Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Buying Outright - Carrier VS Sim Free (US)

Nikos

Nikos

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 20, 2008
1,652
323
New York
According to this page, all XS/XS Max US models are the same:

https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/#iphone-xs

Considering that, it seems like it shouldn't matter which version is chosen at preorder when purchasing outright. Choosing a carrier may ask for an account phone number, but that's the only thing I can think of.

Is there any real reason to go for SIM free at this point if we're buying outright?
 
I'm curious as well. The only thing I can think of is some carriers may charge an activation/updrade fee if you get the carrier model. A SIM-free model may be a way to avoid the fee.
 
Last edited:
Any illumination on this is helpful. I am with AT&T but leaning to get SIM Free? Why? Not sure. I guess I have the option to move to another carrier or it's has more world wide banks? Or do they all have the same bands?
 
I'm wondering the same thing. I'm on At&T, but plan on purchasing the Xs Max outright. If the models are exactly the same wouldn't the "no sim" option be better? Not having to login to the carrier would take far less time on preorder night.
 
True, it may skip a step at checkout but a lot more people will probably be going for the SIM Free version. Guess we'll find out soon.
 
Nikos said:
According to this page, all XS/XS Max US models are the same:

https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/#iphone-xs

Considering that, it seems like it shouldn't matter which version is chosen at preorder when purchasing outright. Choosing a carrier may ask for an account phone number, but that's the only thing I can think of.

Is there any real reason to go for SIM free at this point if we're buying outright?
Click to expand...
Sim-Free is CDMA and GSM compatible. The other models are specific to their network, with an exception of Verizon.
 
Nikos said:
True, it may skip a step at checkout but a lot more people will probably be going for the SIM Free version. Guess we'll find out soon.
Click to expand...
That is the only thing I’m worried about. The countdown to make the choice begins!
 
I'm curious about this as well. Back when I got my 7, the SIM-free model wasn't out yet, so I just went to an Apple Store and bought the Verizon model at full price unlocked and popped my T-Mobile SIM in it. I'm guessing there's no real way to do this online, because if you're buying a carrier model, they'll make you put in some account info?

I also wonder whether they have set amounts of stock reserved both online and in-store for each of the carriers plus SIM-free, or whether it's all just one big stock, and they customize it for whichever carrier (or lack thereof) you select at checkout. (i.e. Is it possible for them to run out of SIM-free models but still have a carrier's model in stock.)
 
Wondering about the same thing. I want to buy the Sim free version but wondering what the difference might be?

Anyone got any more insight into this?
 
penajmz said:
Wondering about the same thing. I want to buy the Sim free version but wondering what the difference might be?

Anyone got any more insight into this?
Click to expand...
From what I’ve seen they’re the exact same model, just no sim and carrier lock. In theory checkout would be much faster, but I would assume the stock would be lower?
 
  • Like
Reactions: penajmz
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back