Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now?

Most people in the US purchase iPhones from carriers, which means the devices are locked to that network. If you bought an iPhone from Verizon, that means you can’t easily switch to another carrier without breaking a contract and paying extra fees. It also poses headaches for travelers who want to use international SIM cards when traveling.

The easier approach is to buy directly from Apple, though there are some things you should know:

Connect to any carrier later: Choose this option for the most hassle-free experience. You get an unlocked iPhone, and then all you need to do is transfer the SIM card from your old iPhone to the new one to get started. This might be painless, though you may need to contact your carrier if the iPhone can’t complete the eSIM transfer as it’s a carrier-specific feature. Apple hasn’t included a SIM tray since 2022’s iPhone 14.

Choose a carrier: If you choose a carrier through Apple.com, you will get an unlocked iPhone no matter which carrier you choose. The downside is that Apple doesn’t have the same offers as the carriers, so you may lose out on a deal. However, carrier offers often require new lines, trade-ins, or an upgraded plan, and the savings come in the form of bill credits, so these deals aren’t as amazing as they may seem.

Finance: You can finance your iPhone through Apple either with Apple Card monthly installments, if you have an Apple credit card, or as Apple iPhone Payments. You need to choose a carrier here, but Apple confirmed these devices are all unlocked. You have to fill out a credit application to see if you qualify. If you opt to finance through a carrier on Apple.com, only the T-Mobile and Verizon models will be unlocked. The AT&T and Boost Mobile options are locked iPhones, so it’s no different from buying it on an installment plan directly from those carriers.

iPhone Upgrade Program: Buying directly from Apple also nets you access to the iPhone Upgrade Program. Is it worth it? Broadly speaking, no. Most people do not need to upgrade to a new iPhone every single year. It’s expensive, though it does include two years of the company’s AppleCare+ protection plan. If you really want to get the latest iPhone every year, then this program makes more sense, but it’s still expensive.