Even before the memory crunch hit, many smartphone buyers preferred to buy their handsets through carriers. Take the iPhone 17 series, for example. Financing it via AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon meant avoiding full retail price. Better yet, T-Mobile and Verizon devices used to ship unlocked. That era is officially over.
The iPhone 18 Pro will be locked to T-Mobile and Verizon
Apple's new unlocking policy. | Image by Apple
The iPhone 18 Pro will likely land in September and is pretty much guaranteed to cost more than the iPhone 17 Pro. According to some estimates, it will be between $200 and $300 more expensive. This will probably push even more people to take advantage of carrier deals.
The downside to that route is that carriers prevent financed handsets from being used on other networks while they are still being paid off. While T-Mobile and Verizon customers buying directly through Apple used to bypass this restriction, that loophole no longer exists.
Previously, only AT&T devices shipped locked. | Image by Apple
Only devices paid out of pocket will be unlocked
According to Apple's updated terms, iPhones financed through the T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan and Verizon Device Payment Program are now subject to the same locked-down rules as those of AT&T.
This means any iPhone secured through the Big Three will remain locked to its respective network until the final installment is paid off.
The writing was on the wall. | Image by @aaronp613 on X
This change was foretold by a "Finance Lock" string in the iOS 27 code that states that iPhones under contract can't be sold.
What's your next step after the change?
A necessary step?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) briefly considered imposing a uniform 60-day unlocking policy but ultimately bowed to carrier pressure. It now requires phones to be unlocked once all contractual obligations are met.
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Locking phones allows service providers to recoup the cost of discounted devices and prevents bad actors from reselling unpaid devices.
With smartphone prices increasing, preventing fraud and theft is more important than ever. Otherwise, telecom companies could incur huge losses.
Not just about the reselling
A locked device doesn't just bind you to a carrier for two to three years. It also comes with bloatware that often can't be uninstalled. On top of that, carriers pester you with notifications to install more apps that you don't need. It's an overall inferior experience.
While Apple doesn't allow bloatware, if it has agreed to lock devices, unwanted apps might be next.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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