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.
this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2025
14 points (88.9% liked)
Apple
19417 readers
38 users here now
Welcome
to the largest Apple community on Lemmy. This is the place where we talk about everything Apple, from iOS to the exciting upcoming Apple Vision Pro. Feel free to join the discussion!
Rules:
- No NSFW Content
- No Hate Speech or Personal Attacks
- No Ads / Spamming
Self promotion is only allowed in the pinned monthly thread
Communities of Interest:
Apple Hardware
Apple TV
Apple Watch
iPad
iPhone
Mac
Vintage Apple
Apple Software
iOS
iPadOS
macOS
tvOS
watchOS
Shortcuts
Xcode
Community banner courtesy of u/Antsomnia.
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Just beware that you have to purchase it outright and can’t use their 0% financing option as those require a carrier (probably footing the financing on the backend).
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.
FYI if you don’t activate the phone immediately at the store (or online) they charge an extra $30 fee.
That's scummy. I appreciate the heads up, I hadn't read that anywhere!
Yeah they call it a “carrier discount” but it’s really just a fee:
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.
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
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.
So a bad time to start chanting “One Of Us! One Of Us”, eh? ;)
All of the Android koolaid is out of my system now, I am fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem.
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.
You're right, I checked again and it was the financing option that forces me to lock in a carrier. Thanks!
I just went through the “get ready” process on the Apple Store app, and it allows for picking a carrier-free option.
Yep, I had selected the financing option which forces a carrier but selecting Buy lets you pick a carrier later. I edited my post, thanks