The new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have been officially available worldwide. You can hit the store to get one or place the online order right now to avoid the crowd. While you can easily pay full price to get a factory unlocked iPhone 7 in other countries, there are some confusions in the US.
At the moment, there are 4 different model numbers of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in North America, which are A1660, A1661, A1778, and A1784. The model you receive will depend on your carrier. You can check out this post on the differences between iPhone 7 models for more details.
So exactly how you can purchase a factory unlocked iPhone 7/7 Plus?
Order Online
This is the easiest way to own an unlocked iPhone 7. Just head to Apple Store’s website, choose the version and place the order. However, if you are on AT&T, Verizon or Sprint, you are required to provide existing account information, including the wireless number, billing zip code, and SSN, even when you choose to pay full price. Foreigners won’t be able to purchase this phone because it still requires an existing account. The great new is that most of them are unlocked, either you pay full price, choose Apple iPhone upgrade program, or Apple iPhone installments.
In case you choose T-Mobile, you only have the option to pay full price to get the unlocked iPhone 7/7 Plus with T-Mobile SIM card inside. Unfortunately, the T-Mobile version is not compatible with Verizon and Sprint networks, and it also doesn’t work well in China.
The unlocked SIM-free version (A1660/A1661) is officially available since late October 2016, this is almost the same phone as the Verizon version. It is the most comprehensive model and you will be able to use it on almost any carrier in the world.
Buy iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Unlocked on Amazon
Walk into Apple Retail Store
While you can’t buy an AT&T, Sprint or Verizon iPhone 7/7 Plus online without an existing contract, you can do it at the physical Apple Store. Just walk into the store and ask to pay full price for the new iPhone 7.
The Verizon version (A1660/A1661) is preferred at the moment because it covers most cellular bands in the world. When I bought my iPhone, they didn’t require an existing plan to activate the phone, so I managed to bring home a sealed iPhone.
So, how did you buy your unlocked iPhone 7? Share with us in a comment below.
Juan says
I want to buy an iPhone 7 in new york for use in Ecuador, it will function if I buy a Verizon and pay the complete price?
Jeff says
No you will have to buy a1778
David says
Hi please help if I bought the ATT A1784 iPhone 7 plus and I want to use it in China with china mobile will I have a issue??
China mobile is GSM I think
Bob says
It works, but not in the best performance. China mobile uses a pretty rare 3G network, called TD-SCDMA. Only the A1660/1661 support these bands. If you buy A1784, it will work for China mobile’s 2G and 4G LTE networks, but no 3G at all. However, China mobile has been launched 4G in most of the metropolitan area of China, I think you can use it without problems.
[email protected] says
Okay awesome
J says
to buy an unlocked “SIM-free” brand new iPhone 7…………………………. for instance to use with any prepaid cell carrier service…………. don’t try to order online (you can’t), and don’t call Apple or an apple store (you will get wrong or mixed answers)……….
….simply, construct the iPhone you want on apple’s website as if you were going to buy it (*make sure you choose the appropriate model,,,,, one that can’t use CDMA networks {Intel chip} -or- the other that can use any network including CDMA {Qualcomm chip}{BETTER}…….choose the bottom “pay in full” option……….but under the “continue” button, click “Check Availability”……… find the phone you want at the nearest Apple store that has it in stock (you might have to wait days for it to be in stock)………..go to that apple store asap when it is in stock……walk in and register in the wait to be helped by a nice apple store employee………when helped, simply say *exactly which phone you would like and choose which carrier (aka model)….. don’t mention carrier service or what you use or anything else (not necessary)…………..pay for iPhone 7…….say thank you………………………………… you are welcome. enjoy
Next, for prepaid sim card services or sims in other countries::::::::::: back up your old iPhone to iTunes (or the Cloud? as well)……. pop the sim out of your new iphone and the sim out of your old iphone…… put the sim from your old iPhone into your new iPhone (or your new sim card)……. set up your new iPhone 7……..download backed up iPhone data/apps/info to your new iPhone 7……..activate your sim in your new iPhone with your existing service……………….continue to google any questions about customizing it and setting it up………….you might have to physically check off to download certain apps back in iTunes before they show up transferred onto your new phone……………continue to further set up your new iPhone……..and once again, enjoy
***I just did this myself. bought an iPhone 7 full price direct from the store after checking availability. switched sims the same day. StraightTalk prepaid sim into a Verizon model phone. activated it through Straighttalk website. downloaded my backup phone from iTunes. Everything worked perfectly.
