iPhone X XR not available unlocked but XS is. What gives?

[MBPro17]

So I went to the Apple pre-order and it seems the XR is not available unlocked but the XS is.

Anyone else talking about this? Any idea how long until R is available unlocked?

Thanks

 

[blindside217]

Apple usually doesn’t offer new iPhones as SIM-Free at launch if they are expecting demand to be much greater than supply. It seems that they are not worried about supply with the XS and XS Max this year but they are concerned with supply for the XR. It may have to do with the same reasons that the launch is being delayed or just that it is going to have big demand with all of the features it is packing in at a reasonable price. It could be weeks or a month or two before they catch up to the demand and offer it SIM-Free. After the initial pre-order period and launch, the shipping will likely be up to several weeks out. Once it steadies back down to shipping in just a few days, that is when they will likely offer it SIM-Free. We will have to wait and see!

 

[a02]

The R is not available at all until October. Only the Xs and Xs Max can be purchased ATM. R preorders begin on 10/19.

 

[PeteS1963]

It’s supposed to be available unlocked in the UK Apple Store. Which country are you in? Is it country specific?

 

[MBPro17]

I live in Eastern Europe, but they are much cheaper in the US.

 

[EugW]

Unlocked XR will be available st launch in Canada. However Apple’s price in Canada is higher than it should be compared to the current currency exchange rate.

 

[Shadowbech]

I can assure you that Sim-Free iPhone XR will be out 1 month after it's initial release. Apple did the same thing last year, Sim-free model for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus was available at pre-order. As for the iPhone X, Sim-free model was not available right at pre-order and was made available on 12/3/17 (Initial launch was 11/3/17).

 

[PeteS1963]

I can assure you that Sim-Free iPhone XR will be out 1 month after it's initial release. Apple did the same thing last year, Sim-free model for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus was available at pre-order. As for the iPhone X, Sim-free model was not available right at pre-order and was made available on 12/3/17 (Initial launch was 11/3/17).

In the US that’s probably true. But in the U.K. (maybe other countries too) it’s SIM- free at initial release.

 

[Shadowbech]

In the US that’s probably true. But in the U.K. (maybe other countries too) it’s SIM- free at initial release.

Correct. But since OP mentioned about it. I assumed that OP wanted to buy it in U.S. So I responded on that perspective. But yes other countries will have them available on day 1.