After a month of its release, Apple has finally commenced selling SIM-free iPhone 7 series in US.
Earlier, Apple fans had to buy the iPhone 7 series by signing a deal with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and others, which offer 24-months contract with prices starting at $21.67 for 4.7-inch iPhone 7 (32GB) and goes up to $32.34 for the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus (256GB).
Now, they can grab the Apple iPhones without contracts, but have to shell out full amount of the device at the time of buying. It ranges from $649 for iPhone 7 (32GB) to $969 for the iPhone 7 Plus (256GB).
If you are strapped for cash, Apple has also introduced a novel upgrade plan. It is one of the best ways to buy the new iPhone 7 series, as the company offers value added service-- Apple Care+, which no carrier network companies' plans can match this lucrative deal.
If you buy the new iPhone 7 series via Apple device upgrade plan, you will not be tied to any single carrier and go through multiyear service contract as such. You can choose any network carrier you want and once your new iPhone gets activated, it will always remain unlocked.
Furthermore, this upgrade plan also includes free Apple Care+ support worth $129 free. Users can avail benefits such as two years of hardware repairs, software support, and coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage.
[Note: With each appointment, Apple store will charge a service fee of $29 for screen damage or $99 for any other damage, plus applicable tax]
Also read: iPhone 7 buying guide: Which is better - Apple iPhone upgrade plan or carrier networks' contract?
The best part is that users can spread the cost of new iPhone over 24 months. And they can also upgrade to a new iPhone after just six months, provided they have made at least 12 payments. If eligible, they can just trade in their current iPhone and start a new plan without any hassle.
[Note: After 12 months, users will be automatically become eligible for new iPhone upgrade]
| Models | Models | Price (unlocked) | Price (paid in installments for 24 months) |
| Apple iPhone 7 | 32GB | $649 | $32.41 |
| 128GB | $749 | $36.58 | |
| 256GB | $849 | $40.75 | |
| Apple iPhone 7 Plus | 32GB | $769 | $37.41 |
| 128GB | $869 | $41.58 | |
| 256GB | $969 | $45.75 |
Another option is to go for Apple trade-in plan. With this, consumers who like to buy the new iPhone in exchange for their old phone, they stand a chance to get up to $250 discount. They can use that credit to lower the full cost of a new iPhone or to reduce the monthly payments with their carrier. [Readers can check their current phone's exchange value, HERE]
Also read: Apple iPhone 7 v iPhone 6S series: What's changed?
Key specifications of Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
| Models | Apple iPhone 7 | Apple iPhone 7 Plus |
| Display | 4.7-inch (diagonal) LED‑backlit widescreen with Retina HD (1334x750p) resolution
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5.5-inch (diagonal) LED‑backlit widescreen with Retina HD (1080x1920p) resolution
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| OS | Apple iOS v10 | Apple iOS v10 |
| Processor | 64-bit architecture-based A10 Fusion chip with M10 motion coprocessor(It has a 64-bit 4-core. Dual-core processors which is 40 percent faster than the A9. Other two cores are "high efficiency" and use 1/5 power to save batter life of the device and graphics processor is 50 percent faster than the A9 CPU) | 64-bit architecture-based A10 Fusion chip with M10 motion coprocessor(It has a 64-bit 4-core. Dual-core processors which is 40 percent faster than the A9. Other two cores are "high efficiency" and use 1/5 power to save batter life of the device and graphics processor is 50 percent faster than the A9 CPU) |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB/128GB/256GB | 32GB/128GB/256GB |
| Camera |
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| Additional camera features |
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| Battery | Talk time (wireless):
Standby:
Internet use:
Wireless video playback:
Wireless audio playback:
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Talk time (wireless):
Standby:
Internet use:
Wireless video playback:
Wireless audio playback:
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| Network | 4G-LTE | 4G-LTE |
| Add-ons | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO), Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology NFC, Near Field Communication, Assisted GPS and GLONASS, Digital compass |
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO), Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology NFC, Near Field Communication, Assisted GPS and GLONASS, Digital compass |
| Dimensions | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 138g | 188g |
| Colours | Jet Black (exclusive to 12GB/256GB), Black, Gold, Rose Gold and Silver | Jet Black (exclusive to 12GB/256GB), Black, Gold, Rose Gold and Silver |
