Unlocked iPhone Apple Card Financing

I also would use MVNO networks (Mint and Visible are preferred). With the new limitation on activation with the big 3, do we know if this is strictly post-paid or is pre-paid acceptable? Maybe even starting post-paid if necessary and then switching to prepaid? I don't think this would be a new policy, but curious if we have heard of others making a pre-paid switch under the big 3 financing options with Apple. T-Mobile now has Connect by T-Mobile (seems more directly T-Mobile unlike Metro) and they have very similar pricing compared to Mint (not surprising with the recent Mint acquisition). This could be one alternative to paying the higher big 3 prices while still getting to finance via Apple. Additionally, I know Visible works with Affirm and I had 0% for 36 months on my iPhone 14 Pro - another great option if Verizon coverage works for you AND Visible devices are unlockable after 60 days of service (even when financed w/Affirm).

I’m just venting I guess. I want there to be a way to buy a new iPhone 15 unlocked with monthly payments and 0% interest. I was reading some of the other options in this thread. I guess one possibility would be to get a new credit card with an introductory 0% apr. That seems annoying though. It’s hard saving up $1200+ for a new phone. I get up to like $400 or $500 and find something else to spend it on. 😟

Greedy capitalists coalescing against people! Collusion! Greedy, hungry! Always thirsty! They will not end up well! For a quick profit betraying trust of the people who have been supportive and colluding with the big three!!! Apple, you will pay for this ! I am not trading my $25 monthly Mint Mobile for a $60 Verizon!!! Forget it!!! Google Pixel or Samsung this coming year

It’s the only reason to apply for Apple Card for me. With it gone! they just lost another yearly customer.

also I think Apple did this because big three pushed them into this!! The big three lost a lot of business because of this card and now Apple caved!!!

How disappointing! I need to purchase an iPad and iPhone to use in Europe so the phone must be unlocked but too expensive to do it without financing through apple card. Looks like Apple is trying to lower their sales numbers from people who can't purchase in one payment.

Agree! This was a significant reason for getting the Apple Card. And since use the iPhone out of country, must purchase an unlocked iPhone. This was not a problem initially with the Apple Card. How can they change this option after having the account with terms and conditions you signed up with? Did I not read recently that Goldman Sachs and Apple are parting way? Perhaps this significant option will be reinstated down the road?

Seth

Why is Apple ending unlocked iPhone apple Card financing on August 15th? This was a big perk for signing up for the Apple Card. I usually finance my phone through a carrier anyways, but what happens if my phone is lost or stolen and I don't have the financial means to up front buy a new one? Please consider keeping the option to finace an unlocked iphone through the Apple Card for customer satisfaction.

pkmk1996 wrote:

Why is Apple ending unlocked iPhone apple Card financing on August 15th?

They are not "ending it on August 15th". It has already been ended, back on August 15th of 2023.

I do not believe Apple has ever stated why.

This was a big perk for signing up for the Apple Card. I usually finance my phone through a carrier anyways, but what happens if my phone is lost or stolen and I don't have the financial means to up front buy a new one? Please consider keeping the option to finace an unlocked iphone through the Apple Card for customer satisfaction.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. However, workarounds have been provided earlier in this thread.

pkmk1996 wrote:

Why is Apple ending unlocked iPhone apple Card financing on August 15th? This was a big perk for signing up for the Apple Card. I usually finance my phone through a carrier anyways, but what happens if my phone is lost or stolen and I don't have the financial means to up front buy a new one? Please consider keeping the option to finace an unlocked iphone through the Apple Card for customer satisfaction.

The option to finance an iPhone with the Apple Card did not go anywhere.

You can still finance an iPhone using Apple Card Monthly Installments.

You are required to choose a carrier (Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile) during purchase and provide an active phone line with them. (does not need to be yours specifically)

Once you get the iPhone, you can bypass the setup with the chosen carrier and use an eSim from any carrier. T-Mobile seems to be the easiest one to do this with as explained by Jeff Donald in previous replies in this very thread. Just tap on the continue button 3 times when setting up the iPhone and it will let you complete setup and add your own plan without requiring the plan with the selected carrier.

WE GET YOUR Answers APPLE! Yes, you still have Apple financing on iPhones, but you are missing the picture we are telling you!! ALL OF US WHO ARE COMPLAINING all have different carriers like Mint etc! We do not want to be FORCED. To use one of the big 3 carriers that you have obviously made deals with?!!! You should have factored in that most of your iPhone owners use a different carrier than the one you want to force us to use just to finance your iPhones! Again, a real shame, might as well join the other companies who are forgetting the little people who just want a choice! And now I have 3 iPhones up that we need new phones because they are 5 years old, I use MINT. And I cannot afford to purchase 3 iPhones outright and I am not willing to change services from my $180 a year service! Which actually is a t mobile company now anyways but you still will not allow us financing on your Apple Card using other than your 3 carriers! Shame on you, and because of this you will lose a fortune in past customers who financed unlocked iPhones with no carrier choice!! Bad financial move on your part! We are your biggest customers!! Too bad because if everyone else is like me we like the iPhones, but unwilling to change networks! So add more networks for all of us! Or go back to only unlocked phones no carrier!

Said it perfectly!! Dodging our questions, answering us with what our whole complaint is about!! Forcing us to try to change carriers!! NO THANK YOU ! I’ll keep my carrier and cone time for my families new phones, tons of choices besides iPhone!!! Unless you retract this change!!! And fast, bad business !! For us little people and bad for you in the end!! Even other manufactures are offering 0% financing on unlocked phones just because Apple made this change!!

Okay Jeff

While I appreciate your workaround--the issue itself still stands.

Consumers shouldn't be required to perform workarounds and Apple should provide some context as to why they would just (seemingly) randomly do something like this and ensure it was timed right before iPhone 15 launched. Otherwise, people are left to guess as to what the reason is. Right now, the prevailing theory is that somehow, the "Big Three" are involved and basically influencing business decisions at Apple. This has pretty terrible optics.

It should be noted that none of their other products have this issue. I can buy a souped-up MacBook Pro for 4x the amount of money as my iPhone and still finance it on the card--which to me, kinda rules out any "loss" based reason and lends even more credence to the theory of the "Big Three" being involved when they arguably shouldn't be.

well said.

I also don't see how the "workaround" (which IS what is being suggested, not just my opinion..sheesh) does what you say it does, Jeff.

If I go through a dummy order right now, it will NOT allow me to choose ACMI unless I pick a carrier.

I will keep my Apple card but it's going into a sock drawer. I will use a different card from now on--one that provides actual purchase, return and additional warranty protection as well as points from my chosen card ecosystem. So at least for myself, I've solved the issue.

But my point stands. This was a dumb move and the lack of transparency on this move smacks of the arrogance this brand has been known for. I was really hoping that Tim would stop doing this Jobs-like BS. But whatever.

You can still buy a phone through the Apple Installment Plan. Just go through the purchase process and select a carrier. Once you get home with your phone, contact your carrier and request an e-sim for your new phone.

Totally agree. At this point I will not be buying a new iPhone. I have typically upgraded every other year using the interest free financing. I find it discriminatory that you can only get it if you are signed up with the big three.