Sim Free vs Carrier Options

There are no activation Fees with either.

The Sim free version comes without a sim, that is, it will have no sim card installed inside, and will require one to be able to make calls and send messages or activation with the cellular carrier using the embedded eSim.

The Carrier option will include a sim for the selected carrier, and it can be setup for calls and messages with your carrier directly in the Settings App.

Note, that depending on your carrier and payment option it may be locked to the carrier. The Sim Free option is unlocked an can be used with any carrier.

In the U.S its only locked if AT&T is selected as carrier and the payment option is set to AT&T's monthly installment plan.

It depends on your carrier contract.

I've always bought my iPhones (since 2008) from my carrier (Apple Authorized Reseller), and each agreement mentioned the possibility of changing carrier whenever I wanted, paying a small amount of money (I never changed my carrier). Some friends of mine decided to change carrier and some of them (not aware of this specific point of any carrier's plan) got big / bad surprises.

In other words, the most important thing is: be careful ! Even if you buy a SIM free device, the first thing you'll do after receiving it, is to subscribe to a traffic / data plan with a cellular carrier.

Regards

Giulio