Q: How to buy a fully unlocked iPhone 6/6+ Model 1586/1524 in the U.S.?

It is confirmed that one is able to get 4G LTE support in most mega cities and some 20 other cities in China on iPhone 6/Plus Model A1549/1522 from either China Telcom or China Unicom.

China Mobile would still require fully unlocked global iPhone 6 Model A1586/1524 to enjoy their 4G LTE network.

Problem solved.

I'm trying to do the exact same thing and I think I've found the way.  I called Apple at 1-800-275-2273 and got almost the same answer as you. The initial call taker just kept repeating a canned line that Apple doesn't sell unlocked phones and can't guarantee mobile providers would either.  When I mentioned the model number (A1524) and part number (MGD12LL/A) I wanted and that I wanted to pay full price, she eventually let me talk to someone in sales there who could tell me specifically what I needed to know.  By the way, the chart at http://www.techwalls.com/differences-between-iphone-6-6-plus-models/ for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus (or for iPhone 5s see: http://www.techwalls.com/iphone-5s-a1533-a1453-a1457-a1530-differences/) is extremely helpful in understanding the technical differences in the various iPhone models.  I travel a lot too and want the truly "World Phone" - the A1524 (that's for the 6 Plus - the equivalent for the iPhone 6 is the A1586).

Thanks,

Your resources are very helpful.

AApple does sell fully u locked versions of their phones at full price but they don't come out until later. I had to wait 2-3 months to get the 5s unlocked from apple. TThe 6 unlocked will sell in a few months.

Kevin

Mac  devices do have world wide warranty and you may be lucky with a wifi only iPad

iPhones and iPads do not because ot the cellular issue

The ONLY place to get an unlocked iPhone in UK is Apple Retail stores or Apple.com/uk

Singapore ,yes unlocked from Apple

Japan No and even the Carriers do not offer unlocking

Buy one in or from the UK, they're fully unlocked if purchased from the Apple Store...

When I went to Apple store, before the iPhone 6 came out. I asked one of the sales, she said the unlocked 5s came out 3 months after the initial 5s sales. We might wait for a while for the unlock 6+. Apple couldn't keep up with the demand. Although, I wonder if a1524 verison will be available as unlock dirctly from Apple Store.

Peter: Thank you for these your warnings and insights. They are all very helpful. Just to add onto the international notes about warranties, I’ve been talking to a few people who have bought iPhones in countries other than where they live in the past and they’ve generally had great experience with Apple servicing them - but also noting the same caveat you mentioned: if Apple’s geniuses need to replace the phone, they need to have the exact same model in stock because they will only do like-for-like swap-outs (so if a swap is required and they don't stock it, you may need to get to the country you purchased it from to get it serviced). In my case, this might only be a problem if I’d buy from Sprint (since Sprint’s model A1524 has a few extra older CDMA channels when compared to the model A1524 that Apple sells). Because Sprint has been so difficult to work with (over 10 hours on the phone in total so far, dozens of transfers, several dropped calls, but on the bright side an international team that has been quite helpful and promised to fully unlock the phone once anyone at Sprint can sell it to me), I think I’ve decided to buy an A1524 from the Apple store in New York on 5th Avenue. I’ve now heard from a couple people who have been able to get an unlocked A1524 there even though Apple says US Apple online won’t be selling them for another 2 months.  If I can’t get them there or wait the 2 months, I may buy one unlocked from the London Regent Street store. But in either case, I will be getting the A1524 that my local Apple store should stock for any future repair issues.

Don: Good advice too. Thank you. Note that if you want the more worldly version of the iPhone 6 Plus (more bands and countries support), you need to ask for model A1524. I think Apple UK may also carry one of the model A1522’s too. I will be in queue right behind you too if I’m unable to get one unlocked in the US.

Mikezmac and PoohBearZa: Yes. The official line from Apple is that their unlocked ones will come out in the US 3 months after the initial release date (but see note above if you’re in more of a rush than that). Apple’s unlocked ones are already out and being sold in countries that require phone manufacturers to also sell full price unlocked ones (like the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.). They are slightly more expensive in those countries than in the US and you’ll need to ask questions (or if you’re in a store, look at the box) to ensure it’s the model you want. Buying online makes that a bit trickier because Apple’s website doesn’t let you specify the model number you want exactly (between the two A1522's and A1524 for example) but the folks on their 0800 number did seem to be able to fill that request when I’m ready to buy. My guess is that Apple is continuing this 3-month pause to respect the relationship they have with the networks to let them have a chance to sell some before Apple jumps more fully into the sales game. I can’t imagine anyone would want to put themselves through working with any of the US networks to buy an unlocked phone if Apple were also selling them. I hope if there is no other reason for this pause, they think about skipping it as they do in the rest of the world for future unlocked phone sales, especially now that Federal US law requires networks to unlock their phone when customer’s contract periods are over (like in the case when they buy the phone for full price).

