Purchasing unlocked UK IphoneSE using in US long term

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Level 1

13 points

Purchasing unlocked UK IphoneSE using in US long term

I will be purchasing an IPhone SE in the UK while there for an extended stay. I will then be needing to use it on a permanent basis in the US. I split between both places. Is it better to buy an unlocked IPhone at the Apple store or will there be difficulties using it if purchased elsewhere? I've read GiffGaff have good truly unlocked prices and reliability. Here are the specs on GffGaff

https://www.giffgaff.com/apple/apple-iphone-se/phone-details#specification

I realize I can get a Sim card in the USA, I have read that any sim card will work in an unlocked IPhone. But, I am unclear on what that means in terms of this list on the Apple site. Am I understanding correctly that this means if I want to have get a monthly plan in the US with a sim card that I need to think in terms of what Network to use with what model number? Why do some sites say a sim card will work in an Unlocked IPhone but then this Apple lists only certain providers work with certain serial numbers etc?

http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

I have also read that the first time an iPhone is used it locks onto whatever network you use the first time. Is that true with an unlocked IPhone and is that something that can be switched at the Genius bar in either country when a local sim card is swapped. I would be grateful for the latest information on how to smoothly transition between both countries and how easy it would be to swap Sim cards when needed.

Many thanks.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on May 14, 2016 8:40 AM

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Answer 1

ManSinha

Level 6

12,213 points

May 14, 2016 8:48 AM in response to gracetools

Here is what I know

Do not buy from Carphone Warehouse as the phones lock to the first carrier they are activated on

Buying from Apple at full price always gets you an unlocked phone

The list on Apple's site lists those providers which provide the features associated with the phone like iMessage etc - we have incidents of certain posters here being charged for activation calls as their provider was not an official Apple partner or they could not use LTE etc

The Genius bar will not help with SIM locked (carrier locked) phones - you will have to work with the carrier on that one.

May be some of our UK based colleagues can chime in

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Answer 2

gracetools Author

Level 1

13 points

May 14, 2016 8:55 AM in response to ManSinha

Thanks that does help a bit and I would also appreciate some UK folks chiming in with any additional details. If I am understanding correctly if I purchase and IPhone @ Apple Store it would not align to first carrier used if say I had a sim card only service through somewhere like Vodafone UK? Am I correct in assuming the locking to a service is mainly if you purchase through the provider (carrier). Sound like that Apple site list is important to ensure full use of phone with carrier in US supporting all the LTE bells and whistles?

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Answer 3

ManSinha

Level 6

12,213 points

May 14, 2016 10:11 AM in response to gracetools

Yes Yes and Yes 🙂

I have also requested some additional advice from our UK based members - it may be a while but you may get more "authentic" advice

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Answer 4

gracetools Author

Level 1

13 points

May 14, 2016 10:33 AM in response to ManSinha

Many thanks for your help.🙂

I wanted to make sure I was understanding the articles etc. I have been reading.

I appreciate your shout out to UK users.

Any other tips and issues and suggestions of things I I haven't thought of using both countries would also be appreciated.😉

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Answer 5

Paul_31

Level 6

14,192 points

May 15, 2016 4:56 AM in response to gracetools

I'm in the UK - this is my experience which will hopefully help.

I've owned three iPhones which have all been purchased directly from Apple as 'unlocked'. I've had no problems switching SIM cards when on extended travel in Australia or Europe. I've also switched providers in the UK requiring a SIM switch. everything works as you would hope when buying unlocked from Apple.

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Answer 6

gracetools Author

Level 1

13 points

May 15, 2016 4:59 AM in response to Paul_31

Dear Paul,

Thank you. That does help. Sounds safer all around to buy from Apple as opposed to say GiffGaff, I had read their unlocked phones were good. I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts on the difference between purchasing an Apple unlocked in the US as opposed to the UK. I thought for use in the UK the phone purchased in the Uk would be more worldwide, I've read US iPhones aren't as good for use in the UK, and circumstances will probably mean that's where I end up purchasing...Many thanks and any further input appreciated!

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Answer 7

ManSinha

Level 6

12,213 points

May 15, 2016 9:23 AM in response to gracetools

Unless you are going to China - which has its own model - the iPhone is a world phone and can be used most everywhere

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Answer 8

gracetools Author

Level 1

13 points

May 15, 2016 9:25 AM in response to ManSinha

great thanks ManSinha...wasn't sure if one was considered better in any way or more universal ...not anymore I guess

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