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Why can't you buy a sim-free iPhone 7+?

A

ACG12

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 9, 2015
860
746
My dad would like to upgrade, but Apple never has any t-mobile versions in stock in store. I found one available for AT&T, but even when you choose pay full price, you still need to enter your information for AT&T as if you were using AT&T next or upgrade program.

Can I use my AT&T number/info and once activated, swap his sim card into the phone?
 
ACG12 said:
My dad would like to upgrade, but Apple never has any t-mobile versions in stock in store. I found one available for AT&T, but even when you choose pay full price, you still need to enter your information for AT&T as if you were using AT&T next or upgrade program.

Can I use my AT&T number/info and once activated, swap his sim card into the phone?
Click to expand...

The sim free model is typically available after a month or two.

The AT&T, T-mobile and Verizon iPhones will work fine for him. You just can't reserve online without entering your wireless carrier info.
 
I purchased a T-Mobile 7 plus online for full price last Friday. I didn't have to enter anything but my method of payment and select the store to pick it up. Put my at&t sim in the phone at the store it booted up and I walked away with a smile
 
ACG12 said:
My dad would like to upgrade, but Apple never has any t-mobile versions in stock in store. I found one available for AT&T, but even when you choose pay full price, you still need to enter your information for AT&T as if you were using AT&T next or upgrade program.

Can I use my AT&T number/info and once activated, swap his sim card into the phone?
Click to expand...

Ok, so people aren't really answering your question.

First off, for whatever reason, there is a huge shortage of T-Mobile 7 Pluses out in the wild. So that's one reason for your difficulty.

Having said that, there's no reason why you can't buy an AT&T model full price in store and then just use a different SIM. You do need to remember though that you won't be able to reserve phones online through Apple's website for AT&T phones unless you have an AT&T account. That shouldn't be an issue in store.
 
You can buy a time a T-Mobile or Verizon model in-store as a walk in w/o activating. Of course you have to find one first.
 
Just go to the store and buy it. At the store they don't ask for any account information. Since they're all unlocked, you can buy any model you would like (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint) and just pop you sim card in and go. I'm an AT&T customer and I purchased a Verizon model outright from the store and activated at home.
 
One thing to keep in mind is that all of the other carriers but Verizon lock their handsets and require certain periods of service in order to unlock them. Only purchase from Apple at MSRP are unlocked.
 
From my experience, it is normally a few months after a new iPhone release, BEFORE you can buy one SIM free.
They are trying to prevent gauging, and the likes...
 
From Apple FAQ

So choose Apple interest free monthly financing. Or pay up front. Either way it costs the same.

All models support T mobile. If it's meant as a surprise, only when you activate the phone later does your Dad's phone turn off.

68b711aa573e49b9d0b56cac2b5b9769.jpg
 
Last edited:
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I have T-Mobile pre paid and last week I reserved and purchased a Verizon 128GB 7 Plus at full price at my nearest Apple Store without any issues. I popped in my T-Mobile SIM and had no issues with activation.

I actually advise you to either purchase the Sprint or Verizon version as both have CDMA and GSM capabilities unlike the T-Mobile and AT&T variants which for the first time ever only have GSM capabilities which might hinder your resale value in the future.
 
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Is there a difference in the T-mobile version of the phone (purchased with no financing) online through apple and the sim free version that is yet to come out? if so, what is the difference? Thanks.
 
upnorth85 said:
Is there a difference in the T-mobile version of the phone (purchased with no financing) online through apple and the sim free version that is yet to come out? if so, what is the difference? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Whatever the model will be for SIM-free, which will likely be the one that is used for Verizon/Sprint as that also supports CDMA networks in addition to GSM ones (while the T-Mobile/AT&T version only supports GSM).
 
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@JaysonA Yea, but its not possible to enroll in Apple Upgrade Program without also having a Verizon/Sprint account. I'm wanting to do the Apple Upgrade Program but avoid getting the GSM-only phone (less resell value) and my current carrier is T-Mobile.
 
iPhone 6 sim free did not come out till january of the following year. Considering the 7+ shortages I doubt the sim free will be out before December.
 
ACG12 said:
My dad would like to upgrade, but Apple never has any t-mobile versions in stock in store. I found one available for AT&T, but even when you choose pay full price, you still need to enter your information for AT&T as if you were using AT&T next or upgrade program.

Can I use my AT&T number/info and once activated, swap his sim card into the phone?
Click to expand...
Is he paying full retail? If so, buy from BB but be sure to read this:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ocked-iphone-financed-by-the-carrier.1999350/
 
netnative said:
It is October 8th but Apple is not yet offering the iPhone 7 SIM-free.
Click to expand...

janeauburn said:
Wait for the SIM-free. You're assured of worldwide compatibility with that model.
Click to expand...

C DM said:
Whatever the model will be for SIM-free, which will likely be the one that is used for Verizon/Sprint as that also supports CDMA networks in addition to GSM ones (while the T-Mobile/AT&T version only supports GSM).
Click to expand...
Looks like it's out as of today, and looks like it's the same version that is used for Verizon/Sprint: SIM-Free iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Now Available From Apple Online Store
 
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