Sim free iPhone X at Launch?

[MACelmore]

Another thing just did a drill (iphone 8) using my friends info ahead of launch day and it says:
ContractiPhone 8 Plus 64GB Space Gray, Verizon Wireless)
No Commitment
One-time upgrade feeiPhone 8 Plus 64GB Space Gray, Verizon Wireless) $30.00
Line AccessiPhone 8 Plus 64GB Space Gray, Verizon Wireless)

Smartphone

$20.00/month

Fees and rate plan charges will appear on your next Verizon bill.



Will the $30 fee be charged if i put in my old sim? Last thing i want is pay that stupid fee....

Did you go through Verizon's website?

The only way to do it with your friend's account without affecting his account would be to pre-order on Apple's website or on the Apple Store app. You would go to iPhone X -> 5.8-inch display -> Buy a new iPhone on an existing wireless account -> Verizon -> select color -> select size -> pay full price up front. At that point, Apple will ask for account details when pre-orders go live.

 

[netpeer]

Did you go through Verizon's website?

The only way to do it with your friend's account without affecting his account would be to pre-order on Apple's website or on the Apple Store app. You would go to iPhone X -> 5.8-inch display -> Buy a new iPhone on an existing wireless account -> Verizon -> select color -> select size -> pay full price up front. At that point, Apple will ask for account details when pre-orders go live.

I did it on Apple web NOT VZ and it came up with upgrade fee of $30. Not sure if it is because he still makes payments on previous phone...Anyways one more thing it will ship to your friend address and NOT yours unless you pick up from location around your house.

 

[jhearty99]

See this is how Apple stymies scalpers. Since they do not allow purchases that are not linked to a carrier account for the first few weeks or so, the average person won’t try to scalp. In order to scalp you’d have to buy the phone on an active carrier account, then open the phone and remove the SIM card, then sell it. So I see no way that there can be many scalpers or any that aren’t open box.

Good point. Although I would never hand someone that much cash for a sealed box not knowing if something is actually in the box, so I would rather buy an open box iPhone X right after launch anyway.

 

[shaunp0327]

I’m confused, when you guys say sim free does that mean unlocked? The reason I asked is because I buy the phone thru apples installment plan because it states that the phone comes factory unlocked which is what I need. I have att but I travel to the Caribbean islands a lot so I like my phone unlocked to use in those countries. So my question is, is sim free the same as factory unlocked?

 

[jhearty99]

I’m confused, when you guys say sim free does that mean unlocked? The reason I asked is because I buy the phone thru apples installment plan because it states that the phone comes factory unlocked which is what I need. I have att but I travel to the Caribbean islands a lot so I like my phone unlocked to use in those countries. So my question is, is sim free the same as factory unlocked?

I believe the difference is, all SIM free phones are unlocked but not all Unlocked phones are SIM free.

Without Apple offering a SIM free option, you need a carrier account (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) in order to purchase one. You can still pay full price and the phone will be unlocked but the phone will be shipped with a SIM card for that carrier. Once you get the phone, you can swap out the SIM from there.

 

[shaunp0327]

I believe the difference is, all SIM free phones are unlocked but not all Unlocked phones are SIM free.

Without Apple offering a SIM free option, you need a carrier account (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) in order to purchase one. You can still pay full price and the phone will be unlocked but the phone will be shipped with a SIM card for that carrier. Once you get the phone, you can swap out the SIM from there.

Oh ok I understand now, makes sense in a way. Thanks

 

[citivolus]

See this is how Apple stymies scalpers. Since they do not allow purchases that are not linked to a carrier account for the first few weeks or so, the average person won’t try to scalp. In order to scalp you’d have to buy the phone on an active carrier account, then open the phone and remove the SIM card, then sell it. So I see no way that there can be many scalpers or any that aren’t open box.

Not really. The TMobile version sold at previous iPhone launches is unlocked and doesn't require account info to purchase.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Not really. The TMobile version sold at previous iPhone launches is unlocked and doesn't require account info to purchase.

