All articles tagged with #carriers
Apple's iPhone Upgrade program requires enrolling the device with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon—driven by exclusive carrier deals and risk controls with those major partners; the iPhone remains unlocked and can be switched, but prepaid plans are not allowed. Gruber's post on Daring Fireball offers the explanation and notes it's part of a strategy to motivate carriers and curb fraud.
CENTCOM says Iran strikes continue with a developing blockade: more than 20 U.S. Navy ships on station and three carrier groups deployed (Abraham Lincoln, George H.W. Bush, Boxer), while George Washington operates in the Pacific and RIMPAC 2026 drills proceed.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone Ultra is rumored to use a liquid-metal hinge, with prototypes shipped to carriers for testing; mass production is expected to begin in July and a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, featuring a 7.8-inch inner display, 5.5-inch cover, A20 chip, C2 modem, Touch ID, two rear cameras, and about $2,000.
A former Pentagon official says the United States has positioned forces in the Middle East for a sustained, highly kinetic campaign against Iran if ordered, highlighting the expanded carrier presence (Ford and Lincoln), more destroyers and air assets, and a posture aimed at deterrence and defense of allies while indirect talks with Tehran continue in Oman.
The article highlights the best Cyber Monday phone deals, including significant discounts on flagship models like Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 10, and OnePlus 13, with various carrier promotions and limited-time offers, emphasizing the importance of reading fine print and considering tested, recommended products for substantial savings.
The article advises T-Mobile and Verizon customers to consider buying the iPhone 17 directly from Apple to get unlocked devices, avoiding carrier restrictions and lock-in policies, especially since carriers like T-Mobile enforce long-term locking and penalties for early payments. It also highlights various pre-order deals available through carriers like AT&T, which offer significant discounts with trade-ins and qualifying plans.
Cellphone users in the US are experiencing worsening reception levels, with more dropped calls, texts, and data in 2023 compared to previous years. Major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T have all reported worse scores. The problem stems from a combination of factors, including insufficient cell towers to meet the growing demand and external factors like weather and smoke from wildfires. Carriers are working to build more cell towers and acquire larger spectrums of frequencies to improve coverage. However, some areas are facing pushback from residents who oppose the construction of new cell towers. In the meantime, users can keep their phone software updated and check their cell plans to ensure optimal service.
The author expresses excitement for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and highlights several new features that make it an appealing upgrade. However, due to the high price and preference for purchasing phones without carrier contracts, the author is hesitant to upgrade from their iPhone 14 Pro. The article suggests that carriers may offer significant deals to attract customers, potentially making the upgrade more enticing. The author concludes that if they can trade in their current device for a good value and secure a deal before the release of the iPhone 16, they may consider upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro.
Apple is expected to increase the price of the iPhone 15, with the Pro and Pro Max models being more expensive than their predecessors. However, carriers in the US are anticipated to offer aggressive promotional deals and discounts to attract high-value customers. The decline in smartphone shipments and lower upgrade rates present an opportunity for carriers to capitalize on the iPhone 15 launch. Apple's loyal user base and carrier deals may help mitigate the impact of changing consumer spending habits, but demand is still expected to be affected. Additionally, Apple plans to manufacture 77 million iPhone 15 units this year, down from its initial target of 83 million units.
Amazon is reportedly in talks with US-based carriers to offer cheap or free phone service to Prime subscribers, with negotiations ongoing for about six to eight weeks. Talks have included Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish Network, but details on what Amazon's service might look like are still unknown. This could be a potentially interesting offer for Amazon customers, but it would require a further commitment to Amazon.
Amazon is reportedly in talks with major US carriers to offer low-cost phone service to Prime customers, potentially for as little as $10 a month or even for free. The move could inspire customer loyalty and make it harder for customers to cancel their Prime subscription. However, it's unclear what customers might be giving up if they opt to purchase cell service through Amazon, as MVNOs often have limits on data speed and capped limits, access to 5G spectrum, tethering, and streaming video quality. Amazon has not confirmed the plans.
Best Buy now sells unlocked iPhones in the U.S., but only older models are available. The unlocked iPhones are in brand new condition and can be used with a wide variety of carriers. Best Buy already sold iPhones locked to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and availability of unlocked models will give customers more flexibility. Best Buy is not carrying unlocked iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro models at this time.
The FCC has adopted new rules to reduce the number of scam texts Americans receive, requiring carriers to block texts from invalid, unallocated, or unused numbers, as well as numbers that the subscriber has self-identified as never sending text messages. The FCC also proposed requiring providers to block texts from entities cited as illegal robotexters and clarifying that Do-Not-Call Registry protections apply to text messaging. The move comes as complaints about scam texts have grown more than 500% from 2015 to 2022, and robotexts/scam texts are more of a threat to consumers than scam calls.
The FCC has made its first rule to block scam robotexts official, requiring carriers to block messages that are likely to be illegal and closing a loophole that allows scammers to dodge Do-Not-Call Registry protections. The rule targets text messages from numbers that are unlikely to transmit text messages and hopes to close the lead generator loophole. While these kinds of robotexts already fall under the Telephone Consumer Protection act, the new rules will give carriers more tools to help them actively block scammers.
Apple and carriers are encouraging customers to trade in their old iPhones for new ones, as well as promoting recycling programs to reduce electronic waste. The companies benefit from the trade-ins by reselling refurbished devices or recycling the materials, while customers can receive discounts on new devices.