I plan to move to japan for a couple years. if I buy an iphone 15 from the apple store, can i connect it to a japanese phone company? I’d rather buy it in the states than in Japan.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 12, iOS 17
Also, if you buy the phone in the US, ONLY buy it directly from Apple and pay in full for it. This is the ONLY way you'll get an iPhone which is NOT carrier locked.
The problem with buying a phone in the U.S. for use in Japan.....or any other country for that matter.....is that the phone will have no warranty outside the U.S.
If you are OK with that, you will have to buy an "unlocked" phone from Apple in the U.S. and pay full price to Apple for the phone.
Bottom line......it is almost always better to buy a phone in the country in which it will be used.....even if the price might be higher.....unless.....you are convinced that the phone will not require service.
"just changing the carrier" is not anywhere near as easy as it sounds. It all depends on the original agreement with the original carrier.
For example, most major carriers require a two-year commitment....before....they will unlock the phone for use with another carrier.
Keep in mind that U.S. phones are eSIM only.
I doubt if that will be an issue in “tech-forward” Japan …
… but it’s a consideration for which you DO need to account.
Tiffanyg21 wrote:
I plan to move to japan for a couple years. if I buy an iphone 15 from the apple store, can i connect it to a japanese phone company?
This article seems to address the question you ask about being able to "connect": iPhone - Supported 5G and LTE networks - Apple
I think it is possible. you are just changing the carrier.
Is it possible to Connect US-Purchased iPhone to a Japanese Network?
