When does Apple start selling SIM Free/Unlocked iPhones in North America?

[Azzin]

Hi all & greetings from the U.K.

I'm wondering because I'm running the New York marathon on November the 5th and was thinking about picking up a full price iPhone from an Apple Store.

Mainly because it may allow me to save a few £s as I have a travel card (Revolut) that charges the wholesale rate of exchange, rather than the extortionate rate most credit cards charge.

Cheers for any input.

 

[44267547]

Hi all & greetings from the U.K.

I'm wondering because I'm running the New York marathon on November the 5th and was thinking about picking up a full price iPhone from an Apple Store.

Mainly because it may allow me to save a few £s as I have a travel card (Revolut) that charges the wholesale rate of exchange, rather than the extortionate rate most credit cards charge.

Cheers for any input.

There is no set date when it releases. It's typically within 2–4 weeks after the initial launch of the iPhone. So I estimate around mid October. Macurmors will announce when it's available for reference.

 

[Azzin]

There is no set date when it releases. It's typically within 2–4 weeks after the initial launch of the iPhone. So I estimate around mid October. Macurmors will announce when it's available for reference.

That's what I was looking for thanks, looks like it may be a go for me to get one.

 

[Jinjin]

Hi all & greetings from the U.K.

I'm wondering because I'm running the New York marathon on November the 5th and was thinking about picking up a full price iPhone from an Apple Store.

Mainly because it may allow me to save a few £s as I have a travel card (Revolut) that charges the wholesale rate of exchange, rather than the extortionate rate most credit cards charge.

Cheers for any input.

ah so no pre-order shenanigans for you this year?!

 

[Azzin]

ah so no pre-order shenanigans for you this year?!

I'm just contemplating at this stage.

 

[kevjen888]

What are the advantages of these sim-free models over the carrier ones? I thought iPhones purchase from Apple Store are all unlocked anyway, so why specifically need the sim-free model? I'm using T-Mobile right now but I will get the Verizon model iPhone 8 from Apple Store as they avan be used on gsm as well as cdma networks overseas.

 

[Azzin]

What are the advantages of these sim-free models over the carrier ones? I thought iPhones purchase from Apple Store are all unlocked anyway, so why specifically need the sim-free model? I'm using T-Mobile right now but I will get the Verizon model iPhone 8 from Apple Store as they avan be used on gsm as well as cdma networks overseas.

I live in the U.K and all phones sold by Apple direct are identical and fully unlocked and SIM Free, meaning I can switch SIM cards/carriers whenever I choose.

It's different in the USA I think due to having GSM & CSMA networks (I think), but for me, if I can get an unlocked iPhone and save some money (as I'll be in the USA anyway), then it's a no brainer.

 

[gurase]

What are the advantages of these sim-free models over the carrier ones? I thought iPhones purchase from Apple Store are all unlocked anyway, so why specifically need the sim-free model? I'm using T-Mobile right now but I will get the Verizon model iPhone 8 from Apple Store as they avan be used on gsm as well as cdma networks overseas.

You have to be a Verizon customer to preorder the Verizon model, or you have to wait for it to be available in stores. Personally I'd rather just order online than check the store reservation system every morning, and since I'm not a customer of any of the 4 major carriers, I just wait for the sim free model. I don't care about a launch day phone. I'll get it eventually

 

[d123]

I live in the U.K and all phones sold by Apple direct are identical and fully unlocked and SIM Free, meaning I can switch SIM cards/carriers whenever I choose.

It's different in the USA I think due to having GSM & CSMA networks (I think), but for me, if I can get an unlocked iPhone and save some money (as I'll be in the USA anyway), then it's a no brainer.

The UK model is the same as as the AT&T/T-Mobile model.

For the current phones is was iPhone 7 Model A1778 and iPhone 7 Plus Model A1784.

https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Pretty sure it’ll be the same again this year.

 

[drzen]

What are the advantages of these sim-free models over the carrier ones? I thought iPhones purchase from Apple Store are all unlocked anyway, so why specifically need the sim-free model? I'm using T-Mobile right now but I will get the Verizon model iPhone 8 from Apple Store as they avan be used on gsm as well as cdma networks overseas.

I'm waiting for the SIM free model because I spend a good portion of the year outside the US (I'm on T-Mobile), and I switch to a local SIM card when not in the States.