Buying iPhone in US & taking it home to UK

Jimmymc50 wrote:

The thing is the warranty only lasts 1 year. I’ve had iPhones for the last 10+ years, never had any issues with any of them and never had to use the warranty. Therefore the way I see it is I’m paying £150+ more for an iPhone from the uk just to get 1 year warranty that in all likelihood won’t be needed.

Since none of us have crystal balls, you can't know what the future holds. You're original question assumes warranty is a concern for you. Evidently, it isn't and you now know a phone purchased in the US will NOT have warranty in the UK. As long as you're willing to gamble, it's your money and you can do what you want.

On a final note, only Apple sells carrier unlocked iPhones. If you are determined to buy your phone in the US, only buy it directly from Apple.

That would be news to Apple and Apple Legal, who specifically says Apple Warranty for iPhone, may be limited to the country of purchase.

Contained in the official Apple iOS Warranty is the following:

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD, APPLE TV and HOMEPOD SERVICE.

Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and HomePod to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.

"May" almost 100% means if a phone is purchased in the US, then used in another country, Apple will require the phone to be returned (not by mail) to the country of purchase for warranty support.

Legal - iOS Warranty Document Us - Apple

I'm not sure where you got your law degree, but Apple is pretty good about being up front and specific with warranty claimes.

If the product is portable, meaning that it can operate independently without a power cord, you may obtain warranty service worldwide.

Ah, but you missed the disclaimer later in the document. Can you find it?

theaxayeffect wrote:

i am not claiming any policy on my own. the exact paragraph is quoted in apple limited warranty policy document. please have a look.

Those of us who have been on these forums for years are aware of the exact paragraph you are referring too. But it does not apply to iPhones purchased in one country and used in another country. I provided you the exact language which applies to iOS based devices, which is THE warranty which specifically covers iPhone and is the one Apple has used for years. And for years, we've seen people buy their phone in the US and go to their home country and then come on this very forum and whine and moan that they were denied warranty coverage in their home country.

You are doing people a disservice if you believe telling people they would be safe to buy their phone in one country and get warranty support in another. Would you feel no remorse for advising someone to do something which would cause them harm ultimately?

I hope no one takes your advice. So I am saying with much experience here that is ALWAYS best to buy ones iPhone in the country they live and will use the phone. BUYER BEWARE, if you don't.

Don't do it. iPhone warranty is NOT, nor has it EVER been international. Any savings you may get by buying your phone in the US will evaporate and then some if you ever need warranty service. You'll have to hop on a plane and bring the phone back to the US. Buying an iPhone in the US to save money is not a good idea.

Kurtosis12 wrote:

It actually says that in the fine print, someone brought that to my attention yesterday.

Unfortunately, the exceptions/conditions for cellular devices basically render that meaningless.

They might be able to get a screen or battery replaced, but that’s about the extent of it since no Apple Store or Apple service provider outside of the US has replacements for US market devices.

I agree and it even said something to that affect in the next paragraph.

If your UK carrier doesn’t offer eSIM, don’t even consider it.

And it’s still not a good idea for the other reasons already posted.

Additionally: Don’t overlook that you’ll additionally be paying State and Local sales tax on any purchase. This probably averages 7% in most areas but CAN be higher.

No, the warranty is only valid in the country where you purchase the iPhone.

If there is something wrong with the iPhone you would have to commute back and forth.

If the product is portable, meaning that it can operate independently without a power cord, you may obtain warranty service worldwide.

theaxayeffect wrote:

If the product is portable, meaning that it can operate independently without a power cord, you may obtain warranty service worldwide.

False.

It actually says that in the fine print, someone brought that to my attention yesterday.

i am not claiming any policy on my own. the exact paragraph is quoted in apple limited warranty policy document. please have a look.