Flurin says
If I do exactly that, can I use the Phone in Switzerland? Isn’t there a Simlock? this way I can basically buy an unlocked phone?
Iz says
I want to do the exact thing I want straight talk however I’d like to be in the Verizon network if possible, however the phone I got was at Best Buy the universally unlocked version it is the A1660 model, do you think I can get a straighttalk Verizon SIM card? Is just where I live Verizon has the best coverage.
Maria says
So the model A1660, either GSM or CDMA, will work in Colombia without problem? Or is it better to buy the AT&T / T-Mobile model (A1778)?
J Mendiwelson says
The A1660 is NOT, as of today, registered (“homologado”) with the relevant authority (CRC) in Colombia, so it is possible it cannot be activated with the local Carrier.
The A1778 IS registered (“homologado”) so I believe there should be no problem.
The difference is that the A1660 offers access to CDMA network and the A1778 does not!.
Still, Carriers in Colombia do not have CDMA network so it is no loss not having this network included. The A1778 should be fine.
If at a later date the A1660 is registered (“homologado”) by the authorities it should be fine but will not provide any additional benefit in Colombia; only if travelling to a country where CDMA is available.
Chetbaker46 says
Wich one is the best option to Colombia? thnks
Karthik says
A small doubt… The apple website asks to select one of the four carriers. But i am moving to india in last week of november. How do i get a (iphone 7 plus mat black) without having any carrier from the website. I am ready to pay full amount… Reply me sooon
Tuan Do says
Just buy the T-Mobile version.
Karthik says
But it actually comes with a sim???? Can i use any other sim card.. I am moving to India after 2 months. Willl it work in India??
Jay says
I have the exactly same case.. please tell me what you did regarding this..
Neel Gangrade says
DO NOT BUY T-MOBILE, If you want to buy iPhone 7 that works well in INDIA at all networks like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Jio, I would highly recommend you to buy VERIZON version. and pay full price (unlocked)
hope this helps for India people as well
Karthik says
People say to remove the T MOBILE sim and keep other sim.. But is it mandatory to activate the phone with tsim first or can be actvated with any local mobile carrier in india??
Devam says
If i can should buy iphone 7 plus verizon without contract india can working sim change Vodafone in india Possible?
Please help me
thank you
Faisal says
I need an iPhone 7 Plus that will work in Pakistan, will the Verizon (full payment) one work? Or should I just wait till late October as I can wait till start of December to buy one.
ammad says
have the same question?
Al says
Hi Faisal, any luck?
I can wait till 1st week of November to buy one. Need to get a factory unlocked one that’ll work in Pakistan.
Haris says
All the versions will work in Pakistan as most of the networks in Pakistan utilize the GSM bands which are covered by all the four carriers. Just make sure you get the unlocked version so that you can pop your sim in when you go to Pakistan.
Bogdan says
Will iphone 7 from verizon work in Romania?
Nebojsa Luzaic says
Yes ask for iPhone 7 + model number A1661 it can work on any career and anywhere in the world
Nebojsa Luzaic says
When you go on apple store website you will have a choice Verizon T-Mobile, At&T, Sprint and at the bottom of it you will have a sim free which means you can add your Career choice ask for iPhone 7+ model number a1661 as this phone u can use it anywhere with any career
kowshik says
if I buy ATT version and will I be able to use it in INDIA need help on it on a phase of buying it by today
Mandeep S Chahal says
that’s really a great knowledge. could you tell me that I bought A1661 model from MetroPCS , it it unlocked or not ?
Merly says
I want to buy 7/ 7plus unlocked, pay full price to use in Turkey and US
which model is better 1661 or 1784
should I buy t Mobile or Verizon????
Alper says
Merly buy A1778. We are facing problems with A1660/61 at least for right now.
Anton says
Sorry for another same question, but what type will work in russia A1660? I just dont know how to check it…. Please, reply soon
udaya says
I want to use I phone 7 in india best option is what buy on amazon
Clau30 says
Can someone tell me which version is fully working in Romania please?
