You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

When will be iPhone 16 series global version available in stores?

I need to buy iPhone 16 plus for a family member who lives in another country. I want to purchase the phone from Usa. When will the global version be available without the country lock

Posted on Sep 19, 2024 1:24 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 19, 2024 1:36 PM

There is no "global version" of the iPhone. A given country's iPhone model may work in other countries, but the warranty is not international so official service may not be possible outside of the country in which the iPhone was originally sold. In addition, the iPhone 16 sold in the US will not have a physical SIM slot and not all countries have support for eSIMs by their carriers. The frequencies used by carriers also can differ from country to country.


It is strongly recommended that an iPhone be purchased only in the country in which the user lives.


Regards.

8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 19, 2024 1:36 PM in response to nafisa132

There is no "global version" of the iPhone. A given country's iPhone model may work in other countries, but the warranty is not international so official service may not be possible outside of the country in which the iPhone was originally sold. In addition, the iPhone 16 sold in the US will not have a physical SIM slot and not all countries have support for eSIMs by their carriers. The frequencies used by carriers also can differ from country to country.


It is strongly recommended that an iPhone be purchased only in the country in which the user lives.


Regards.

Sep 19, 2024 1:37 PM in response to nafisa132

There is no global version. iPhones are sold by region. If you buy an iPhone from the US, it will be manufactured for the US market. It will have NO warranty outside the US either. It's NEVER a good idea to purchase an iPhone in a different country from the country where the phone will be used. Do your family member a favor and send the money to them to purchase the phone where they live is the best advice we can offer.



Sep 19, 2024 4:14 PM in response to plus58

Um, it says right there that it will be unlocked. So I'm not sure what your question is?


In any case,  I strongly recommend not purchasing an iPhone outside of the country in which the intended recipient lives. The warranty on an iPhone is not international and so it would be quite possible to find that if she needed service she could not get it in her country. The carriers in her country may also not support eSIM, though that's easily checked.


Regards.

Sep 19, 2024 1:57 PM in response to lobsterghost1

hey mate, I know this is not the topic but not getting an answer from anyone - buying a Finance iPhone 16 Pro (eSIM) through T-Mobile on Apple site can it be used with any carrier later, for example: it will be sent to another country without previously unboxing it, so will be activated for the very first time in other country. keep in mind not purchasing at T-Mobile but directly at Apple site,... Thanks.

PS I live in US and I'm traveling to my daughter's bday in Latin America and I want to bring her this gift....

When will be iPhone 16 series global version available in stores?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.