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iPhone Xs Max locked or unlocked - Is there a Difference in features/plan availability/performance?
I am going to purchase outright an iPhone Xs Max. I have an AT&T legacy plan which I will keep. I read that At&T offers the option for voice-over-LTE and wi-fi calling only on AT&T carrier locked phone at initial purchase, not unlocked ones. Is this true and are there other features in specifying an AT&T carrier phone at Apple store purchase that won’t be there vs Apple store unlocked phone which is ported to my AT&T plan? Availability of my specific iphone model wanted at this time prompts this unlocked vs locked purchase at this time.
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MicCheck
ACE - Expert
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14.2K Messages
6 years ago
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Fl_retire
ACE - Professor
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3K Messages
6 years ago
@psufan44 I purchased the unlocked iPhone Xs from Apple and have ATT. Inserted my SIM and did a restore. No problem using VOLTE and WiFi calling or any of the other ATT functions including ATT Call Protect.
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GLIMMERMAN76
ACE - Expert
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23.9K Messages
6 years ago
Only ANDROID phones have the unlocked phone limitations with enhanced LTE services.
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psufan44
Tutor
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4 Messages
6 years ago
Thanks for the response. If there is no functional difference for having an unlocked vs locked purchase with AT&T, then would I assume it's a marketing driver for offering the lock/unlock option (different financing/upgrade plans, Apple store/AT&T store etc.). I was told if I purchase a locked AT&T carrier phone at the Apple Store, it could be unlocked immediately if fully paid at purchase. I have scanned some message board posts on this subject and noted some people have had issues getting phones unlocked.
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sandblaster
ACE - Expert
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64.7K Messages
6 years ago
Yes, a marketing driver as in to use ATT’s financing program, you must buy the locked ATT model. I don’t know about the new model but past models also had a hardware difference. The ATT and T-Mobile versions had different hardware that did not include CDMA radios meaning even unlocked, those phones woudn’t work on Verizon’s or Sprint’s CDMA network.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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117K Messages
6 years ago
The good news is the phones are all universal this time around.
https://www.apple.com/iphone-xs/specs/
And the sim free model is available unlocked out of the box now, rather than a 4 to 6 week wait.
Att unlocking rules are a pain in the rear.
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Fl_retire
ACE - Professor
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3K Messages
6 years ago
Found this on Apple Xs Max models.
Looks like CMDA and GSM radios are in the phone.
https://www.apple.com/iphone-xs/specs/
https://www.techwalls.com/iphone-xs-max-model-number-a1921-a2101-a2102-a2104-differences/
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psufan44
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4 Messages
6 years ago
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psufan44
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4 Messages
6 years ago
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jackosbo2
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1 Message
6 years ago
how to unlock a iPhone se
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