TMO isn't the SIM-free model though. TMO is GSM, SIM-free is CDMA/GSM variant. Scalpers want the Verizon model, not TMO.

 

[jhearty99]

Not really. The TMobile version sold at previous iPhone launches is unlocked and doesn't require account info to purchase.

According to the Apple Store app, you will receive an Unlocked iPhone with TMobile SIM if paid in full.

 

[Acejam2k]

Did you go through Verizon's website?

The only way to do it with your friend's account without affecting his account would be to pre-order on Apple's website or on the Apple Store app. You would go to iPhone X -> 5.8-inch display -> Buy a new iPhone on an existing wireless account -> Verizon -> select color -> select size -> pay full price up front. At that point, Apple will ask for account details when pre-orders go live.

Are you sure this won't affect the Verizon account in question?

Let's say I have AT&T for service, but I'd like a Verizon-model iPhone X, so I can switch in the future if I'd like to. And let's say I pre-order using a family member's Verizon account details, and select "New phone" and pay in full. What's going to happen? You have to enter a phone number here, and I'm pretty certain Apple is going to ship you a Verizon iPhone with a preloaded SIM waiting to be activated.

 

[jhearty99]

Are you sure this won't affect the Verizon account in question?

Let's say I have AT&T for service, but I'd like a Verizon-model iPhone X, so I can switch in the future if I'd like to. And let's say I pre-order using a family member's Verizon account details, and select "New phone" and pay in full. What's going to happen? You have to enter a phone number here, and I'm pretty certain Apple is going to ship you a Verizon iPhone with a preloaded SIM waiting to be activated.

They will ship a phone with a Verizon SIM, just swap the SIMs before turning on the phone.

 

[netpeer]

They will ship a phone with a Verizon SIM, just swap the SIMs before turning on the phone.

Please read all posts regarding the issue. There are some concerns with doing that.
1. The phone will ship to your friend address not yours. You can choose to pick up at local store but if your friend lives in a state with sales tax and you don't, you might have to pay sales tax...
2. Do a drill like I did today (iphone 8) and make sure there will be no upgrade fees listed

 

[jhearty99]

Please read all posts regarding the issue. There are some concerns with doing that.
1. The phone will ship to your friend address not yours. You can choose to pick up at local store but if your friend lives in a state with sales tax and you don't, you might have to pay sales tax...
2. Do a drill like I did today (iphone 8) and make sure there will be no upgrade fees listed

I assume they will be using someones Verizon account that lives near by, if they live in a different state, then yes there may be other issues.

And I thought Verizon charges a $30 upgrade fee even if you pay in full?

 

[netpeer]

I assume they will be using someones Verizon account that lives near by, if they live in a different state, then yes there may be other issues.

And I thought Verizon charges a $30 upgrade fee even if you pay in full?

This is where it's confusing? Some say if you just swap the sims you won't pay. Some say you pay regardless...I did the same drill on my ATT today and no upgrade fees were listed, but then I don't have any phone installments on my account.

 

[jhearty99]

This is where it's confusing? Some say if you just swap the sims you won't pay. Some say you pay regardless...I did the same drill on my ATT today and no upgrade fees were listed, but then I don't have any phone installments on my account.

I went through checkout for an iPhone 8, paid in full, on my wifes Verizon account and it shows a $30 upgrade due at checkout. I will have to check to see if this is the same through the Apple Store app.

 

[netpeer]

I went through checkout for an iPhone 8, paid in full, on my wifes Verizon account and it shows a $30 upgrade due at checkout. I will have to check to see if this is the same through the Apple Store app.

Please do and let me know. Thanks!

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I was planning on pre-ordering tomorrow midnight, but I want the sim-free - Hopefully, after Thanksgiving or early December.

 

[rd93111]

Looks like the Sprint version may also come unlocked if Apple follows the iphone 8 logic.
Here a screen shot of the Spring iphone 8 order page.

