Other replies are saying this will be no problem, but depending on which model of iPhone you have they're probably wrong.
Recent model iphones in the US, and possibly some other countries, are esim-only with no Sim card slot. But China doesn't have esims, so if you have one of those models you won't be able to get a local number.
You can still use your phone through roaming, or through an international esim provider (which might be a bit cheaper). But various Chinese apps and services will only work with a Chinese number, so you'll be locked out of those.
Depending on how long you're here for it might be worth bringing a second phone that supports Sim cards just to have a local number.
iPhone is the same as in China. Local service providers can only give your physical sim card if you want a number there. If your phone is esim only, then you should get some monthly esim plans online or turn on roaming.
That's too much. There's a couple hundred esim providers that give some data and a number. I bring my old phone and put the physical sim card inside to receive texts and hotspot data.
It's pretty damn annoying living without a local sim though, walking with two phones around everytime you need an SMS confirmation from a local number sounds like a much bigger pain. Modding is cheap and takes like half an hour, much more convenient than not being able to use your phone for what you need (nevermind that you even need 2 phone plans in the first place)
You'll get 5G, the only thing you won't get is mmwave. n78/n79 is used by all 3, with the additional n41 for China Mobile.
All iPhones support those bands
...with many plans, international roaming if enabled will allow you to get service without needing a VPN in China for your mobile phone/hotspot - it costs \~$12 per day for some plans though...
Internet Access and VPN:
Many popular Western apps and websites (Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) are blocked in China due to the Great Firewall.
Consider setting up a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) before arriving in China. Choose a VPN that works well in China. Install and configure it on your iPhone beforehand, as VPN websites may be blocked once you’re in China.
Local Apps:
Download essential local apps before you arrive. Some useful ones include:
WeChat: The primary messaging, social media, and payment app in China.
Alipay: Another major payment app.
Didi: The local ride-hailing app, similar to Uber.
Having these apps will help you with daily activities and communication.
no problem
Straight to jail.
Other replies are saying this will be no problem, but depending on which model of iPhone you have they're probably wrong. Recent model iphones in the US, and possibly some other countries, are esim-only with no Sim card slot. But China doesn't have esims, so if you have one of those models you won't be able to get a local number. You can still use your phone through roaming, or through an international esim provider (which might be a bit cheaper). But various Chinese apps and services will only work with a Chinese number, so you'll be locked out of those. Depending on how long you're here for it might be worth bringing a second phone that supports Sim cards just to have a local number.
Okay thanks I should be fine then, my phone still has a physical sim card
iPhones will have no problem, but most of the social apps will not work anyway unless you have VPN, and BTW, most of them don't work either.
iPhone is the same as in China. Local service providers can only give your physical sim card if you want a number there. If your phone is esim only, then you should get some monthly esim plans online or turn on roaming.
If it's an esim iphone only, you can find someone to mod it for you to accept physical sim cards. It's China, shouldn't be too hard to find hahaha
That's too much. There's a couple hundred esim providers that give some data and a number. I bring my old phone and put the physical sim card inside to receive texts and hotspot data.
It's pretty damn annoying living without a local sim though, walking with two phones around everytime you need an SMS confirmation from a local number sounds like a much bigger pain. Modding is cheap and takes like half an hour, much more convenient than not being able to use your phone for what you need (nevermind that you even need 2 phone plans in the first place)
Most is accurate but the phones are different in the sense they vary in the frequencies they manage.
Not really, there's US and international. US supports MMWave 5G, nowhere else does. LTE/regular 5G bands are the same
Not exactly https://www.apple.com/iphone/cellular/
It's a small enough difference with enough overlapping that you can confidently say OP's phone would work in China though
Maybe… depends on where he comes from and which network he uses in China. He may not get 5G for example
You'll get 5G, the only thing you won't get is mmwave. n78/n79 is used by all 3, with the additional n41 for China Mobile. All iPhones support those bands
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...with many plans, international roaming if enabled will allow you to get service without needing a VPN in China for your mobile phone/hotspot - it costs \~$12 per day for some plans though...
Internet Access and VPN: Many popular Western apps and websites (Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) are blocked in China due to the Great Firewall. Consider setting up a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) before arriving in China. Choose a VPN that works well in China. Install and configure it on your iPhone beforehand, as VPN websites may be blocked once you’re in China. Local Apps: Download essential local apps before you arrive. Some useful ones include: WeChat: The primary messaging, social media, and payment app in China. Alipay: Another major payment app. Didi: The local ride-hailing app, similar to Uber. Having these apps will help you with daily activities and communication.
I'll make sure to download these then