Skip to main content

Apple to start offering unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from today – report

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Digital Trends
Apple will reportedly begin selling fully unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets in the U.S. from today, according to sources that spoke to 9to5Mac. The expected move comes nearly four months after the phones hit the market.

At the moment, Apple sells the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in the U.S. through either a carrier contract or unlocked with T-Mobile.

The introduction of the unlocked, SIM-free models will allow users to operate their Apple handset across the globe on any supported carrier through the use of their own SIM card.

No official announcement has come from Apple at the time of writing, though pricing of the phones is expected to be the same as T-Mobile’s, ie. from $649 to $849 for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, and from $749 to $949 for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.

Prices vary according to the amount of internal storage, which for this latest model includes 16, 64, or 128GB options, with Apple this time refraining from offering a 32GB version. Interested consumers should be able to pick up the handset at Apple’s brick-and-mortar stores as well as from its online store.

9to5Mac points out in its report that the tech giant began offering unlocked iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s models around two months after their respective launches in 2012 and 2013, indicating the company is “running a little behind the pattern” with the latest iteration of its handset.

An unlocked, SIM-free version of the two iPhone 6 models is already available to Apple customers in a number of other countries, with the U.S. looking like it’s going to join the club today.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Best iPhone 15 deals: How to get Apple’s latest iPhone for free
The display on a green iPhone 15.

The iPhone 15 is Apple’s current flagship phone, and it’s also one of its most popular phones. It’s come storming out of the gate since its release and has skyrocketed to make our ranks of the best phones. Its popularity can make it difficult to find iPhone 15 deals, but there are some out there. We’ve rounded up the best iPhone 15 deals going on right now, and while most of them entail trading in a device for savings, trade-in value is very high and could land you a free iPhone 15 if you’re trading in the right device. We’ve got all of those details below, so read onward and start saving on a new Apple iPhone 15.
Today's best iPhone 15 deals

: Get up to $830 in savings when you trade in a similar device. Also included is 3 free months of Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, and 4 free months of Apple Arcade.
: Save up to $830 with device trade-in and inclusion of Verizon Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plans.
: Save up to $830 via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a line on a qualifying plan and trade in an eligible device.
: Save up to $700 when you trade in an eligible device and commit to an AT&T Unlimited plan of more than $76 per month.

Read more
Why you should buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max instead of the iPhone 15 Pro
Someone holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max outside on a patio, showing the back of the Natural Titanium color.

If you want the best iPhone money can buy in 2024, you have two options: the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. They have the same chipset, similar display technology, nearly identical cameras, etc. It's a really close battle, save for the fact that the iPhone 15 Pro is $200 cheaper.

It might be tempting to save some cash and choose the iPhone 15 Pro, but I recommend you splurge for the larger (and more expensive) iPhone 15 Pro Max. Why? Let me explain.
It's a big iPhone you won't hate using

Read more
This one thing could make iOS 18 the best iPhone update in years
The Home Screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple’s WWDC 2024 is just a couple of months away. As with every WWDC, we’ll see what Apple has in store for the next generation of software across its hardware portfolio, including the iPhone with iOS 18.

Rumors have been swirling about iOS 18 and how it will be “one of the biggest updates yet.” We know some features like RCS support in Messages are definitely coming, with other whispers of big home screen customization changes and more.

Read more