Hope that helps and hope you're all having a great weekend!

PS - I'm not sure if I'm seeing things or not but I think there are a few errors on this chart that Apple referred me to http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/ in comparing the models of these phones. It's definitely getting better in the past week since they initially referred me to it but AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon appear in the top of the list (for models A1549 and A1522) but don't appear in the second list (for models A1586 and A1524). This should be impossible (as should really any network being listed on the top list and not the second list) because if I understand the specs on the bands correctly, the A1549 is a subset of the A1586 and the A1522 is a subset of the A1524. I brought this up with Apple and they were confused too (but you'll note that the second list is growing in length quite quickly so I'm guessing it will soon include all the items from the first list). The other small error in that chart is that it mentions an "A1586 (GSM)" and a "A1586 (CDMA)" but I think Apple only has one iPhone named the model "A1586" (unlike the two other models it has - the "A1549 (GSM)" and the "A1549 (CDMA)", and same problem with the three models of iPhone 6 Pluses - the "A1522 (GSM)", "A1522 (CDMA)", and the "A1524". Otherwise, this is a very helpful chart because it's Apple's official support list and up the the minute on which networks support which new iPhones for LTE.

Following is the answer for people interested in buying iPhone 6 and 6 Plus outside China for use in China and other parts of the world:

There are several models of iPhone 6, models A1586 (3 Carriers Version for China), A1586 (GSM version, Hong Kong), A1586 (Japan version), A1589 (China Mobile version), and A1549 (GSM version) from USA.  A1586 (3 carriers version for China) and A1586 (Japan version) are universal for 4G, 3G and 2G on all carriers globally.  A1586 (GSM HK) will ONLY work China Mobile and China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G.  It does not work with China Telecom, period.  A1549 (GSM version, USA) will work on China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G; it only works on China Mobile 2G and China Telecom 4G. A1589 (China Mobile version) does not work on China Telecom 3G and 2G.

There are several models of iPhone 6 Plus, models A1524 (3 carriers version for China), A1524 (GSM version, Hong Kong), A1524 (Japan version), A1593 (China Mobile version) and A1522 (GSM) from USA.  A1524 (3 carriers version for China) and A1524 (Japan version) are universal for 4G, 3G and 2G on all carriers globally.  A1524 (GSM HK) will ONLY work China Mobile and China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G.  It does not work with China Telecom, period. A1522 (GSM version, USA) will work on China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G; it only works on China Mobile 2G and China Telecom 4G.  A1593 (China Mobile version) does not work on China Telecom 3G and 2G.

So, when you buy an unlocked iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, do not presume you can use it globally.  Make sure you have models A1586 (3 carriers version, China OR A1586 (Japan) for iPhone 6 and A1524 (3 carriers version, China) OR A1524 (Japan) for iPhone 6 Plus.

Good Luck!

Following is the answer for people interested in buying iPhone 6 and 6 Plus outside China for use in China and other parts of the world:

There are several models of iPhone 6, models A1586 (3 Carriers Version for China), A1586 (GSM version, Hong Kong), A1586 (Japan version), A1589 (China Mobile version), and A1549 (GSM version) from USA.  A1586 (3 carriers version for China) and A1586 (Japan version) are universal for 4G, 3G and 2G on all carriers globally.  A1586 (GSM HK) will ONLY work China Mobile and China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G.  It does not work with China Telecom, period.  A1549 (GSM version, USA) will work on China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G; it only works on China Mobile 2G and China Telecom 4G. A1589 (China Mobile version) does not work on China Telecom 3G and 2G.

There are several models of iPhone 6 Plus, models A1524 (3 carriers version for China), A1524 (GSM version, Hong Kong), A1524 (Japan version), A1593 (China Mobile version) and A1522 (GSM) from USA.  A1524 (3 carriers version for China) and A1524 (Japan version) are universal for 4G, 3G and 2G on all carriers globally.  A1524 (GSM HK) will ONLY work China Mobile and China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G.  It does not work with China Telecom, period. A1522 (GSM version, USA) will work on China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G; it only works on China Mobile 2G and China Telecom 4G.  A1593 (China Mobile version) does not work on China Telecom 3G and 2G.

