Apple starts sales of SIM-free iPhone X models in U.S. as in-store stock improves
One month after iPhone X hit store shelves in November, Apple on Monday began sales of factory unlocked, SIM-free models to U.S. customers, offering customers the ability to buy the handset now and activate on any carrier later.
As noted by Apple, SIM-free iPhone X variants ship direct from Apple's chain without an installed SIM card and is by default unlocked. The option grants buyers additional flexibility when it comes to selecting a cellular carrier, or transporting the device from one carrier to another.
Apple's SIM-free models support both GSM and CDMA networks, making the device a prime candidate for frequent travelers or customers who constantly jump networks. Being an unlocked model allows for later activation on any telco that supports iPhone.
Prior to today's debut of SIM-free handsets, Apple was restricting iPhone X buyers to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint. At launch, the company also instituted carrier activation limitations for all carriers save for T-Mobile, meaning buyers were forced to tie the phone to an existing number before purchase.
Base prices for the SIM-free iPhone models are identical to those for units tied to U.S. carriers, with 64GB versions going for $999 and 256GB variants priced at $1,149.
Availability is likewise the same as SIM-toting models, with delivery estimates currently pegged at Dec. 12. SIM-free models are showing up as available for pickup in certain states, including New York and California.
Apple on Monday also updated iPhone X availability on its online store to reflect in-store stock at various locations across the U.S. Just last week, Apple improved iPhone X delivery times to within one week for the first time since the device went up for preorder in October. At its peak, iPhone X ship-by estimates were sitting at 5 to 6 weeks.
As noted by Apple, SIM-free iPhone X variants ship direct from Apple's chain without an installed SIM card and is by default unlocked. The option grants buyers additional flexibility when it comes to selecting a cellular carrier, or transporting the device from one carrier to another.
Apple's SIM-free models support both GSM and CDMA networks, making the device a prime candidate for frequent travelers or customers who constantly jump networks. Being an unlocked model allows for later activation on any telco that supports iPhone.
Prior to today's debut of SIM-free handsets, Apple was restricting iPhone X buyers to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint. At launch, the company also instituted carrier activation limitations for all carriers save for T-Mobile, meaning buyers were forced to tie the phone to an existing number before purchase.
Base prices for the SIM-free iPhone models are identical to those for units tied to U.S. carriers, with 64GB versions going for $999 and 256GB variants priced at $1,149.
Availability is likewise the same as SIM-toting models, with delivery estimates currently pegged at Dec. 12. SIM-free models are showing up as available for pickup in certain states, including New York and California.
Apple on Monday also updated iPhone X availability on its online store to reflect in-store stock at various locations across the U.S. Just last week, Apple improved iPhone X delivery times to within one week for the first time since the device went up for preorder in October. At its peak, iPhone X ship-by estimates were sitting at 5 to 6 weeks.
Comments
I really wanted to purchase this at launch but it wasn't available.
The term "unlocked" has become very confusing to most people. When they bought their, say, AT&T phone it was "locked" to that carrier. At the end of the two years, AT&T could unlock their phone. But, it STILL would not work on a Verizon network.
My experience is that most non-geek people have no idea that they are restricted in which carriers they can use depending on whether they have a phone with a CDMA or a GSM modem. So, they pop into their local AT&T store and buy a GSM only phone thinking that all iPhones are the same regardless of where they are purchased. Actually, few people even know that their phone has a modem. The older ones think that is a little black box that made funny StarTrek type noises as it connected to AOL and the younger ones say: "What's a 'mod-em'?"
BTW, I always thought "modem" as in "modulator-demodulator" referred to the process of switching between digital signal and analog audio for transmission over phone lines. In that sense, do modern all-digital phones actually have modems?
The main reason for delaying the release of the sim free version is to stop people from buying the phones just to resell overseas.
I don’t know which carriers actually lock their phones anymore. Verizon does not lock their phones.
As we leave the era of getting a "free" phone locked to a carrier every two years, it will either get fixed -- where the phones aren't tied to carriers or bands, or it will just get worse...