Apple is now making available unlocked iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus handsets in the United States. The Cupertino-based company said the SIM-free versions of the latest models will work with all U.S. networks. The starting price of the iPhone 7 is $649, while that of the larger iPhone 7 Plus is $769.
Unlocked versions now available in the U.S.
Apple is offering unlocked devices in the full ranges of iPhone 7 colors and storage capacities on its online store, and there is no option for in-store pickup as yet. It appears as if stock is low, and customers can expect delivery in three to four weeks for most models, while the jet black version will take six to eight weeks for delivery, says The Verge. This timing will fall once the unlocked phones are made available in Apple’s retail stores as well.
Apple released the iPhone 7 about a month ago, but it took too much time for the unlocked model to become available in the U.S. For the past few weeks, Apple’s online stores in the U.K., Australia and Canada have been selling SIM-free versions of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Since the handsets work on both CDMA and GSM networks, it is believed that they are unlocked variants of the models sold through Verizon and Sprint, notes Apple Insider. Apple iPhone’s multi-band LTE radio makes it possible to offer international roaming support.
“The SIM-free iPhone will work with any carrier. An iPhone activated on Sprint or Verizon Wireless, and the SIM-free iPhone, also have the ability to roam internationally on GSM networks,” the company states.
Apple has published a full list of supported networks categorized by country on its website.
Is Apple’s iPhone 7 a success or failure?
Apple will release its earnings in about two weeks’ time, and analysts are still not very sure about how successful the iPhone 7 has been. People have varying opinions. Some believe it’s a huge success, while others believe it to be a flop. Very little is actually known about new iPhone’s sales, and there were two conflicting reports regarding this.
The first report came from Nikkei Asian Review (NAR), claiming weak demand for the new iPhone. The report cited disappointing iPhone component sales as the reason. NAR specifically noted that the majority of the iPhone component suppliers are witnessing an overall sales decline in comparison to the same quarter a year ago.
Another report from Reuters claimed that the iPhone 7 is wildly successful. The report used revenue forecasts from Apple partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).
