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iPhone XR Now Available SIM-Free in the United States

Thursday November 15, 2018 5:13 am PST by Eric Slivka
Apple has made the iPhone XR available SIM-free in the United States, allowing customers to purchase the phone unlocked and unassociated with any carrier. Customers can then choose to obtain a SIM from any carrier of their choice.


SIM-free iPhone models typically debut in the United States up to several months after the initial product launch as Apple prioritizes supplies for upgrade users already tied in with its carrier partners. The iPhone XS was a bit unusual in that SIM-free models were available from launch day, but that was not the case with the iPhone XR.

SIM-free iPhone XR models are compatible with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and other carriers.

The iPhone XR starts at $749 for 64 GB models available in white, black, blue, yellow, coral, and (PRODUCT)RED. Higher-capacity models are available for $799 (128 GB) and $899 (256 GB).

Related Roundup: iPhone XR
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XR (Caution)
[ 78 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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Mackinjosh
10 months ago
These were available from day one. Here's how:
- Pay full price for any carrier model
- Open sim tray
- remove sim
- throw sim away
Rating: 10 Votes
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martyjmclean
10 months ago
I guess locked phones aren't illegal/are the norm in America? I don't get how that works, but it must be annoying.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Zyphrax
10 months ago
I don't understand people calling the iPhone XR a budget phone.

That is like saying that an Intel Core i7 is a budget processor, because the Intel Core i9 exists.
The XR is just a different model and, yes, cheaper than the expensive XS models, but not budget by any means.

The iPhone SE could perhaps be called the budget model.
Rating: 4 Votes
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EightyTwenty
10 months ago
They need to make a smaller phone. It’s silly that the smallest current gen iPhone is 5.8”.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Glideslope
10 months ago

I can afford iPhones but I still don't see how 750 dollars for a phone is a budget price.


Only in the Apple Universe. Tim has some big decisions in 2019. Increasing prices to maintain revenue targets amidst declining unit sales has gone beyond reality this year.

There will always be customers who purchase the flagship revesion every year. There will always be people with the financial means to purchase the perceived hottest device every year. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s their money they have the right to do as they please.

Apple needs to be increasing iPhone market share in order to keep the services revenue stream on track for guidance. Services are driven by expansion of the user base. Nothing offered this fall IMO will bring an Android user into the Apple Ecosystem.

Apple needs a $599 iPhone, and soon. :apple:
Rating: 4 Votes
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MacLawyer
10 months ago

I guess locked phones aren't illegal/are the norm in America? I don't get how that works, but it must be annoying.


Nothing's the norm here. LOL
Rating: 3 Votes
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Mackinjosh
10 months ago

No, you bought an unlocked AT&T phone in full I assume. I have noticed so many different responses to how the unlocked/activation process works but I still do not trust AT&T (or any of the carriers for what matter) so I wanted to wait for the real deal. More of a peace of mind purchase if you want a carrier free phone.

And the article is wrong, the X carrier free came out a month after the X was initially released. My assumption is they wait until the stores have adequate inventory on the carrier models before carving out another sku. I was expecting a month so I am guessing there is no inventory issues - slow sales or heavily ramped up production.

It isn't an ATT phone. It's an unlocked APPLE phone with an ATT sim in it. There's no other affiliation to a carrier whatsoever as long as you buy the phone outright.
Rating: 2 Votes
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snowboarder
10 months ago
They are getting desperate. Need to keep the noise. But it's not working I guess...
Supposed to sell tons of those.
[doublepost=1542297617][/doublepost]

Only in the Apple Universe. Tim has some big decisions in 2019. Increasing prices to maintain revenue targets amidst declining unit sales has gone beyond reality this year.


Exactly right. They seriously thought one product will keep them flying for ever.
It would except that product kind of is not what it used to be...
Rating: 2 Votes
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Starship67
10 months ago

You already have a SIM card in your current phone... why would you need to buy a new phone with a new SIM card than have to transfer the number? Am I missing something?

You wouldn’t have to transfer numbers. Just take the new sim out and put in your old one. The new sim would just be unused.
Rating: 2 Votes
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The SpinDoctor
10 months ago

I don’t understand. I walked into an Apple Store and asked for/received an unlocked red XR on launch day. There was an AT&T SIM card inside, but I just tossed it and popped in my T-Mobile one.

So this removes the .5 seconds it takes to discard the AT&T SIM?


This - picked up a phone from the Apple Store on launch day, threw out the AT&T SIM, and put in a SIM card from Three UK and it worked fine
Rating: 2 Votes

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