TastehWaffleZSep 10, 2025

Is it possible to buy the iPhone 17 without a contact?

https://lemmy.world/post/35719748

Is it possible to buy the iPhone 17 without a contract? - Lemmy.World

I despise being on a contract. I heard that the new iPhones are all going to have eSims so it should be easy to hang them unlocked but when I looked at the preorder it made me choose a carrier. I’d like to have Google Fi, does picking one of the carriers lock me into a contract?

Show threadBombOmOmSep 10, 2025
Pick the phone up directly from the manufacturer (Apple in this case), you won’t have a contract with your cell provider for the phone; you will just own the phone outright.
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Show threadTastehWaffleZ
Thank you! This will be the first Apple product I’ve bought and I’ve never gone to an Apple store, I wasn’t sure if they’d have the same policy in store.
Sep 10, 2025 at 3:44pmWeb
Show threadathairmorSep 10, 2025

Apple hasn’t required carrier contract in a long time.

You can buy an unlocked phone online or in the store. Just buy directly from Apple. Some third party retailers only sell carrier locked phones.

Show threadTastehWaffleZSep 10, 2025
You’re right, I checked again and it was the financing option that forces me to lock in a carrier. Thanks!
Show threadnocturneSep 10, 2025
I had an iPhone 3, then went android until I got an iPhone 14 two years ago. I drove the 85 miles to one so I could hold it in my hand and see which version I wanted. For me the drive was well worth IT and keeps e from thinking what if that other model would have fit better.
Show threadByteMeSep 10, 2025
You just can’t beat shop experience. You go there, all excited, look around the store, look at the phones, choose yours, discuss with the experts there, get it in a back, go home all excited. It’s just better than online
Show threadnocturneSep 10, 2025
Having been an Android guy for so long I was worried about going into the shop and being surrounded by smug Apple users, but it really was pleasant.
Show threadTryingSomethingNewSep 10, 2025
So a bad time to start chanting “One Of Us! One Of Us”, eh? ;)
Show threadnocturneSep 10, 2025
All of the Android koolaid is out of my system now, I am fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem.
Show threadgraySep 10, 2025
FYI if you don’t activate the phone immediately at the store (or online) they charge an extra $30 fee.
Show threadTastehWaffleZSep 10, 2025
That’s scummy. I appreciate the heads up, I hadn’t read that anywhere!
Show threadgraySep 10, 2025

Yeah they call it a “carrier discount” but it’s really just a fee:

Show threadNutinButNetSep 15, 2025
I use the Apple Credit card and finance through Apple. The benefit is that I can pay as I go (and it’s 0% interest on Apple products) and the phone is effectively unlocked for any carrier you want.