Do i need to activate service before i buy an iphone?

Do i need to activate service before i buy an iphone?

No, you can't activate a phone until you own it as you need the IMEI number to have the service initiated.

No phone then there's nothing to activate

You go into the phone store, shop the models available, talk with a sales person, select the phone you want.

If you don't have phone service at all, the sales person will very happily set up a new services for you, take your payment, and set up your phone to work properly.

If you are moving your mobile service from another carrier (like AT&T or Verizon) for some reason you can now ask to have your current cell number transferred to your new service. AND the sales person should be able to hook up your old phone to a little device and transfer all your contacts over so you don't have to set up your address list again.