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expiredninjamuk posted Jan 18, 2021 10:26 PM
expiredninjamuk posted Jan 18, 2021 10:26 PM

YMMV: Apple iPhone XS and XS Max Clearance in-store (all capacities/models) for $199

$199

Walmart
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Apple iPhone XS models (including large capacities and Max variants) are all $199 in-store at Walmart as of this weekend. Definitely a YMMV since these are not showing up in online inventories.

NOTE: Brickseek is showing "NO RESULTS" and Walmart.com is saying "Out of stock" for all SKUs (I checked them all). However, all 4 of the stores I checked in-person did have inventory. This seems very unusual, but I purchased a 256GB XS Max for $199 this afternoon at a store in my area so there are some models out there.

Walmart listing (shows no inventory; see note above) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-.../109707311

No contract/commitment required, but I believe these are only setup to work only with AT&T. I have AT&T so I haven't explored this further.

Clarification: No AT&T account info was needed to checkout. I just asked for the phone at the electronics counter, paid the total, and walked out. I charged the phone, swapped the SIM from my existing phone, and was up and running.
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Community Notes
About the Poster
Apple iPhone XS models (including large capacities and Max variants) are all $199 in-store at Walmart as of this weekend. Definitely a YMMV since these are not showing up in online inventories.

NOTE: Brickseek is showing "NO RESULTS" and Walmart.com is saying "Out of stock" for all SKUs (I checked them all). However, all 4 of the stores I checked in-person did have inventory. This seems very unusual, but I purchased a 256GB XS Max for $199 this afternoon at a store in my area so there are some models out there.

Walmart listing (shows no inventory; see note above) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-.../109707311

No contract/commitment required, but I believe these are only setup to work only with AT&T. I have AT&T so I haven't explored this further.

Clarification: No AT&T account info was needed to checkout. I just asked for the phone at the electronics counter, paid the total, and walked out. I charged the phone, swapped the SIM from my existing phone, and was up and running.

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Jan 20, 2021 03:08 AM
3,098 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
XDeckerJan 20, 2021 03:08 AM
3,098 Posts
Quote from holly_molly :
first boot with the sim. it won't let you use as wifi device without sim and it will lock it during first time activation after you boot the phone for first time.. do one thing, there are couple of ebay sellers selling verizon unlock service under $3. try one of them and see if they are able to lock your current verizon locked phone. i am waiting for update from one seller on my order.
I haven't even swiped through past the "hello" screen yet. And one of them hasn't even been turned on.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a mess because my sister is back in NYC so I can't even borrow her sim to try it. But with COVID and all I wasn't going to give it to her for a few months anyway. (After vaccinations)

I could probably activate all three on Verizon and just keep them active for 60 days. My dad will be pissed when I downgrade him to give it to my sister though, lol!

I thought all Verizon iPhones were unlocked? Or is that just ancient knowledge?
Jan 20, 2021 03:10 AM
474 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
ahmwJan 20, 2021 03:10 AM
474 Posts
Quote from porky :
Awesome! Unlocked in seconds. Repped!
That is awesome. Did you activate with an at&t SIM card first?
Jan 20, 2021 03:12 AM
11 Posts
Joined Oct 2015
helloguysJan 20, 2021 03:12 AM
11 Posts
OK. New data points:

I went to seven different Walmart stores in Dallas area. I was able to buy one from one of the stores.

Most of the Walmart stores (in DFW) have contracted a company called "Premium" to sell cell phones and plans. This is what they called the "wireless guy". Those wireless guys are not Walmart employees. They are only at the store for a couple hours a day. What they do is to sell plans. Most of the Walmart employees told me they were not allowed to sell cell phones (the only exception is those cheap pre-paid phones). If you want to buy iPhones, you'll have to deal with the "wireless guy". Of course the "wireless guy" won't sell you phones without contract. Because they got paid by the plans they sell, not by the phones they sell.

But I believe it is up to the store employees. Many people here (including me) was able to buy iPhone Xs Max ($199) or iPhone Xs ($99) outright. Store employees just need to get the phone from the locker, use WARP 2.0 system to key in the item so it shows up on the register (they cannot just scan the phone at the register). Unfortunately, not many employees know how to use the WARP 2.0 system(or unwilling to do it).

I'm lucky enough to speak with an experienced employee. He asked "Do you have reservation?" I said no. He knew what's going on. But he's kind enough to sell me one (and only one). He said people reserved all Xs/Xs Max online. So all of them are on-hold in store. He had to work some trick to release one so that he could get it show up in the registry. He's doing it as a courtesy.

