SIM-free iPhone XR launches in the US earlier than usual

As of today, customers in the United States can get a brand spanking new iPhone XR, fully unlocked and unassociated with any carrier, by purchasing a full-price SIM-free variant that’s now available from Apple retail and online stores, as well as from wireless carriers.

SIM-free iPhones are paid upfront and don’t require a wireless service contract.

In many parts of the world, iPhones are sold both subsidized or SIM-free, with SIM-free variants usually available from day one. In the US, SIM-free models are normally introduced a few months into a new iPhone launch. The odd exceptions: the new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max which Apple made available SIM-free in the US from launch day.

SIM-free iPhone XR works with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and other carriers. If you’re buying your SIM-free XR from Apple, you can select the in-store pickup option. The phone ships without a SIM card preinstalled, allowing it to be activated on any carrier’s network.

Purchasing a SIM-free iPhone XR online requires entering account details for your carrier unless you have chosen a T-Mobile edition. On the downside, however, T-Mobile’s iPhone XR is GSM-only so keep that in mind if you think you might switch to Verizon or Sprint down the road.

The colorful handset comes in five distinct finishes: White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Coral and (PRODUCT)RED. iPhone XR starts at $749 for the 64GB edition. The 12GB and 256GB versions are priced at $799 and $899, respectively.