iPhone XS Max Dual physical sim outside china iPhone Xs Max

[thasan]

hi all,
I am able to get an iPhone xs max from china for use in the EU. I heard iOS 12 in those phones will be heavily modified and different from the rest of the world. I’m worried that I may not be able to use the phone properly or use it in EU AppStores or use EU sims easily. Can anyone confirm this?
Many thanks for this.

 

[JPack]

It's not modified. The only limitation is FaceTime Audio is not available.

 

[kryten3000]

Additionally, setting the region to a EU country and re-installing the iOS *may* result in an iPhone that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

It's not modified. The only limitation is FaceTime Audio is not available.

Why is that?

 

[thasan]

It's not modified. The only limitation is FaceTime Audio is not available.

Thanks. But how about a full reset or with EU AppStore account? Do you know.
[doublepost=1538341044][/doublepost]

Additionally, setting the region to a EU country and re-installing the iOS *may* result in an iPhone that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

That’s what I am hoping for. But Want to know for sure.

 

[makr]

Thanks. But how about a full reset or with EU AppStore account? Do you know.
[doublepost=1538341044][/doublepost]
That’s what I am hoping for. But Want to know for sure.

I guess activating it outside China and setting up your location somewhere else would do the trick.

 

[JPack]

Why is that?

There's no official answer, but it's most likely a move to protect domestic carriers.

FaceTime audio was introduced in iOS 7 and during that time, China was trying to protect its domestic carrier business from these free phone services.

We saw a similar move in 2009 with the iPhone 3G which lacked Wi-Fi. During that time, China was trying to protect its new 3G networks.
[doublepost=1538342128][/doublepost]

Thanks. But how about a full reset or with EU AppStore account? Do you know.

No, phone features are linked to the region-specific model.

FaceTime audio is the only restriction. But in exchange, you get dual physical SIM.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

There's no official answer, but it's most likely a move to protect domestic carriers.

FaceTime audio was introduced in iOS 7 and during that time, China was trying to protect its domestic carrier business from these free phone services.

We saw a similar move in 2009 with the iPhone 3G which lacked Wi-Fi. During that time, China was trying to protect its new 3G networks.
[doublepost=1538342128][/doublepost]

That's another coin in my "I will never ever visit China on vacation" piggy bank.

 

[DeanL]

That's another coin in my "I will never ever visit China on vacation" piggy bank.

...as if the US never engaged in protectionism in any form ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

We saw a similar move in 2009 with the iPhone 3G which lacked Wi-Fi. During that time, China was trying to protect its new 3G networks.

Don't spread misinformation. The iPhone 3G lacked Wi-Fi in China because it didn't support their standard, WAPI.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLAN_Authentication_and_Privacy_Infrastructure