iPhone 16 Pro Max Unlocked = pay in full

[LucasLand]

I just filled out the pre order info. I wanted to finance it, but I thought it was odd it made me pick a carrier. I prefer to Have unlocked. I contacted support and was surprised to find out to get unlocked you have to pay in full. You can’t finance unlocked phones. Bummer.

 

[seezar]

I buy them directly through Apple and finance them through T-Mobile and they always come unlocked.

But you must be talking about using monthly payments with Apple Card I’m guessing.

 

[LucasLand]

I buy them directly through Apple and finance them through T-Mobile and they always come unlocked.

But you must be talking about using monthly payments with Apple Card I’m guessing.

apple support said “as of August 2023, financing with Apple Card requires activation with a major carrier.

 

[seezar]

apple support said “as of August 2023, financing with Apple Card requires activation with a major carrier.

Yeah, I don’t understand why they changed that policy with the Apple Card last year, pretty dumb.

 

[LucasLand]

Yeah, I don’t understand why they changed that policy with the Apple Card last year, pretty dumb.

I wanted to finance a $1199 iPhone, but now I’ll have to pay the full amount when ordering. I may not buy now. Only thing that helps me, is I can get $460 for my trade in

 

[trnjackie23]

It doesn’t matter if you finance or not

 

[CMoore515]

Select T-Mobile in the carrier list. They don't require account authorization so can be selected.

The iPhone will still come unlocked and can be used with any carrier as you can bypass the T-Mobile set up screen.

Alternatively, you can pay in full and then chat GS and they'll convert the purchase to installments. I did this last year.

 

[stt101tx]

"then chat GS and they'll convert the purchase to installments." Yes, but are they at 0% APR?

 

[MisterSavage]

I just filled out the pre order info. I wanted to finance it, but I thought it was odd it made me pick a carrier. I prefer to Have unlocked. I contacted support and was surprised to find out to get unlocked you have to pay in full. You can’t finance unlocked phones. Bummer.

The iPhone Upgrade Program is an option. You're not locked to a carrier.

You’re buying directly from Apple. Which means no more financing your iPhone through your carrier or committing to a multiyear service contract. We connect your new iPhone to your carrier for you. So you won’t have to make any changes to your rate plan. And if you ever decide to switch carriers after you activate your iPhone with AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you can easily do that, too.

 

[black_knight]

I buy them directly through Apple and finance them through T-Mobile and they always come unlocked.

But you must be talking about using monthly payments with Apple Card I’m guessing.

Yeah, that’s not what op is talking about.

 

[black_knight]

I wanted to finance a $1199 iPhone, but now I’ll have to pay the full amount when ordering. I may not buy now. Only thing that helps me, is I can get $460 for my trade in

I was prepared to order as well. Financed my 14 Pro through Apple Card last time. This time, I set my alarm to see that’s not an option anymore and wasted precious sleep only to be let down. Shame on you Apple. Don’t see why financing a phone through Apple, and then using it on the carrier of your choice, is not an option anymore.

 

[Biro]

I was prepared to order as well. Financed my 14 Pro through Apple Card last time. This time, I set my alarm to see that’s not an option anymore and wasted precious sleep only to be let down. Shame on you Apple. Don’t see why financing a phone through Apple, and then using it on the carrier of your choice, is not an option anymore.

Please scroll up and read post #6 in this string.

 

[black_knight]

Please scroll up and read post #6 in this string.

What about it?

 

[black_knight]

Please scroll up and read post #6 in this string.

 

[StoneJack]

I just filled out the pre order info. I wanted to finance it, but I thought it was odd it made me pick a carrier. I prefer to Have unlocked. I contacted support and was surprised to find out to get unlocked you have to pay in full. You can’t finance unlocked phones. Bummer.

its been always like that. Unlocked phones cost full price, of course, no carrier subsidy.

 

[black_knight]

Please scroll up and read post #6 in this string.

So, it appears that the T-Mobile variant has no activation charge and is unlocked. I did see that a purchase utilizing ACMI is unlocked and can be switched to whatever carrier you choose. This was in the fine print underneath the area I highlighted.

Not sure why just selecting “no carrier at this time” is really any different. However, thanks for the indirect enlightenment! I knew if I posted my sob story here, there could be a possible solution. Thank you

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I always buy unlocked iPhones form Apple so I can walk with the phone and go to any carrier I want at any time.

 

[DarthBradicus]

You do have to pick a carrier, but financing with Apple Card will absolutely get you an unlocked phone. It says right in the app where you select a carrier that there are only two scenarios where the phone will be locked when buying from Apple, both involve carrier financing (AT&T and Boost).

 

[Biro]

Not sure why just selecting “no carrier at this time” is really any different. However, thanks for the indirect enlightenment! I knew if I posted my sob story here, there could be a possible solution. Thank you

Yeah, I don’t know why selecting no carrier is any different, either. But you’ll pay an extra $30 or so. I’m sure it’s some back door promotional deal with the carriers.

 

[CooKieMoNs7eR]

Just select t-mobile, the phone is unlocked, when you receive it just skip the carrier setup and activate it with your own carrier.

 

[D_Apple]

I mocked up my purchase just now to get this screenshot.

I chose Apple Card financing and AT&T as the carrier.

 

[black_knight]

I mocked up my purchase just now to get this screenshot.

I chose Apple Card financing and AT&T as the carrier.

I think ATT charges an activation fee. At least that is what it says when you checkout. However, if it is unlocked and you can connect it to your carrier, it’s a moot point. T-Mobile doesn’t show an activation charge when you select them as a carrier.

 

[D_Apple]

I think ATT charges an activation fee. At least that is what it says when you checkout. However, if it is unlocked and you can connect it to your carrier, it’s a moot point. T-Mobile doesn’t show an activation charge when you select them as a carrier.

My post was specifically addressing the point that “Unlocked = Apple Card Financing” as well, even with AT&T chosen as the carrier.

As far as the activation fee, yea, AT&T has charged that since the beginning of time.

 

[Bstephens]

An Apple employee at the store told us that too many folks where getting their phones financed and then not paying so they had to make you pick a carrier so Apple gets their money upfront from the carriers and the carriers would cut you off if you don't pay.

 

[Fred Zed]

An Apple employee at the store told us that too many folks where getting their phones financed and then not paying so they had to make you pick a carrier so Apple gets their money upfront from the carriers and the carriers would cut you off if you don't pay.

Makes sense. So effectively the carrier now can black list the unlocked device if payments aren’t made . I guess making the second hand market even more dangerous. How would a used iPhone buyer now know that the phone is not under any payment obligations these days ?