Apple Inc. will start selling SIM free iPhone 6 and 6s models in the United States on Tuesday, according to a report from 9to5Mac. 

Apple currently sells iPhones with a T-Mobile SIM, although notably when not signed to a contract they are sold unlocked, and users can simply swap out the SIM card for their provider of choice. Instead users will now be able to purchase an iPhone without a SIM, not exactly revolutionary given how quick a SIM can be swapped out, but to some it’s the principle of the matter.

The news is not an announcement of an extension of the current iPad-based Apple SIM to iPhones, as was announced by the tech giant in October 2014. The Apple SIM delivers a true SIM free experience as users would no longer have to deal with a SIM card at all, and instead can pick their providers via a menu in iOS.

Pricing for the SIM free iPhone is the same as an unlocked T-Mobile iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, starting at $649 through to $949 depending on model and specs.

The phone will be available through Apple stores or online. It’s not clear at this stage whether authorised Apple third party resellers will also offer the SIM free iPhone’s, but outside of telco shops it’s likely.

photo credit: jbdodane via photopin cc