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Other Pre-order q: "Connect to any carrier later" vs "ATT" - What's the HW difference?
- Thread starter MareLuce
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Also hoping to know the same. I don’t believe there’s a hardware difference. But I’d like to know if activation is required if we choose AT&T. Could be a workaround for folks who want to still buy unlocked with Apple Card monthly payments.
When we get the phone, will there be a welcome screen or anything that prevents us from using the phone without AT&T activation?
When we get the phone, will there be a welcome screen or anything that prevents us from using the phone without AT&T activation?
No hardware difference, if you're buying outright then no carrier lock either. But if you choose your carrier it will activate with your phone number when powering on. If you choose to connect later then you are on your own for moving your eSIM over.
How do they know the phone number? I tried adding an Apple.com iPhone 14 AT&T to cart and it doesn’t ask for it.
When powering on for the first time, does it behave like an unlocked phone? I’m thinking of taking it to another carrier.
As long as you buy directly from Apple at full price or using one of the non-carrier financing options, the iPhone is unlocked.
I tried going through the steps for pre-pre-order on the 15 Pro Max. It didn’t ask me for a phone number but during one of the steps, it showed a $35 AT&T activation charge that will be added to the phone bill.
No difference.
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Non-carrier financing options are no longer available. I was able to select T-Mobile but I'm fully expecting it to ask for T-Mobile number and PIN on Friday, the same way it does with iPhone 14 if you try to do that now. Same thing happens for Verizon. AT&T isn't asking for credentials for a 14. Not sure what will happen on Friday.
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Apple today updated its U.S. Apple Card Monthly Installment plan to require those who use the feature to purchase an iPhone that is linked to...
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Non-carrier financing options are no longer available. I was able to select T-Mobile but I'm fully expecting it to ask for T-Mobile number and PIN on Friday, the same way it does with iPhone 14 if you try to do that now. Same thing happens for Verizon. AT&T isn't asking for credentials for a 14. Not sure what will happen on Friday.
Apple Card Monthly Financing No Longer Available for SIM-Free iPhones
Apple today updated its U.S. Apple Card Monthly Installment plan to require those who use the feature to purchase an iPhone that is linked to...
What I meant by non-carrier financing is it’s not directly financed by AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile.
Apple iPhone Upgrade Program and Apple Card Monthly Installments are financed by third party banks so these still fall under non-carrier financing despite requiring carrier activation. When you use these two options, the iPhone ships unlocked.
If you use carrier financing, I believe AT&T and T-Mobile are both locked until the loan is paid off while Verizon unlocks after 60 days from activation.
I believe the iPhone is unlocked if you pay in full whether you select your carrier or no carrier. This is what I understand. I do know if you finance with a carrier then it is not unlocked. I’m not sure about third party financing.
Thanks.
I know during the process I choose to trade in my current phone, so that's how it knows my number.
I'm assuming that if I choose Connect to any carrier later that will still allow me to transfer my eSim during the setup/migration process?
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I believe that is how it worked the last time I upgraded.
I definitely bought an unlocked phone last time, and don't remember it being a big deal.
I'm just wondering what the hw difference is.