My parents are going to US. My mother wants to get a new iPhone but the issue I'm having is they look like they are all locked to a carrier over there rather than being unlocked?
What's the deal with that?
Anyone clarify?
I've been googling it but for the most part it's just utter shit
iPhone in yank land
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Re: iPhone in yank land
The only US carrier that does unlocked iPhones is T-Mobile. The model they sell won't work on most UK carriers except in GSM mode.
The model you need is only sold for Sprint or US Cellular and is locked.
Plus most states have sales tax plus you'll get hit for VAT on returning so it won't be cheaper anyway especially at the current exchange rate.
The model you need is only sold for Sprint or US Cellular and is locked.
Plus most states have sales tax plus you'll get hit for VAT on returning so it won't be cheaper anyway especially at the current exchange rate.
A slight majority of a statistically worthless sample size agree.
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kingweed
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Re: iPhone in yank land
Thanks RB.
Just pick it up in the UK then.
Well, online.
Just pick it up in the UK then.
Well, online.
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Ekona
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Re: iPhone in yank land
That's changed then: My old man bought a couple of 6 Pluses back and they were fine. Straight onto O2, no issues at all.
"Chav kids are like sand people. They're easily startled but they'll be back, and in greater numbers."
Re: iPhone in yank land
Even the 6 had two models. They all had the same GSM bands but the LTE bands differed. Only one model which is sold in the US for Sprint or US Cellular will work on 4G here.
I don't know whether the phones are locked to the first SIM put in them or prelocked but only T Mobile (the US one) provides unlocked phones.
I don't know whether the phones are locked to the first SIM put in them or prelocked but only T Mobile (the US one) provides unlocked phones.
A slight majority of a statistically worthless sample size agree.
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Ekona
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Re: iPhone in yank land
He reserved his online, went into an Apple store and paid for it, and it came SIM-free and unlocked. Works perfectly on 4G on O2.
"Chav kids are like sand people. They're easily startled but they'll be back, and in greater numbers."
Re: iPhone in yank land
RB wrote:plus you'll get hit for VAT on returning so it won't be cheaper anyway especially at the current exchange rate.
Unbox it, pop your UK SIM in it and carry it through as your main phone?
Technically cheating, but I don't see how they could call you on it...
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Ekona
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Re: iPhone in yank land
No-one gives a shit, just carry through customs as normal. They're after much more interesting things than a sodding phone 
"Chav kids are like sand people. They're easily startled but they'll be back, and in greater numbers."
Re: iPhone in yank land
Cheats, you're no better than Jimmy Carr 
A slight majority of a statistically worthless sample size agree.
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Ekona
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Re: iPhone in yank land
And proud of it 
"Chav kids are like sand people. They're easily startled but they'll be back, and in greater numbers."
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Ekona
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Re: iPhone in yank land
There you go, told you!
"Chav kids are like sand people. They're easily startled but they'll be back, and in greater numbers."
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kingweed
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Re: iPhone in yank land
To be fair at the time they didn't actually sell sim-free phones. 
The rubbish exchange rate at the moment still would have meant saving a decent amount.
Ah well, always next year!
The rubbish exchange rate at the moment still would have meant saving a decent amount.
Ah well, always next year!
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