Hate Being Tied to a Contract? Unlocked iPhone 7 Models Are Available Now
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Apple has now started offering unlocked, SIM card-free versions of its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus on its U.S. online store.
Cupertino offered similar SIM-free versions of its last flagship, too, and it’s still the best option for users who don’t want to their phone to be attached to a two-year carrier contract. The unlocked iPhone devices will support both CDMA and GSM networks, meaning you can take your phone to any carrier you want by inserting that carrier’s nano SIM card into the device.
The downside, of course, is that you’ll pay full price for each device, instead of being able to pay it off monthly through a carrier’s contract plan — although Apple currently does offer up to 18 months of special financing. Right now, the iPhone 7 starts at $649, and the iPhone 7 Plus retails for $769 — with prices going up for larger storage options.
And, thanks to the iPhone’s high demand, how long you’ll have to wait to get your shiny new device depends largely on which model and color you want. For example, SIM-free versions of most iPhone 7 options will reach your doorstep in about 1 to 3 business days — with the exception of the Jet Black model, which, because it sold out last month, will take 3 to 5 weeks to ship.
The situation only gets worse for the iPhone 7 Plus. Most colors will ship in 3 to 4 weeks for the larger iPhone variant. And if you want a Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus, you’ll be waiting 6 to 8 weeks for it to ship to you, according to Apple. To see the currently available color and storage options of SIM-free iPhones for yourself, just head over to Apple’s website.
