What is Unlocked with (Carrier) Sim Card?

[AvatarTessa]

I'm looking into pre-ordering a iPhone XR on the 19th. This is my first iPhone and after seeing that you could buy the XS sim-free, I figured that is how all the phones were. However, as of now, the XR is only available with four main carriers, which I learned is actually the norm at first.

However, if I select a carrier and pick that I am paying the full cost of the phone upfront, the cart says I am receiving an unlocked iPhone with a sim card for whatever the carrier is. My question is, will this phone then work for any carrier since it is unlocked? What exactly does it mean when it says it comes with a sim card? I will be using Cricket Wireless, which just requires me to bring any type of phone I want into the store for them to place their sim card in. I just want to make sure this would be possible if I did pre-order the phone this way.

 

[kryten3000]

Because you’re paying full price upfront, the phone you will receive will be SIM-unlocked. However, the carrier you choose for your phone will have their SIM installed.

Upon receiving the phone, BUT PRIOR to turning it on the first time take your Cricket Wireless SIM out of your old phone and put it into your new phone. Then begin the activation process. This will insure that your new phone won’t by some chance be carrier locked (it might not anyway, but better safe than sorry).