iPhone 6+ locked to O2?

[Anonymous]

My colleague has just got his wife to upgrade her O2 phone for a 64Gb iPhone 6+. I've fully briefed him to expect a wait, but they are happy waiting (so far).

His idea is for his wife to give him the iPhone, and she will continue using her Note 2. He is on Vodafone. Am I right in thinking O2 can't lock iPhones, and therefore if the first sim card that goes in it is his (after he has sim-swapped for a nano), that it will work? Or are iPhones locked to networks too? Upgraded directly with O2, not CPW etc.

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

No, it will be locked to O2.
If it's on refresh they currently require the device plan to be paid off before they will unlock it - Otherwise it's a 6 month wait.
Makes no sense in that respect so may as well buy outright from Apple.

[Anonymous]

Thanks @MI5 . I feared as much...

[MI5]

Done deliberately to ensure revenue stays with the network that sold the device.....

[L_W_Ward]

Usually here:

http://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-and-devices/unlocking-your-iphone-and-using-it-on-another-network

But O2 are not unlocking the iPhone 6/plus for a while 😞