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iPhone 6s - unlock status.

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I'm about to purchase a 6s for my wife. I read about some unlocked handsets locking to a network after a sim is inserted, is this the case as if so it may be an issue.

Her current phone operates with two sims on different networks and I suspect she may wish to be able to change between service providers (I thinks its o2/ Vodafone).

Oh, how does the 6s compare with Samsung edge 6?

Tia.
Don’t be a can’t, be a can.

Comments

  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
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    edited 5 December 2015 at 9:43PM
    ohreally wrote: »
    I'm about to purchase a 6s for my wife. I read about some unlocked handsets locking to a network after a sim is inserted, is this the case as if so it may be an issue.
    AFAIK this is the case only for all iPhones sold by main networks and 'sim-free'/PAYG iPhones sold by CPW and its daughters.

    Is it a secret where are you going to buy it? If from Apple, then no problems.
    Oh, how does the 6s compare with Samsung edge 6?
    http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=7242&idPhone2=7079

    The most important difference is, possibly, in their OSs.
  • ohreally
    ohreally Posts: 7,525 Forumite
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    grumbler wrote: »
    Is it a secret where are you going to buy it? If from Apple, then no problems.

    It'll either be Costco or Argos, does this make a difference?
    Don’t be a can’t, be a can.
  • OneADay
    OneADay Posts: 9,031 Forumite
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    If you buy "sim-free" (not on a contract), you should be able to switch to a different network of your choice as and when you want. That is my experience with a iphone 5s.

    If you buy it on contract, it will get locked to the network and you would have to put up with that network for the duration of the contract before being able to get it unlocked for free at end of contract.
  • ohreally
    ohreally Posts: 7,525 Forumite
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    OneADay wrote: »
    If you buy "sim-free"


    It will be. So she'll be fine to change/ swap sims?
    Don’t be a can’t, be a can.
  • OneADay
    OneADay Posts: 9,031 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ohreally wrote: »
    It will be. So she'll be fine to change/ swap sims?

    Don't take my word for it but that is my experience. I have gone from O2 to Three and then to Vodafone without any problem with sim-free purchased iphone 5s.

    For peace of mind, purchase it from Apple store and ask the question about not being locked to a network. And note also there is iPhone 7 coming soon I think, might be worth waiting for that than spending money on 6S.
  • OneADay wrote: »
    And note also there is iPhone 7 coming soon I think, might be worth waiting for that than spending money on 6S.

    Given that the 6S has only been out just over 2 months and they tend to be released roughly annually, it could be a long wait.
  • 20aday
    20aday Posts: 2,610 Forumite
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    If you elect to buy the iPhone 6s from Argos then it'll lock to the first network SIM inserted.

    I'm not sure if this is the case with Costco.

    As mentioned above either buy it directly from Apple OR John Lewis (because of their excellent After Sales Service/Guarantee) and because I also believe their stocked iPhones don't lock to the first network SIM.
    It's not your credit score that counts, it's your credit history. Any replies are my own personal opinion and not a representation of my employer.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
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    ohreally wrote: »
    It'll either be Costco or Argos, does this make a difference?
    The difference is that only when buying from Apple directly (possibly from JL too) you get a proper 24 months' warranty. Otherwise it's pathetic one year.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
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    edited 5 December 2015 at 11:35PM
    20aday wrote: »
    If you elect to buy the iPhone 6s from Argos then it'll lock to the first network SIM inserted.
    Are you sure?
    Q: does this phone lock to the first network sim installed?

    staff-icon.png

    2 months, 3 weeks ago
    Hi,

    The Sim Free Apple iPhone 5S 16GB Mobile Phone does not lock to the network of the first SIM inserted.
    http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3311246.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

    I CBA to check for 6S as I am sure it's the same.
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