Apple starts sales of SIM-free iPhone 6s, 6s Plus handsets
Almost one month after the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch in September, Apple on Thursday started sales of factory unlocked SIM-free handsets that come unbound from carrier contract commitments.
As explained on Apple's iPhone 6s purchase page, SIM-free iPhones do not include the usual carrier-specific nano-SIM card, nor are they locked in to any one network, meaning customers are free to obtain their own card from a carrier of their choosing. SIM-free iPhone 6s models are designated A1633, while iPhone 6s Plus versions are labeled A1634.
"If you don't want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the SIM-free iPhone is the best choice," Apple says.
The company adds that SIM-free iPhone 6s units will work on a multitude of networks including those run by AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint in the U.S. International support is also offered thanks to iPhone's multi-band LTE radio; a full list of supported networks categorized by country can be found on Apple's website. Upon receipt, customers can activate SIM-free iPhones on any compatible GSM or CDMA network.
As noted in Apple's fine print, SIM-free iPhones are not eligible for carrier incentives or payment plans, so customers have to pay the entire handset cost upfront.
The new U.S. edition comes as iPhone 6s and 6s Plus rolls out to 40 more countries, and ahead of this weekend's launch in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The expansion continues next week with debuts in India, Malaysia and Turkey on Oct. 16. Apple is looking to get iPhone 6s into 130 countries by the end of 2015.
As explained on Apple's iPhone 6s purchase page, SIM-free iPhones do not include the usual carrier-specific nano-SIM card, nor are they locked in to any one network, meaning customers are free to obtain their own card from a carrier of their choosing. SIM-free iPhone 6s models are designated A1633, while iPhone 6s Plus versions are labeled A1634.
"If you don't want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the SIM-free iPhone is the best choice," Apple says.
The company adds that SIM-free iPhone 6s units will work on a multitude of networks including those run by AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint in the U.S. International support is also offered thanks to iPhone's multi-band LTE radio; a full list of supported networks categorized by country can be found on Apple's website. Upon receipt, customers can activate SIM-free iPhones on any compatible GSM or CDMA network.
As noted in Apple's fine print, SIM-free iPhones are not eligible for carrier incentives or payment plans, so customers have to pay the entire handset cost upfront.
The new U.S. edition comes as iPhone 6s and 6s Plus rolls out to 40 more countries, and ahead of this weekend's launch in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The expansion continues next week with debuts in India, Malaysia and Turkey on Oct. 16. Apple is looking to get iPhone 6s into 130 countries by the end of 2015.
Comments
Welcome to the 21st century.
On the left we have fire, on the right - the wheel.
And just up ahead you should be able to catch a glimpse of a sim-free handset...
It's crazy to think that some of Apple's biggest achievements in the US mobile phone space have been things that shouldn't have existed to begin with if the carriers weren't demanding so much control.
I was told my phone was unlocked and although it came with an AT&T sim, it could be switched to any other carrier at any time, AND it could be used worldwide outside of the US.
[URL]http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/[/URL]
Here's the main difference (at least the way it was with the iPhone 6 and all before):
The UNLOCKED iPhone was paid for full price, and could be used on other carriers, but ONLY if that carrier recognized the imei # in their system. Verizon would NOT allow unlocked iPhones on their network unless it was an actual Verizon iPhone (the tmobile version wasn't recognized). There was a verizon work-around for this, but it wasn't ready to go out of the box. Tmobile and ATT didn't care if you used it on their network, as long as it was unlocked.
The SIM-FREE version is paid for full price, and has NO ties to any carrier. It can be used on ANY network with no problem. Verizon automatically included the imei # in their database (called "whitelisting"). Since everyone mostly just pops their sim card into a new phone anyways, the fact that it doesn't come w/ a sim card really doesn't matter.
If given the choice, the Sim-Free version is the better one to get. If you never plan on going to Verizon, or a really cheap carrier, then the unlocked version will probably due you just fine.
Doesn't it come with an "Apple SIM" (unlocked / universal SIM)?
Not according to Apple's website. It states you can obtain a SIM from your preferred carrier. Which is why they are advertising it as SIM free rather than Apple SIM or Universal SIM.
It is correct that you can't buy this phone on Apple's new Upgrade Payment Plan (I was hoping to get that)%u2014that purchase plan requires a carrier at time of sale. I just paid the full cost and slipped in my existing SIM from a prepaid carrier.
I did have to choose a carrier in the store so I chose att as they had the model phone I wanted.
They were selling SIM Free 6S's from day one . At least in Japan.
Same in Germany. I received my unlocked 6s on September 25th.
One difference with the non-carrier versions is that certain carrier features may not be available if you didn't buy the phone through them. For example, my "sim-free" phone is not supported for T-Mobile's wi-fi calling.
One difference with the non-carrier versions is that certain carrier features may not be available if you didn't buy the phone through them. For example, my "sim-free" phone is not supported for T-Mobile's wi-fi calling.
That sucks.... just turned on my wifi calling on my iPhone 6 with ATT. Anybody know whether this problem will exist for ATT?