Carrier Verizon: "replace this phone" versus buying SIM-free

[exi]

Stupid question, I'm sure, but curious.

I'm on an iPhone 6 on Verizon. Old contract long expired, been month-to-month for awhile. Bought from Apple, later AppleCare replaced by Apple.

When preordering the iPhone 7 via the Apple Store app, is there any difference between the "replace this phone" and the "purchase this phone... SIM-free" options?

Am aware Verizon devices were valued for being unlocked, but at this point in hardware, is there a reason to buy one or the other? Is choosing "replace this phone" the same as buying a SIM-free device and putting my current SIM into it, just with fewer steps until having an active device?

 

[willmtaylor]

I'm not sure, actually. I've always just replaced the phone because that's exactly what I was doing.

@JulesJam , you seems to have the inside track on some of these things. Any input here?

 

[eyoungren]

I'm not sure, actually. I've always just replaced the phone because that's exactly what I was doing.

Wouldn't 'replacing' just replace the phone with another Verizon model, where 'purchasing SIM-Free' would have the buyer purchasing a SIM-Free iPhone (which may or may not be the actual Verizon model)?

 

[willmtaylor]

Wouldn't 'replacing' just replace the phone with another Verizon model, where 'purchasing SIM-Free' would have the buyer purchasing a SIM-Free iPhone (which may or may not be the actual Verizon model)?

I would assume as much, but I'm not privy to such info, so I didn't want to speculate.

 

[Macnificant]

Can you buy Sim Free phone on launch day?

 

[bufffilm]

Can you buy Sim Free phone on launch day?

There is that...but assuming you could (buy both) on launch or shortly thereafter, is there a difference?

I've seen this question asked before, but nothing definitive has been posted. Or am I mistaken?