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So it doesn't matter if it's a Verizon, AT&T etc. phone? As in I can just forgo looking for an unlocked phone and just buy one?
I know how the network works down there. My family has old phones they brought from up here to down there and had them changed to a Mex plan. The area where we are gets decent service from the Mex plans. I don't want to buy an IPhone down there because they cost about $850 to $900 brand new there.
I appreciate the info but my question was in regard to the phone specifically, whether or not it matters if it has been activated here or is from a carrier and so on. Sorry if I didn't make my question clear in my original post.
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Yes, the carrier matters, because different carriers in different countries, use e.g. Mexico (Movistar LTE Band 2) AT&T in the US LTE bands 2 and 4. So an unlocked AT&T phone should work on Movistar's network. Assuming LTE coverage is what you desire.
iPhones cost the same (in USD) everywhere, excluding some eccentric freight charge.
The answer to your question is very dependent on whether or not the phone you are attempting to use on another (assuming compatible) carrier's network has been unlocked.
If the phone is locked, that means it is locked by the software on the phone, by the carrier it was originally activated with, which means you can put all the different SIM cards you want in it, but they will not work, except for the SIM from the original carrier.
Carriers do this to prevent subscribers from buying a phone at a price subsidized by the revenues over the life of the contract they signed, and canceling that contract and attempting to use that phone on another network without paying the termination fee or paying for the full price of that phone.
A locked phone is completely worthless on any other carrier's network save, the carrier that locked it.
What you need is an unlocked phone (any model) that is compatible with the carrier you'd like to use oversees or Mexico. You get a SIM card from that carrier, put it in your unlocked phone, and they will activate that device on their network (activate not lock).
You may then take that SIM card out, and put a US SIM card in (from a US Carrier e.g. AT&T) and use it on AT&T's network.
The phone must be unlocked. You can purchase unlocked phones retail, just make sure to ask if you can use this phone in X country.
Sorry for the delay I was away for a few weeks.