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Other Will the 2018 iPhones ship SIM free on launch day in the US?

BeeGood

BeeGood

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Sep 15, 2013
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Lot 23E. Somewhere in Georgia.
I haven’t really been keeping up with the rumor mill so this is probably old news by now. I just read that Apple is not going to use Qualcomm and will go exclusively with Intel for the modems in this year’s iPhones.

Since the SIM free models were all Qualcomm, does this make it more likely that we get a SIM free version on launch day, since they’ll all have Intel modems?
 
Availability of SIM free models is more related to Apple’s negotiations with US carriers.

Regardless, just buy the Verizon version. Verizon versions is unlocked out of the box.
 
Not sure if anyone knows that at this time. They usually shipped a month after initial release--AFAIK
 
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chabig said:
No. All GSM phones, Intel or Qualcomm, need SIMs to function.
Click to expand...
“SIM free” refers to unlocked version. All carrier iPhones in the US comes with the respective carrier’s SIM already inside the iPhone out of the box, so the unlocked version is called “SIM free,” in a sense that the phone doesn’t have a carrier SIM pre-installed inside it from factory.
 
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33FF8DF3-AE4A-41AE-8883-4D809E5DDBFC.jpeg
chabig said:
I read the question as, "does this make it more likely that we get a SIM free version on launch day"? I answered that.
Click to expand...

This is what we’re discussing:
 
pika2000 said:
Regardless, just buy the Verizon version. Verizon versions is unlocked out of the box.
Click to expand...

That would work for me, as I’m on a MVNO that uses Verizon towers, but don’t you have to have a Verizon line to do that?
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chabig said:
Right. I answered no. I don't think Apple will ship the SIM free version on launch day. I would expect it to become available a few months after release, as always.
Click to expand...

That wasn’t your original reply, but I appreciate the response.
 
BeeGood said:
That would work for me, as I’m on a MVNO that uses Verizon towers, but don’t you have to have a Verizon line to do that?
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If you buy it online, yes, I think you have to input an existing number or a new line setup. I believe you can buy it from a physical Apple store and just state you want a Verizon version and pay full price for it. I did that with my iPhone 5 and I never have a line with Verizon.
 
pika2000 said:
If you buy it online, yes, I think you have to input an existing number or a new line setup. I believe you can buy it from a physical Apple store and just state you want a Verizon version and pay full price for it. I did that with my iPhone 5 and I never have a line with Verizon.
Click to expand...

Ah...didn’t know they’d let you do that. So even if I can’t get one shipped/reserved on launch day, I should be able to pick one up shortly after with some diligence. Thanks!
 
BeeGood said:
I haven’t really been keeping up with the rumor mill so this is probably old news by now. I just read that Apple is not going to use Qualcomm and will go exclusively with Intel for the modems in this year’s iPhones.

Since the SIM free models were all Qualcomm, does this make it more likely that we get a SIM free version on launch day, since they’ll all have Intel modems?
Click to expand...
The only reason the Qualcomm modem reason was the SIM free version is it supports more LTE bands worldwide. So it's really unrelated.

There are rumors of both dual Simm support as well as e-sim which means no physical card. I'd love an e-sim.
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pika2000 said:
Availability of SIM free models is more related to Apple’s negotiations with US carriers.

Regardless, just buy the Verizon version. Verizon versions is unlocked out of the box.
Click to expand...
Verizon only does that because of an agreement with the FCC which I think is lapsing soon. I'd except that rule to not last much longer
 
gadgetfreaky said:
The only reason the Qualcomm modem reason was the SIM free version is it supports more LTE bands worldwide. So it's really unrelated.
Click to expand...

Right, but presumably, the Intel chips will now support all these bands. Otherwise, Apple wouldn’t have been able to part ways with Qualcomm.

My thinking was that since all the phones will essentially be the same (as far as the wireless chipset is concerned) what would be the reason to withhold a sim-free version (unless Apple is making some sort of concessions to carriers)
 
pika2000 said:
Availability of SIM free models is more related to Apple’s negotiations with US carriers.

Regardless, just buy the Verizon version. Verizon versions is unlocked out of the box.
Click to expand...