So yes, it is doable. But it's really up to the store employee. YMMV.
Jan 20, 2021 03:14 AM
2,295 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
holly_mollyJan 20, 2021 03:14 AM
2,295 Posts
Quote from XDecker :
I haven't even swiped through past the "hello" screen yet. And one of them hasn't even been turned on.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a mess because my sister is back in NYC so I can't even borrow her sim to try it. But with COVID and all I wasn't going to give it to her for a few months anyway. (After vaccinations)

I could probably activate all three on Verizon and just keep them active for 60 days. My dad will be pissed when I downgrade him to give it to my sister though, lol!

I thought all Verizon iPhones were unlocked? Or is that just ancient knowledge?
initially verizon were unlocked as it was part of agreement for spectrum or something but an year or two back things changed. they were able to get approval of 60 days lock period but this time the clause is, verizon have to unlock it even if account is not active. unless there is some outstanding amount or IMEI is blacklisted, they have to unlock it automatically without request from customer.

but one thing with flex reseller locking policy is, there is always a dicey situation in the sense that if walmart scanned it for att and you use it on verizon then it would lock to verizon but they'll say you need to get it unlocked from att as it was in their database. verizon would be able to do it but it would involve lot of steps and nobody usually does that that easily. so insert one sim and go pass activation and try unlocking it with ebay listing and see how it goes. then proceed with one more unit. i am trying with verizon sim right now. if it doesn't work then i'll try another unit with att sim (i would need to buy att sim first) and request att website as non att customer and see how it goes.

but rsim should work although it wont be able to unlock esim.

or you can wait and see how other people are able to get it unlocked. i have already started with process of one unit so you an wait for me to report with the update and proceed accordingly.
Jan 20, 2021 03:16 AM
7 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Fastlife772Jan 20, 2021 03:16 AM
7 Posts
Quote from eore227 :
Anyone open and see what firmwares these are on?
iOS 12
Jan 20, 2021 03:21 AM
3,098 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
XDeckerJan 20, 2021 03:21 AM
3,098 Posts
Quote from holly_molly :
initially verizon were unlocked as it was part of agreement for spectrum or something but an year or two back things changed. they were able to get approval of 60 days lock period but this time the clause is, verizon have to unlock it even if account is not active. unless there is some outstanding amount or IMEI is blacklisted, they have to unlock it automatically without request from customer.

but one thing with flex reseller locking policy is, there is always a dicey situation in the sense that if walmart scanned it for att and you use it on verizon then it would lock to verizon but they'll say you need to get it unlocked from att as it was in their database. verizon would be able to do it but it would involve lot of steps and nobody usually does that that easily. so insert one sim and go pass activation and try unlocking it with ebay listing and see how it goes. then proceed with one more unit. i am trying with verizon sim right now. if it doesn't work then i'll try another unit with att sim (i would need to buy att sim first) and request att website as non att customer and see how it goes.

but rsim should work although it wont be able to unlock esim.

or you can wait and see how other people are able to get it unlocked. i have already started with process of one unit so you an wait for me to report with the update and proceed accordingly.
I'm not trying to "game" the system TBH. I'm phone shuffling anyway, so maybe I'll give my kid one of the XS Max's to use on Verizon and give my sister my XR I'm using currently. (Which is well past the 60 day unlock anyway)

I appreciate the advice for sure. I'll keep an eye on this thread. Maybe $3 for an eBay unlock is good to avoid the hassle.

Reps when I get back to my desktop computer. (I can't seem to do it on mobile web?)
Jan 20, 2021 03:24 AM
8,623 Posts
Joined Nov 2004
XYprideJan 20, 2021 03:24 AM
8,623 Posts
I'm trying to reserve one and now it says:

Are you an existing AT&T customer?

If not, you may still continue but we will not be able to provide detailed pricing information until you arrive at your store for pickup.


It didn't say that yesterday.

Did I do something wrong?
1

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Jan 20, 2021 03:26 AM
2,295 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
holly_mollyJan 20, 2021 03:26 AM
2,295 Posts
Quote from XDecker :
I'm not trying to "game" the system TBH. I'm phone shuffling anyway, so maybe I'll give my kid one of the XS Max's to use on Verizon and give my sister my XR I'm using currently. (Which is well past the 60 day unlock anyway)

I appreciate the advice for sure. I'll keep an eye on this thread. Maybe $3 for an eBay unlock is good to avoid the hassle.

Reps when I get back to my desktop computer. (I can't seem to do it on mobile web?)
just ping me a message so i'll reply to you once i hear from that ebay seller.

also, my xs max 64 gb was unlocked. i first tried with att unlock as non att customer without even opening the box (IMEI 2 on the box) and it was approved in a minute. but for xs, att rejected saying IMEI mismatch so i have a doubt that it as unlocked out of box or it was for att and in att database that it was approved by them. i would never know as i do not have another xs max unit to test my hypothesis.
Jan 20, 2021 03:36 AM
8,623 Posts
Joined Nov 2004
XYprideJan 20, 2021 03:36 AM
8,623 Posts
Your reservation is confirmed

Thank you for reserving your device at Walmart.