So, when you buy an unlocked iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, do not presume you can use it globally.  Make sure you have models A1586 (3 carriers version, China OR A1586 (Japan) for iPhone 6 and A1524 (3 carriers version, China) OR A1524 (Japan) for iPhone 6 Plus.

Good Luck!

Bought an A1586 64GB from an Apple UK store. Yes, a £90 more than the US when you factor in exchange rate and sales tax. On the other hand, it's in my hand, it works in my home country and I have negligible intention to live in China. Factor in the reality I'm no longer ******* around on these forums and I'm a happy Apple fanboy. Add in a Three sim only deal of unlimited 4g data at £18 a month and well... what's all the fuss. Pull yourselves togehther

The thread will be closed now. Any further questions relating to differences between iPhone 6 models, please refer to this comment.

Thanks

Kevin Quincey wrote:

 

TrueDichotomy -

 

I'm trying to do the exact same thing and I think I've found the way.  I called Apple at 1-800-275-2273 and got almost the same answer as you. The initial call taker just kept repeating a canned line that Apple doesn't sell unlocked phones and can't guarantee mobile providers would either.  When I mentioned the model number (A1524) and part number (MGD12LL/A) I wanted and that I wanted to pay full price, she eventually let me talk to someone in sales there who could tell me specifically what I needed to know.  By the way, the chart at http://www.techwalls.com/differences-between-iphone-6-6-plus-models/ for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus (or for iPhone 5s see: http://www.techwalls.com/iphone-5s-a1533-a1453-a1457-a1530-differences/) is extremely helpful in understanding the technical differences in the various iPhone models.  I travel a lot too and want the truly "World Phone" - the A1524 (that's for the 6 Plus - the equivalent for the iPhone 6 is the A1586).

 

What I learned from the Sales rep there was that when the chart says you won't be able to get the A1586 or A1524 unlocked, what it means is that you won't be able to get the CDMA portion of it unlocked (and even that is not completely necessarily true - but more on that later). You will not need to unlock the rest of the channels on the phone because they come already unlocked.  The GSM and all the other bands (TD-SCDMA?, GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, FDD-LTE, and TD-LTE) are already ready to be used in other countries.  The good news is that only the US uses CDMA so locking your CDMA portion simply means that if you buy it from Sprint, you'll only be able to use the CDMA portion of the phone on Sprint when you're in the US (the only other 2 providers that Apple knew of who sold this in the US and did this were US Cellular and C-Spire - so that simply means, this locking will only cut out the other two networks from that list that you don't choose to buy it from - it's truly a world phone otherwise and you'll be able to use it pretty much anywhere else including in the US on GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile, Europe, Australia or wherever). Or you could buy it from Singapore or Japan and technically be able to use it on all three of them (but getting Pay-As-You-Go deals or any reasonable short-term deal in the US has always seemed to be another hurdle that has nothing to do with the technical challenge).

 

2 more notes: I was reassured enough by the information I received to decide to buy mine from a Sprint store in the US (even though I now live in the UK) for full retail price with no Sprint contract.  Because of the bill Pres Obama just signed into law, mobile providers are mandated to unlock phones when you've paid off any contract requirements for subsidies to the phone maker (which I will have done by buying the phone for full price)...so.... I guess I might be testing that new law out (but it's not really too big a deal for me because where I travel to in the US, sprint has always had better coverage than US Cellular anyway and I've never even seen C-Spire yet so I'm not put out with the small link to Sprint anyway).  I have an address and brothers in the US and get there often so I don't need to try geex4's re-routing service but it's nice to know that kind of thing exists.  If you want AppleCare, you have 60 days from the purchase date to add it at Apple for $99 (which actually seems like a good deal to me since their service extends to all the countries I'm in for a full 2 years).

In the UK, 3 (three - the network provider) is offering "Feel At Home" service for FREE on their £20/month OnePlan customers - I've been to Sweden, France, and the US now and gotten Free unlimited Data there for my first time ever!  No strings.  Amazing.  I can't tell you how many times I tried in France and the US and been completely ripped off by Orange or AT&T and other networks who promised they could get me data, so I was completely floored when they gave me this for free!  So now when I travel almost anywhere, I just keep my home 3 sim in and can also make and receive calls and texts from/to the UK for free too!

