014
20
0
guys i'm chatting with apple support guys, they said that this year the only unlocked phone are the phones through iphone upgrade program.
 
Gr81MB

Gr81MB

macrumors 6502
Dec 4, 2007
321
118
micho119 said:
guys i'm chatting with apple support guys, they said that this year the only unlocked phone are the phones through iphone upgrade program.
Click to expand...

Cant be he has no clue what they are talking about. Went through this last year, why pay $849 $949 ect. for a phone that "Pay in Full" and have it come to you LOCKED. Does not make sense.
 
M

mgmusicman94

macrumors 6502a
Nov 16, 2008
871
240
mattopotamus said:
It is GSM unlocked. They may actually sell a SIM free at full retail this year with this whole "upgrade your iPhone" thing. At least that is my hope.

SIM free is the best choice
verizon would be next best
t-mobile next (GSM unlocked)
att (GSM unlocked)
Sprint (however some have said they are now unlocked if bought at full retail), which would make them just as good as SIM fee in the US.

I hope they realize there is a large market for full retail pricing, and they would just sell a SIM free from the get go.
Click to expand...

T-Mobile is fully unlocked. It will work on Verizon. T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint phones are all as good as sim free when purchased in full from Apple. The only questionable one is AT&T which may be only GSM unlocked.

AppleFan91 said:
So to confirm, I could preorder the T-Mobile full retail version from Apple and pop in a Verizon SIM and it will work?
Click to expand...

Correct!
 
Z

ZigZagLens

macrumors regular
May 16, 2007
112
44
But supposedly the AT&T and T-Mobile phones are not the same - they are apparently two different model numbers. I bought T-Mobile unlocked, assuming I could just put my AT&T SIM in and use it (like I did with my 6). I didn't pick the AT&T one because I'm out of contract and just didn't want to deal with all the "let's see if you're qualified for an upgrade" BS. Plus, screw AT&T for wanting an upgrade fee!! For what??

But now I'm thinking I might have screwed up.

See this article and its comments for some more info (even though they seem as confused as I am).
 
T

The19th

macrumors regular
Jul 24, 2014
205
43
NorCal
We're currently discussing this in the iPhone 6s LTE 30 Band and CDMA Version Megathread

For this round, the AT&T phone may have the most compatibility as it has all the bands the other models have (including CDMA) and LTE Band 30. This is based on the iPhone 6s specifications page.

Until the actual hardware gets into people's hands though, there's not a lot of concrete info.

Yes, the PCMag article from September 10 says the AT&T phone may be "limiting" but Apple updated the specs page on Saturday, September 12.
 
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T

The19th

macrumors regular
Jul 24, 2014
205
43
NorCal
ZigZagLens said:
But supposedly the AT&T and T-Mobile phones are not the same - they are apparently two different model numbers. I bought T-Mobile unlocked, assuming I could just put my AT&T SIM in and use it (like I did with my 6).
Click to expand...

The models are indeed different: A1633/1634 for AT&T, and A1687/1688 (GSM) for T-Mo. The only difference that we can spot so far is that the A163x models have Band 30. Technically, both GSM variants will still function on AT&T's network–using the Contract-Free T-Mo phone will still allow you to pop an AT&T SIM in it and make calls and access the internet over the other LTE Bands that are common to all six (6s and 6s Plus) models. You're just not able to access the less congested (but still not widely rolled out) LTE Band 30 that are specific to the AT&T A163x models, like the existing iPhone 6 models currently do.
 
Z

ZigZagLens

macrumors regular
May 16, 2007
112
44
The19th said:
The models are indeed different: A1633/1634 for AT&T, and A1687/1688 (GSM) for T-Mo. The only difference that we can spot so far is that the A163x models have Band 30. Technically, both GSM variants will still function on AT&T's network–using the Contract-Free T-Mo phone will still allow you to pop an AT&T SIM in it and make calls and access the internet over the other LTE Bands that are common to all six (6s and 6s Plus) models. You're just not able to access the less congested (but still not widely rolled out) LTE Band 30 that are specific to the AT&T A163x models, like the existing iPhone 6 models currently do.
Click to expand...

But if I'm reading this correctly, the T-Mobile iPhone (1688) will not support LTE at all on AT&T's network.
 
Last edited:
T

The19th

macrumors regular
Jul 24, 2014
205
43
NorCal
The.316 said:
So a T-Mobile phone would be my best bet to use in Greece?
Click to expand...

Looks like Cosmote, Vodafone, and WIND in Greece use LTE bands 3 and/or 7. Technically, either model (A168x or A163x) should work. The Contact-Free/T-Mobile phone shouldn't be locked (based on previous iPhones) and you should be able to insert your Greek SIM and work without trouble over there.

The only wildcard is if the AT&T model (A163x) is locked to AT&T, where you can't simply insert your Greek SIM and have it work. I don't see why this would be the case though, again based on previous iPhone generation models.
 
The.316

The.316

macrumors 65816
Jul 14, 2010
1,400
164
25100 GR
The19th said:
Looks like Cosmote, Vodafone, and WIND in Greece use LTE bands 3 and/or 7. Technically, either model (A168x or A163x) should work. The Contact-Free/T-Mobile phone shouldn't be locked (based on previous iPhones) and you should be able to insert your Greek SIM and work without trouble over there.

The only wildcard is if the AT&T model (A163x) is locked to AT&T, where you can't simply insert your Greek SIM and have it work. I don't see why this would be the case though, again based on previous iPhone generation models.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I use Cosmote here in Greece. I just wanted to make sure what I was getting in to, since I will be paying around $900 for the phone when all is said and done.
 
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