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Buying iPhone in US

If I purchase a phone in the US can it be used in Canada, if so would I have to get it unlocked to use with my provider.

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 6:49 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 17, 2020 10:44 AM

You can buy an unlocked phone in the USA. However:


Buying an iPhone in one country to use in another country can have many disadvantages:


Make sure it will work in your country! --> LTE Find the right iPhone for the right country or region. - http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks


Also check if your intended carrier requires a CDMA or GSM phone.


Some carriers will not accept unlocked phones - https://discussions.apple.com/message/20359060#20359060 - E.g., "Virgin Mobile, like all CDMA carriers, will only activate devices on their network that were initially sold for use on their network." and https://discussions.apple.com/message/33206605#message33206605 "The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus sold unlocked and for use on AT&T and T-Mobile is not physically compatible with the Verizon and Sprint networks."


Warranty restriction! - http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html - "IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD AND APPLE TV SERVICE. Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device." <-- The warranty does not outright deny warranty coverage in other countries but there are many limitations to the effect Apple almost certainly will refuse to do repairs under warranty or even repairs at all except in the country of purchase. The device would have to be sent to a friend in the country of purchase to handle any repair claims because Apple will not handle international shipping.


Devices may also have tax added to the cost (e.g., in the USA prices do not include taxes), and you may have to pay import duty when bringing an expensive device into your country.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 17, 2020 10:44 AM in response to hanita48

You can buy an unlocked phone in the USA. However:


Buying an iPhone in one country to use in another country can have many disadvantages:


Make sure it will work in your country! --> LTE Find the right iPhone for the right country or region. - http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks


Also check if your intended carrier requires a CDMA or GSM phone.


Some carriers will not accept unlocked phones - https://discussions.apple.com/message/20359060#20359060 - E.g., "Virgin Mobile, like all CDMA carriers, will only activate devices on their network that were initially sold for use on their network." and https://discussions.apple.com/message/33206605#message33206605 "The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus sold unlocked and for use on AT&T and T-Mobile is not physically compatible with the Verizon and Sprint networks."


Warranty restriction! - http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html - "IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD AND APPLE TV SERVICE. Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device." <-- The warranty does not outright deny warranty coverage in other countries but there are many limitations to the effect Apple almost certainly will refuse to do repairs under warranty or even repairs at all except in the country of purchase. The device would have to be sent to a friend in the country of purchase to handle any repair claims because Apple will not handle international shipping.


Devices may also have tax added to the cost (e.g., in the USA prices do not include taxes), and you may have to pay import duty when bringing an expensive device into your country.


Buying iPhone in US

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