Randy says
Either one will work fine. All of Europe is GSM.
jdeolive16 says
Just bought two weeks ago in a Best Buy store (US) a universal A1660, they told me it should work fine in Costa Rica and that it was unlocked (paid more for this), CR is where i live, when i got home I tried to put my sim car but i could not activate it. Than I investigated that iphone from retailers like best buy, amazon, target, etc., are tied to a US Reseller Flex Policy, which it means that I can only activate it with a sim card of a US carrier, and that depending of the carrier it could get locke to the first carrier sim card I put in the phone. My question is, can I order a prepaid sim from Verizon to Costa Rica , and even if dont get any signal, can I activate the phone??? Or how can I fix this, i dont want to travel back to the US and already paid almos $ US 867.0 for a black iphone 7 of 128 Gb. Please help me!
DeeJ says
i’m having the same problem at the moment.. did you find a solution?
D says
My brother send me unlock iphone 7 128 gb from usa.
When i activate in india requires billing zip code and social security code.
I entered it.
But i cannot activete it? Plz help
JIMMY says
Hey Everyone. I’m in the U.S. Apple is out of 7plus stock. But I did find at best buy the A1661 model. I bought one. Used my Pre-Paid T-Mobile when I activated the phone. But when I inserted my Egyptian Orange Carrier sim – It told me that it does not support it. I then returned the phone to Bestbuy and got my money back. Question: Is it because I activated it with the U.S T-Mobile sim card it automatically got locked to T-Mobile carrier?! And if so – Does that mean if I buy another Iphone7plus Universal Sim Free – And wait till I go to Egypt – Will it then work. Because that’s the first sim to be activated to the phone?! Thank you & Much regards and hopefully a reply : )
Mitesh says
Hi,
I bought an iphone 7Plus 256GB (full price unlocked) from an Apple store in the US. The model number mentioned on the box is A1661. While I’m yet to receive the phone, I was confused if A1661 supports Airtel India’s 4g LTE network which operates on TD 40 / 2300 MHz frequency? Although Apple’s website (http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/) mentions that A1661 supports 2300 MHz LTE frequency, they do no list Airtel in the supported list of carriers. Model A1784 has Airtel India as the supported carrier. I called both Airtel and Apple Support in India and they both confirmed that as long as phone supports 2300 MHz band it doesn’t matter what’s the model number of the phone.
Can someone please answer this question? I still have a day to return or exchange the phone as the phone is still in the US. Thanks in advance !!
Saurabh says
Hello Mitesh,
May I know if your iPhone model A1661 worked well on AirTel India’s 4g LTE networks? And displayed 4G or LTE at status bar.
I’m right now in Beijing, and going to buy an iPhone A1661 from Apple Store here at full price. The Apple guy here told me that the said model will work well in India since Band40 receiver is there and what I’ll be buying is an international unlocked version. Please tell me how it worked out in your case.
Saurabh
Ramesh says
Hi Mitesh,
I am in same situation as you were. Could you please tell if a1661 model is working fine with Airtel in Inda?
I am going to buy Sim free version from Apple site in US. From part number, I can see it is model a1661.
Thanks,
Ramesh
kumanan says
can i buy 1661 and put my indian sim der for activation
Rex says
Can i buy an iPhone 7 plus U.S version to use in Nigeria. Pls it’s very urgent, would be glad with a speedy reply.
Imran says
359164078973352 I want to factory unlock
Gabriela says
Can i use iphone 7 from usa model 1660 in Uk?
supreet singh says
Which model number of iphone 7 plus will be unlocked if I buy it from Dubai to use it in India?
Sky says
I upgraded to the iphone 7 plus model A1661 through Verizon, but I never opened it. Can I sell it on ebay and continue to use my existing phone?
Kathleen Miller says
My fiance wants to buy a mobile phone in Pakistan and be able to bring it with him when he moves to the US later this year. Can his new phone by purchased unlocked? If not, can it be unlocked by a provider here? If so, will the cost be prohibitive? Any info you can provide would be appreciated.
Acy says
Are Indian iPhone and South African iPhone same by band and network?
Izzy says
I want to buy an iPhone 7 to use it in venezuela, does the SIM free version works? Please help it’s urgent!!
Vikesh Chauhan says
I am from India and I am coming to USA on my tourist visa. Can I buy an iPhone 7 plus unlocked??
Nadia says
I would like to get an iPhone 7 Plus, which one should I get to be able to use it in Argentina? What should I do?
Brandi Avila says
Confused!!which model for the iPhone 7 Plus will work in USA on T-Mobile