 

[Buddhake]

Hi there. I have done this for the last few years and the only way to get the CDMA version without getting an upgrade fee is to go wait in line (or reserve via the IUP links) on launch day (or any day) and buy the phone outright in person. If no SIM-FREE version is offered on the Apple Store site/app, the CDMA version will not be gettable w/o tying it to a Verizon or Sprint account and paying the upgrade fee or line fee. You can, of course, get the T-Mobile version on the Apple Store site without any account info or fees beyond the cost of the phone, but it GSM only and will not work on CDMA networks.

The Apple Store folks will definitely sell you the Verizon version for full price and not even ask you for a phone number or account number if they have it in stock at the store. It's easy once you get there, but the waiting is the hardest part, and it's what I will have to do too. Good luck!

N.B. The iPhone 8/8+ was released with a SIM FREE option on Day 1 so none of the above was necessary. Not so for constrained versions in the US. We are still owned by the Carriers here, it seems.

 

[iluvbeer99]

So for ATT users they can order the T-Mobile version and not enter any carrier info, correct?

Seems that would be best route to save time and not need for apple site to verify carrier info.

 

[Buddhake]

So for ATT users they can order the T-Mobile version and not enter any carrier info, correct?

Seems that would be best route to save time and not need for apple site to verify carrier info.

Exactly!

 

[iluvbeer99]

Exactly!

Thanks for clarifying. Definitely the route i'll be taking then.

 

[netpeer]

Hi there. I have done this for the last few years and the only way to get the CDMA version without getting an upgrade fee is to go wait in line (or reserve via the IUP links) on launch day (or any day) and buy the phone outright in person. If no SIM-FREE version is offered on the Apple Store site/app, the CDMA version will not be gettable w/o tying it to a Verizon or Sprint account and paying the upgrade fee or line fee. You can, of course, get the T-Mobile version on the Apple Store site without any account info or fees beyond the cost of the phone, but it GSM only and will not work on CDMA networks.

The Apple Store folks will definitely sell you the Verizon version for full price and not even ask you for a phone number or account number if they have it in stock at the store. It's easy once you get there, but the waiting is the hardest part, and it's what I will have to do too. Good luck!

N.B. The iPhone 8/8+ was released with a SIM FREE option on Day 1 so none of the above was necessary. Not so for constrained versions in the US. We are still owned by the Carriers here, it seems.

I tend to disagree with you on this but you could be right.
My question is how they will be charging the VZ account holder an upgrade fee since the phone will be activated with another sim and NOT the one the phone comes with? Basically the phone will never be activated on the VZ account but on say AT&T account....

 

[mattopotamus]

Yea I saw that too. I called Apple and a rep said unofficially they thought there was a chance that a sim-free option could appear before the pre-orders start. In the worst case, you can open a Verizon account with a pre-pay line or something, avoid having to do a credit check and setting up a monthly service. At least that's what I'm going to try.

Post paid account only.

What protoxx said. Prepaid account info is not actually considered a carrier account when required to enter carrier info. I had verizon prepaid last year and it was not recognized during checkout.

people are completely confusing SIM free and Unlocked. Unlocked means that you are not tied to a specific carrier. If you pay for a phone in full, it is unlocked.

SIM Free is essentially the verizon/sprint version of the iphone. It contains both GSM/CDMA radios.

The only phone you can order online, without carrier info, is the T-mobile verison. That is GSM only. If you pay for the phone in full it will be unlocked, but that does not make it SIM free. If you want a "SIM Fee" phone on launch you are going to have to lineup at the store and buy the verizon/sprint model and pay in full. Apple will let you do this in store.

If you are on a prepaid carrier that uses CDMA, you are out of luck unless you camp out at the apple store.

 

[BeatCrazy]

So are we in agreement that there is no way tonight to buy the X at full price, and get an unlocked CDMA version, unless you already have Sprint/VZW?