How to buy a fully unlocked iPhone 6/6+ Model 1586/1524 in the U.S.?
Below is a chat I had this morning (September 13, 2014) with an Apple sales associate about the iPhone 6. The bottom line is that it appears that Apple currently does not know how to sell its U.S. customers a fully unlocked iPhone 6/6+ Model A1586 or A1524. They are also unwilling to answer whether these models will work with U.S. GSM carriers such as T-Mobile or AT&T (they should work).
However, according to these two documents and prior knowledge of how AT&T & T-Mobile work in the U.S., we should be able to buy a prepaid fully unlocked iPhone 6 model A1586 or A1524 from U.S. Cellular and have them work with U.S. GSM carriers as well as overseas international GSM carriers.
https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937
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Apple: Now Chatting with UNNAMED REP
Customer: Hi I have two questions about the iPhone 6.
Customer: Is an Apple unlocked iPhone 6 Model A1524 be able to be used with T-Mobile and AT&T in the USA?
Customer: or Model A1586 for that matter.
Customer: that's my first question.
Apple Rep: Hey there.
Apple Rep: My name is UNNAMED REP and I will be more than happy to help you with your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus inquiries.
Customer: thanks, did you get my first question above?
Apple Rep: Yes.
Apple Rep: In order to check network compatability we recommend you check with the respective carrier
Customer: Let's say I got an unlocked iPhone 6 from Australian carrier.
Customer: or if I buy a prepaid iPhone 6 from US Cellular and they send it to Apple to have it unlock on my behave.
Customer: both should be the A1586 or A1524 variety.
Apple Rep: At this time, there is no information available for the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus unlocked.
Customer: I have checked with U.S. Cellular, they are willing to sell me an iPhone 6 or 6+ prepaid at full price and they are willing to send it to Apple to request to have it unlocked. I need to know what will Apple do if I make this order.
Apple Rep: Please be aware, Apple does not lock phones.
Customer: and whether that phone will be supported on T-Mobile or AT&T.
Apple Rep: Respective carriers lock their phones to their network.
Apple Rep: Apple does not provide information on unlocking carrier phones.
Customer: Based on this table, U.S. Cellular support unlocking of iPhone with no restrictions unlike Sprint: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937
Customer: I just need to know whether this is how it works before I decide to spend $950 on an iPhone.
Customer: I want an globally unlocked iPhone 6+ A1524 that works with all U.S. GSM carriers.
Apple Rep: OK, here is what we can do
Apple Rep: I recommend we get you in touch with our dedicated iPhone support team, and they will be able to assist with the information
Customer: can provide me with their contact info?
Apple Rep: Click here for dedicated iPhone support
Apple Rep: Did it work?
Customer: yes it took me to the iphone support contact page. I'm trying to figure who to contact exactly. so I just spoke to U.S. Cellular and now with you. I'm not sure exactly who I should talk to next.
Apple Rep: While you have me, did you have any other questions regarding the Apple Online Store?
Customer: no, I'm very familiar with apple. just have this one question.
Apple Rep: Awesome, yes it sounds like you are very knowledgable.
Apple Rep: Thank you for taking the time to visit the Apple Online Store. We appreciate your business! Please feel free to chat with us again if you'd need any further assistance.
Customer: U.S. Cellular asked me to contact Apple after I called them.
Customer: I'd say my question is not fully answered because the support page is not clear with contact info.
Apple Rep: Do you prefer to call support?
Customer: which number do you recommend I call?
Customer: I had originally thought that you'd be able to address this question. but if you can't, all that I have now is a generic Apple world wide number since I have already spoken to U.S. Cellular.
Apple Rep: We do not have that information, I apologize for the inconvenience.
Customer: This is very frustrating. I might be buying three iPhones at full prices for my family if I have the complete information. they live at different parts of the world and travels. now I can't make any purchase decision until Apple has the 'information'. it's surprising that you don't since you make the iPhones.
Apple Rep: At this time, there is no information available for the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus unlocked or full price.
Customer: and you have no information as to when such information might become available?
Apple Rep: Please check back with the Apple.com
Apple Rep: updates are coming very fast
Apple Rep: Stay tuned.
Customer: okay, thanks.
Apple Rep: Thank you for taking the time to visit the Apple Online Store. We appreciate your business! Please feel free to chat with us again if you'd need any further assistance.
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