Are you sure about those models. It seems contrary to what I read here: http://www.techwalls.com/differences-between-iphone-6-6-plus-models/

yeh168 wrote:

 

Following is the answer for people interested in buying iPhone 6 and 6 Plus outside China for use in China and other parts of the world:

 

There are several models of iPhone 6, models A1586 (3 Carriers Version for China), A1586 (GSM version, Hong Kong), A1586 (Japan version), A1589 (China Mobile version), and A1549 (GSM version) from USA.  A1586 (3 carriers version for China) and A1586 (Japan version) are universal for 4G, 3G and 2G on all carriers globally.  A1586 (GSM HK) will ONLY work China Mobile and China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G.  It does not work with China Telecom, period.  A1549 (GSM version, USA) will work on China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G; it only works on China Mobile 2G and China Telecom 4G. A1589 (China Mobile version) does not work on China Telecom 3G and 2G.

 

There are several models of iPhone 6 Plus, models A1524 (3 carriers version for China), A1524 (GSM version, Hong Kong), A1524 (Japan version), A1593 (China Mobile version) and A1522 (GSM) from USA.  A1524 (3 carriers version for China) and A1524 (Japan version) are universal for 4G, 3G and 2G on all carriers globally.  A1524 (GSM HK) will ONLY work China Mobile and China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G.  It does not work with China Telecom, period. A1522 (GSM version, USA) will work on China Unicom 4G, 3G and 2G; it only works on China Mobile 2G and China Telecom 4G.  A1593 (China Mobile version) does not work on China Telecom 3G and 2G.

 

So, when you buy an unlocked iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, do not presume you can use it globally.  Make sure you have models A1586 (3 carriers version, China OR A1586 (Japan) for iPhone 6 and A1524 (3 carriers version, China) OR A1524 (Japan) for iPhone 6 Plus.

 

Good Luck!

hi guy i have the same problem iam from mexico i want to buy the iphone 6 unlocked  or contrat free to use only in mexico i ll be traveling to LA the next week i will pay full price, wich model should i buy? or jus the T mobile i hear the it is contrat free an unlicked it is true? please help me

I'm currently on working on a project in Qatar. The iPhone went on sale officially last week. But some shops have been selling imported versions from the US here. I brought an iphone 6 64gb. When I opened the box the first thing I notice there was no sim tray remover which as far as i know only us versions come without out one.

When I popped out the sim tray, there was a verizon sim card in there. I'm assuming this shop ordered full priced iphones from them because i paid 4,000qr (roughly over $1,000) for it at the shop.

It works fine with my Qatar sim card. No issues. i think it is safe to assume that full priced verizon iphones can be used internationally. This is great since i travel back and forth between the states and qatar a lot.

Hi!

I don't have a solution but I have related queries and would be grateful if you could please provide me with some answers! The reason why I'm specifically posting here is because you seem to have good knowledge about the devices/carriers.

I want to buy iPhone 6 plus (factory unlocked) since I am an international student and might return to the UAE by 2016. I should be able to use my phone in the UAE as well with my local SIM card.

My options are:

T-mobile version on Apple.com (almost everyone on all the Apple forums has confirmed that it is unlocked). However, I stumbled upon the following article and got confused:

http://m.imore.com/iphone-6s-lte-support-isnt-quite-good-enough-t-mobile

Since I'm not a techie, I wanted to know does this mean there is some defect in the device itself or it is carrier related? If it's carrier related, then I will make the purchase right now because I can use another SIM card in the US. However, if there are some device related issues, then I will not purchase the phone.

My second option is paying the full price upfront and getting the phone from Verizon:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/vzw/smartphones/iphone-6-plus/

One of the Verizon representatives confirmed that the phone will be locked for a year to Verizon (ALLSET plan is the one I want to go ahead with and they said I can) and then I can request for it to be unlocked. I will definitely be here in the US for at least another year. So even if I return to Dubai after that, the device should be unlocked so that I can use it there with my local SIM card. I have confirmed with them that it is a GSM device. However, when I spoke to another representative, he told me that it is factory unlocked and I got confused because two different representatives from the same company are giving me two different answers.

I can wait for iPhone to release the unlocked version of the phone but their representatives are not too optimistic about the date so I am very confused at this point and would appreciate any help.