To those who is looking to make installment payment on an unlocked iPhone using Apple Card. Unfortunately, it is true that even though the iPhone is unlocked, when you select finance with ACMI, you will need to select to a carrier as they discontinue Apple Card financing for iPhones bought without a carrier connection as of last month.
On Friday, if you go this route and during pre ordering, it will ask you to connect your carrier to the iPhone, for example, Tmobile will ask for your PIN, phone number or account number. That will activate it so that it is ready for you when you get your new phone.
The good news is that for those who would like to finance an iphone like me, we would get a 4th option to pay using Apple Pay Later. It will then allow to split purchase into 4 or 6 payments with no interests. I was told this will be shown on Friday on the online store when pre order starts. Right now, it is hidden. To get this option, I was told you need to select buy as payment option to pay full price. I hope it make sense.