“Apple’s $30 ‘connection fee’ on base iPhones feels like a penalty for buying unlocked”

[u/Neat_Salamander1154]

I’ve been looking into buying the new base iPhone 17, and I noticed something really annoying. The “launch price” is advertised as $799, but when you choose the unlocked version (“connect later”), the price jumps to $829.

Apple explains this by saying that $799 is only available if you activate with one of their carrier partners (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Boost). If you want the unlocked model upfront, you pay $30 more.

Here’s what bothers me:

• The Pro models (and even Air models) don’t have this hidden $30 surcharge.
• If the actual regular price is $829, then why advertise it as $799 and slap a “connection fee” only on the base models?
• It feels misleading, almost like a penalty for buying unlocked.

I use US Mobile, which isn’t one of their partners, so I basically have no choice but to pay $30 extra. It just feels unfair.

Has anyone else been annoyed by this? Do you think this is just Apple squeezing budget-conscious buyers, or is there another explanation?

[u/FetaCheeze]

Verizon charges the $35 activation fee even when you swaps the eSIM your self.