AppleInsider Staff
The Apple Store has begun selling unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models at unsubsidized prices, offering customers the ability to purchase without a T-Mobile SIM card.
In the U.S., customers have been able to buy an unlocked iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus from day one, but it would ship with a T-Mobile SIM card inserted. Starting Tuesday, the Apple Store began offering a SIM-free option starting at the same $649 price for the entry-level 16-gigabyte iPhone 6.
The new unlocked iPhone 6 model is identified as A1586, while the iPhone 6 Plus is model A1524. They are compatible with carriers around the world, and for U.S. customers can be activated on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon or Sprint.
The new phones are actually different than the T-Mobile unlocked handsets, which are identified as model A1549 for the iPhone 6 and A1522 for the iPhone 6 Plus.
The new SIM-free iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus option may be less confusing for consumers looking to buy an unlocked handset for use with GSM carriers abroad, but who might be thrown off by the inclusion of a T-Mobile SIM. Further obscuring matters, while iPhone 6 units sold from the Apple Store ship unlocked, handsets sold through the carrier T-Mobile are locked to its network.
It's also a new option for contract-free Verizon and Sprint customers looking to upgrade and pay full price for an unlocked handset.
With SIM-free iPhone 6 models now available through Apple's online store, it's likely that units will also begin to show up in the company's retail stores this week. Contract-free iPhone 6 pricing increases to $749 for 64 gigabytes, and $849 for 128 gigabytes, while the iPhone 6 Plus starts at $749 for 16 gigabytes and has $100 price increases for each corresponding capacity increase.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
32 Comments
Big news day
This phone works on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint in the United States. It has a different model number than the T-Mobile contract-free phone. Details are on the Apple Store website.
Apple has been selling unlocked, SIM free iPhone 6' in most other markets around the world since day one. It's the only way to go. The US is always a step behind on the cellular front due to the power of the telecoms.
This phone works on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint in the United States. It has a different model number than the T-Mobile contract-free phone. Details are on the Apple Store website.
Unless there was a major policy change at VZW, the "SIM-free" iPhones will not work for Verizon. Not due to any technical limitations, but because Verizon has had a strict policy to restrict phone activations to only those phones where the IMEI numbers are in their database. If it didn't start life as a "Verizon phone", they refuse to activate it.
Ironically, Verizon 5S/6/6+ iPhones (even on-contract iPhones) come factory unlocked and will work on basically any other GSM LTE carrier.
Edit, the iPhone 6/6+ website does say this will work on Verizon:
It also says (emphasis mine):
If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. If you choose T-Mobile, your iPhone comes with a T-Mobile SIM card already installed. You will need to contact T-Mobile or visit an Apple Retail Store to activate your iPhone.
Otherwise, the unlocked iPhone does not come with a nano-SIM card for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, or iPhone 5c so you’ll need to get one from any supported carrier worldwide. To start using your iPhone, simply insert the SIM card into the slot and turn on iPhone by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.
Purchasing an unlocked iPhone means you will not qualify for the lower iPhone price associated with a contract or a carrier installment plan. The unlocked iPhone 6 model is A1586. The unlocked iPhone 6 Plus model is A1524. The T-Mobile iPhone 6 model is A1549. The T-Mobile iPhone 6 Plus model is A1522. For details on LTE network support, please see www.apple.com/iphone/LTE.
If you look at the iPhone LTE page linked above, it specifically says the A1586 and A1524 models are the TD-LTE (bands 38-41) versions which are supported by Sprint, but not Verizon. Curiouser and curiouser...
I'd also be very curious to see if a "SIM-free" iPhone was still unlocked after being activated on the Sprint network.
The 1586 and 1584 models supports Sprint's bands in addition to Verizon's. These are truly the world phones.