If I buy an unlocked iPhone in Canada and insert my SIM, will it work in France?

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Level 1

5 points

If I buy an unlocked iPhone in Canada and insert my SIM, will it work in France?

Basically what I'm asking is is an iPhone an international phone? I'm going to be travelling in France coming up and I want to buy an unlocked iPhone 5c in Canada and insert my Rogers SIM card. I know from previous experience certain phones cannot be used overseas regardless of your plan, while others can (I think they're sometimes called "world phones." If I get a specific short term plan, will I be able to text and whatnot from France using my iPhone? (Not worrying about using data)

iPhone 5c

Posted on Feb 7, 2014 2:38 PM

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Answer 1

wegras

Level 6

15,311 points

Feb 7, 2014 2:51 PM in response to Wasy16

Only Apple sell unlocked iPhones at full price ,no subsidy

Carriers lock the iPhones on point of sale to their network and some including Rogers will unlock the iPhone BUT they will be able to tell you the criteria for unlocking

If you buy from Apple the iPhone will work with any supported carrier worldwide on 3G but not LTE as there are models for each geography due to the lack of commonality in LTE bands used across the world

In France you will have a French number and can use all the facilities the carrier provides

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Answer 2

Wasy16 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 7, 2014 2:57 PM in response to wegras

I am buying it directly from Apple so it will be unlocked and I already have a SIM with a plan so it won't become locked when I insert it, but from what you've said I guess I can insert a prepaid french SIM and use it or just deal with the ridiculously high rates from Rogers.

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