Using a LTE sim in 4s

steadymceddy · Apr 29, 2012

I don't know if this was addressed on here yet or not, so i apologize if it is, but here goes:

I have a VZW iphone 4s, and a Droid RAZR. I know the 4s has a sim card pre-installed for global use, but im wondering if there is any way to make it so the sim card from the droid can be used in the iphone so i could switch back and fourth from the 4s to the razr. Now i know my iphone is CDMA and that LTE is basically GSM but im wondering if i get it carrier unlocked the phone would recodnize the sim with my number and work? Probably a long shot but i figured this was the place to ask

terraphantm · Apr 29, 2012

I tried using my dad's Verizon iPad's SIM in my AT&T 4S (carrier unlocked) - I thought maybe it'd work since the 4S does have CDMA hardware. But it never picked up a signal

Diseal3 · Apr 29, 2012

The 4S is not an LTE phone is will not work.

steadymceddy · Apr 29, 2012

Diseal3 said:
The 4S is not an LTE phone is will not work.

Yeah, I knew it isnt LTE, but I was hoping since the 4s has GSM built in and LTE is basred off GSM something might be tweakable to work. thanks for the info though!

terraphantm · Apr 29, 2012

Diseal3 said:
The 4S is not an LTE phone is will not work.

True, but the LTE devices will fall back to normal CDMA if they're not in LTE coverage areas. So I thought maybe the phone would think it needs to switch on the CDMA radio

Applejuiced · Apr 29, 2012

Nope, it's not that simple.

terraphantm · Apr 29, 2012

Applejuiced said:
Nope, it's not that simple.

Obviously. But it was worth trying; the SIM is absolutely necessary for lte devices to get service. It's not like the CDMA part still works without it. So in that sense it works a lot like a RUIM.

takeshi74 · Apr 30, 2012

steadymceddy said:
im wondering if i get it carrier unlocked the phone would recodnize the sim with my number and work?

Even if you could use an LTE SIM in a GSM device the other hurdle is getting your VZW 4s unlocked for domestic use.

old-wiz · Apr 30, 2012

takeshi74 said:
Even if you could use an LTE SIM in a GSM device the other hurdle is getting your VZW 4s unlocked for domestic use.

Verizon won't do the unlock, period. They will unlock to use it for non-US carriers, but that's all.

lordofthereef · Apr 30, 2012

I realize this thread is about VZW...

I just thought I would mention that ATT's LTE sims will work perfectly fine in the 4S (personal experience), and presumably the 4, and even older iPhones with the appropriate size adapter.

terraphantm · Apr 30, 2012

Makes me wonder if a Verizon lte sim would work in one of the CDMA phones that take RUIMs (assuming they don't have subsidy locks). More curiosity than anything else

Diseal3 · Apr 30, 2012

Just because the technology is based on GSM does not mean poping in a sim card will make it work. You need an LTE radio on Verizon's 4G Bands (700Mhz C-Block) in order for it to work. You can take a 4G sim and place it into another Verizon 4G product and it's all good and dandy, but the iPhone will not work. The CDMA work's because the activation of the phone is still the same. The CDMA is still Voice only and the 4G LTE network is only data. I can get into a whole thing about eHRPD and why a 4G sim in another 4G phone activates it but this is a general sharing of knowledge.

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Using a LTE sim in 4s

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