A Warning to all Iphone 4 Simfree owners
Discussion
If you bought your Iphone 4 simfree direct from the Apple website and you happen to need a replacement don't go to an Apple store as if they replace your phone it will be locked to the network sim that you are using.
If you require a replacement for whatever reason contact Apple directly as stores cannot sell simfree phones and any replacements will be locked!
I am facing this problem after Brent Cross replaced my handset with a Vodafone locked one. I went back and told them this so they replaced it again with another handset and promised me this was simfree as it was linked to my initial serial number phone but it wasnt!!
I am now going mad talking to various people at Apple UK to try and have this phone unlocked as per my original simfree handset.
The whole thing is a PITA !!!
If you require a replacement for whatever reason contact Apple directly as stores cannot sell simfree phones and any replacements will be locked!
I am facing this problem after Brent Cross replaced my handset with a Vodafone locked one. I went back and told them this so they replaced it again with another handset and promised me this was simfree as it was linked to my initial serial number phone but it wasnt!!
I am now going mad talking to various people at Apple UK to try and have this phone unlocked as per my original simfree handset.
The whole thing is a PITA !!!
I would go to an alternative network provider high street shop and try your phone with another microsim mate! I have been told by the head of Apple UK marketing that Apple Stores cannot sell unlocked simfree Iphones and that only one's bought from the Apple Website are totally Simfree.
This whole simfree thing is apparently a major cock-up on Apple's part! Some stores were initially in error selling simfree phones but that was stopped on June 25th.
This whole simfree thing is apparently a major cock-up on Apple's part! Some stores were initially in error selling simfree phones but that was stopped on June 25th.
Edited by 6BMW on Tuesday 6th July 14:12
6BMW said:
It's another Apple cock up !
Surely not?Perhaps they're too busy saving the world and being generally altruistic and giving.
Either that or too busy creating brand new things that the world has never seen before.
Or perhaps they're too busy repackaging s
t, stuffing it in posh boxes and exploiting chinese workers.Who knows.
6BMW said:
I have been told by the head of Apple UK marketing that Apple Stores cannot sell unlocked simfree Iphones and that only one's bought from the Apple Website are totally Simfree.
This whole simfree thing is apparently a major cock-up on Apple's part! Some stores were initially in error selling simfree phones but that was stopped on June 25th.
The Apple store on Regent Street were selling SIM free 3GS's, not locked and (obviously usable on any network). Are you saying they no longer do this?This whole simfree thing is apparently a major cock-up on Apple's part! Some stores were initially in error selling simfree phones but that was stopped on June 25th.
Edited by NDA on Tuesday 6th July 15:00
Sounds like Apple need to be spoken to about the legitimacy of this - you buy a unlocked SIM phone (for a premium price) and then it fails so you get a replacement. Since they are replacing the original one under warranty, they must replace like-for-like or under agreement with the customer.
Replacing it with a SIM locked phone (less commercial value and cheaper / subsidized) is not a direct replacement and hence not quite legal. They offered to replace the phone and it must be done on a like for like basis - replacing it with a different configuration or inferior model is not the same.
Seems that this is wrong and they need to change it quickly (which they can do).
Replacing it with a SIM locked phone (less commercial value and cheaper / subsidized) is not a direct replacement and hence not quite legal. They offered to replace the phone and it must be done on a like for like basis - replacing it with a different configuration or inferior model is not the same.
Seems that this is wrong and they need to change it quickly (which they can do).
Will keep you guys posted - as of now it seems its Apple Brent Cross v Apple Direct and I'm piggy in the middle 
They keep passing the blame for this to each other but now I've got this head of marketing involved it should help get a result soon I hope..
Not what I expected after spending £600 and then £139 on a replacement which is now the culprit (due to broken screen...see seperate topic on that one!)......
Seems like I'm not alone:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=...
They keep passing the blame for this to each other but now I've got this head of marketing involved it should help get a result soon I hope..
Not what I expected after spending £600 and then £139 on a replacement which is now the culprit (due to broken screen...see seperate topic on that one!)......
Seems like I'm not alone:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=...
Edited by 6BMW on Tuesday 6th July 15:46
6BMW said:
Read through that lot. Very interesting and a good heads up from you.... thanks.Ah cock.
So I may have to end up taking back my perfectly good iphone 4 (after the first one was swapped) that I bought in store under the extended 30 days return policy and buy it again online to make sure it is unlocked in the fullest sense of the word.
That being said it does seem that AppleCare can unlock remotely. Worth a ring in the morning, and I have a Genius appointment tomorrow.
I must say I'm more and more tempted to go sod this and pick up a N1 or the Mk2 Droid. Then again, I won't as I can't stand the AMOLED screen and I have too many (i.e. too much invested in) apps.
So I may have to end up taking back my perfectly good iphone 4 (after the first one was swapped) that I bought in store under the extended 30 days return policy and buy it again online to make sure it is unlocked in the fullest sense of the word.
That being said it does seem that AppleCare can unlock remotely. Worth a ring in the morning, and I have a Genius appointment tomorrow.
I must say I'm more and more tempted to go sod this and pick up a N1 or the Mk2 Droid. Then again, I won't as I can't stand the AMOLED screen and I have too many (i.e. too much invested in) apps.
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