A Walmart Wireless Sales Representative will contact you to schedule an activation appointment when your new phone arrives at the location listed below.

wat?
1
Jan 20, 2021 03:38 AM
3,098 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
XDeckerJan 20, 2021 03:38 AM
3,098 Posts
Quote from holly_molly :
just ping me a message so i'll reply to you once i hear from that ebay seller.

also, my xs max 64 gb was unlocked. i first tried with att unlock as non att customer without even opening the box (IMEI 2 on the box) and it was approved in a minute. but for xs, att rejected saying IMEI mismatch so i have a doubt that it as unlocked out of box or it was for att and in att database that it was approved by them. i would never know as i do not have another xs max unit to test my hypothesis.
Oh that's interesting. You can try an AT&T unlock even on a device that is "Verizon" without being an AT&T customer?

From:
https://www.att.com/support/small.../KM1008728
"We can help you unlock your device even if you don't have our wireless service. As long as you have an eligible device that works on our network, 1 you're covered.
Trying to unlock your device screen? Find out how"

I wonder if I should just try that. I HAVE just turned the device on, it's sitting at "hello". I haven't gotten to the "communicating with Apple servers" part yet. I may be safe yet.​
Jan 20, 2021 03:44 AM
1,064 Posts
Joined Jan 2015
grabdeal27Jan 20, 2021 03:44 AM
1,064 Posts
Quote from energyx :
Just put in an ATT SIM when you activate the phone with Apple. It doesn't have to be an active SIM.
If I put in an inactive prepaid at&t sim and then request for unlock from at&t portal as guest? Would it unlock?
Jan 20, 2021 03:46 AM
2,295 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
holly_mollyJan 20, 2021 03:46 AM
2,295 Posts
Quote from XDecker :
Oh that's interesting. You can try an AT&T unlock even on a device that is "Verizon" without being an AT&T customer?

From:
https://www.att.com/support/small.../KM1008728 [att.com]
"We can help you unlock your device even if you don't have our wireless service. As long as you have an eligible device that works on our network, 1 you're covered.
Trying to unlock your device screen? Find out how"

I wonder if I should just try that. I HAVE just turned the device on, it's sitting at "hello". I haven't gotten to the "communicating with Apple servers" part yet. I may be safe yet.​
i tried all phones with att unlock as non att customer but only xs max was approved. i am not sure if it already unlocked or walmart scanned it as att device. but few other people also got xs max as unlocked.
Jan 20, 2021 03:52 AM
4,275 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
cccheelJan 20, 2021 03:52 AM
4,275 Posts
Quote from DeltaMajor156 :
I'm trying to reserve one and now it says:

Are you an existing AT&T customer?

If not, you may still continue but we will not be able to provide detailed pricing information until you arrive at your store for pickup.


It didn't say that yesterday.

Did I do something wrong?
No it said that for me today as well. I bought all Verizon versions.
Jan 20, 2021 03:55 AM
8,623 Posts
Joined Nov 2004
XYprideJan 20, 2021 03:55 AM
8,623 Posts
Quote from cccheel :
No it said that for me today as well. I bought all Verizon versions.
ahh, thanks

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Jan 20, 2021 03:56 AM
4,221 Posts
Joined Feb 2011
iygJan 20, 2021 03:56 AM
4,221 Posts
Quote from helloguys :
OK. New data points:

I went to seven different Walmart stores in Dallas area. I was able to buy one from one of the stores.

Most of the Walmart stores (in DFW) have contracted a company called "Premium" to sell cell phones and plans. This is what they called the "wireless guy". Those wireless guys are not Walmart employees. They are only at the store for a couple hours a day. What they do is to sell plans. Most of the Walmart employees told me they were not allowed to sell cell phones (the only exception is those cheap pre-paid phones). If you want to buy iPhones, you'll have to deal with the "wireless guy". Of course the "wireless guy" won't sell you phones without contract. Because they got paid by the plans they sell, not by the phones they sell.

But I believe it is up to the store employees. Many people here (including me) was able to buy iPhone Xs Max ($199) or iPhone Xs ($99) outright. Store employees just need to get the phone from the locker, use WARP 2.0 system to key in the item so it shows up on the register (they cannot just scan the phone at the register). Unfortunately, not many employees know how to use the WARP 2.0 system(or unwilling to do it).

I'm lucky enough to speak with an experienced employee. He asked "Do you have reservation?" I said no. He knew what's going on. But he's kind enough to sell me one (and only one). He said people reserved all Xs/Xs Max online. So all of them are on-hold in store. He had to work some trick to release one so that he could get it show up in the registry. He's doing it as a courtesy.

So yes, it is doable. But it's really up to the store employee. YMMV.
Which store did you go to?

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