You’re slightly misinformed. There is a ‘Wait’ period.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/02/12/verizon-no-more-unlocked-iphones/amp/

“Going forward, the smartphones that Verizon sells will be locked to the Verizon network. Smartphones locked this way will not be compatible with other carriers until unlocked by Verizon, which is similar to how other cellular carriers in the United States operate. “

https://www.theverge.com/platform/a...ones-locked-network-date-spring-change-policy


“Sometime this spring, Verizon will be instituting a wait period, where new phones will be locked to Verizon for an unspecified amount of time before customers will be able to unlock them.”
 
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chabig said:
I read the question as, "does this make it more likely that we get a SIM free version on launch day"? I answered that.
Click to expand...

Apple has not sold a phone that doesn't need a SIM since early iPhone 4 days on Verizon (pre LTE).

The "SIM free" model is the model that Apple sells unlocked not tied to a carrier or contract. You just put your existing SIM into it.

I have my doubts that SIM Free will be available from day 1 (except possibly the 6.1" model, and there are rumors about screen supply issues). The carriers still want an incentive to go postpaid and commit to payments rather than allow the SIM free model which is nice for people who can afford it outright, but still want to save money on prepaid.

I was surprised that the 8/8+ was available SIM free from day 1 last year, but the phone in demand was the X. The one I feel least likely to be available SIM free is the "Plus" model.
 
Relentless Power said:
You’re slightly misinformed. There is a ‘Wait’ period.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/02/12/verizon-no-more-unlocked-iphones/amp/

“Going forward, the smartphones that Verizon sells will be locked to the Verizon network. Smartphones locked this way will not be compatible with other carriers until unlocked by Verizon, which is similar to how other cellular carriers in the United States operate. “

https://www.theverge.com/platform/a...ones-locked-network-date-spring-change-policy


“Sometime this spring, Verizon will be instituting a wait period, where new phones will be locked to Verizon for an unspecified amount of time before customers will be able to unlock them.”
Click to expand...
Oh wow, when did this happen? I thought the regulation stated that all 4G handsets sold by Verizon have to be unlocked. Wow, this is a huge bummer. Is there a change in the regulation? This is a huge step backward.
 
pika2000 said:
Oh wow, when did this happen? I thought the regulation stated that all 4G handsets sold by Verizon have to be unlocked. Wow, this is a huge bummer. Is there a change in the regulation? This is a huge step backward.
Click to expand...
I read when this was announced that Verizon is doing this to prevent people from buying their phones and then taking them to other carriers very soon after purchase. Can't blame them.
 
I think it has been close to two months after release that the SIM free versions have been made available.
 
JackieInCo said:
I read when this was announced that Verizon is doing this to prevent people from buying their phones and then taking them to other carriers very soon after purchase. Can't blame them.
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Can’t blame them? People who got subsidized phones are under contract anyway, nothing to do with the phone. There is really no reason for the phone to be locked, unless Verizon has low confidence that their service can retain customers.

Oh well, I guess USA is going back to the olden days of locked phones.
 
pika2000 said:
Can’t blame them? People who got subsidized phones are under contract anyway, nothing to do with the phone. There is really no reason for the phone to be locked, unless Verizon has low confidence that their service can retain customers.

Oh well, I guess USA is going back to the olden days of locked phones.
Click to expand...

Carriers have that right. I buy all my phones unlocked ever since the 6S+. Same with my Android phones. I'm not willing to play those carrier games.
 
Whether these sim-free will have Intel or Qualcomm we wouldn’t know for sure until it actually released and tear down is made. But rumors point out it may be exclusive Intel modems. Only a few times, well one time I know for sure which sim-free launch on the same day as released day was the iPhone 8 since Apple did anticipated more people would go for the iPhone X than the 8 during that month. Most sim-free are released after exactly a month though since Apple prioritize carriers first. I would wait till it’s confirmed if it’s exclusive Intel modem but if it is I would either go with Apple Upgrade Program or get the sim-free model later to get an unlocked version or may reconsider if the carrier has an amazing deal ;)
 
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