Apple webstore, buying iPhone SE carrier vs no carr selection

[BarkingGhostar]

When I go onto the Apple website and select the Buy option to purchase online I reach a point I am asked to select a carrier or choose Buy without a carrier (SIM-free, Activate with any carrier later). I presume not selecting a carrier means you will be handed an unlocked phone as locking it to one carrier would create an obstacle if you choose another carrier later.

So, does by selecting a carrier mean it comes with a SIM card and a phone locked to that carrier, or just includes a SIM locked to that carrier? I experimented with going both routes on the Apple website and neither seems different in price. So, if selecting a carrier does it include a SIM or not?

 

[KentState]

It's a carrier specific phone, but they typically aren't carrier locked, but maybe limited on which bands work. I purchased an iPhone 8 Plus for my wife and just went with the unlocked one.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Sim free iPhones are the worldwide versions that have much more "radios" inside it! Carrier versions are limited to the carrier brand network. You will be able to use your sim free iPhone around the world while the carrier limited iPhone is tailor to be limited to the particular carrier's radios. In the U.S., you can use the sim free iPhones on any major U.S. Carriers without any problems since they have all their radios and more inside.