Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

nickprete11

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 5, 2012
146
0
Philadelphia
Hello everyone. On the eve of today's iPhone 5 for T-Mobile announcement, I see Apple is releasing a tweaked iPhone 5 model. What is the AWS model? Should I be worried? I currently have an AT&T 16GB iPhone 5. Should I buy a new one? Thanks.
 

apunkrockmonk

macrumors 6502a
Nov 20, 2005
769
16
Rochester, NY
The only difference is built in support over AWS (1700MHz/2100MHz) for 3G. In the US the only carrier using those frequency bands for 3G is TMobile.
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,721
1,238
If you live in an Edge area that is just outside of a 3G coverage area, the AWS iPhone will extend your 3G coverage area. I live in an Edge area for an unlocked iphone but my a TMO Galaxy S3 on AWS gets great HSPA+ speeds.
 

Gregintosh

macrumors 68000
Jan 29, 2008
1,914
533
Chicago
So If I were in an area like Chicago that has already converted T-Mobile coverage, then this is not necessary?

Also, it becomes less necessary over time as T-Mobile continues to upgrade their network?
 

thelookingglass

macrumors 68020
Apr 27, 2005
2,138
631
So If I were in an area like Chicago that has already converted T-Mobile coverage, then this is not necessary?

Also, it becomes less necessary over time as T-Mobile continues to upgrade their network?

Sounds about right to me. Although their refarm seems to be taking longer than they'd like. Major markets are fine, but if you travel a lot it might be an issue.
 

madsci954

macrumors 68030
Oct 14, 2011
2,725
658
Ohio
Is there going to be any way to differentiate the AWS iPhone? I am not switching from AT&T to T-Mobile.

Only difference between the ATT/factory unlocked iPhone 5 sold now and the ones sold after April 12 is the AWS capabilities. No upped processor or anything new. If you're on ATT and are staying there, this will do nothing for you.
 

nickprete11

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 5, 2012
146
0
Philadelphia
Will there be anyway to really differentiate the 2 iPhones? So my iPhone 5 is still the latest iPhone? I always need to have the latest model. I know it sounds ridiculous but I have OCD. I'm not afraid to admit it, haha.
 

madsci954

macrumors 68030
Oct 14, 2011
2,725
658
Ohio
It will have the same hardware (aside from the AWS chip), same processor, same RAM, same screen. Only difference is one will work on T-Mobile's AWS 3G network and the other will only get Edge. Again, being on ATT, this will mean nothing for you.
 

ritmomundo

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2011
2,021
543
Los Angeles, CA
AWS stands for "All Will Surrender." It basically means that if an AWS iPhone detects your iPhone in close proximity, it can remotely corrupt your data and fry your hardware if the AWS owner chooses to activate that setting. The AWS chip works in a similar fashion to the NFC technology, but its applications are potentially far more sinister. You can protect your iPhone with specially designed tin foil cases, which I'm sure will be sold everywhere now that the AWS iPhone has been announced. Stay safe!

----------

Will there be anyway to really differentiate the 2 iPhones? So my iPhone 5 is still the latest iPhone? I always need to have the latest model. I know it sounds ridiculous but I have OCD. I'm not afraid to admit it, haha.

Fluoxetine will help.
 

apollo1444

macrumors 65816
Jul 22, 2011
1,329
27
mexico
It will have the same hardware (aside from the AWS chip), same processor, same RAM, same screen. Only difference is one will work on T-Mobile's AWS 3G network and the other will only get Edge. Again, being on ATT, this will mean nothing for you.

the AT&T can get 3G eventually more markets will get 1900mhz 3G
 

madsci954

macrumors 68030
Oct 14, 2011
2,725
658
Ohio
the AT&T can get 3G eventually more markets will get 1900mhz 3G

I live in an area where there is good 3G/4G coverage but it hasn't been refarmed. And T-Mobile is mum on what has been officially refarmed, what they are working on currently, and what will come. Only info we have is the unofficial map (airportal.de) and near where I live there was only 1 report and that one report was about 10 miles from where I live.
 

ritmomundo

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2011
2,021
543
Los Angeles, CA
Will these models have any way to tell if they are different from my current iPhone 5 on AT&T?

It'll say "T-Mobile" in the upper left corner of the screen. And it will be faster than your current phone, which is now the old version. An upgrade, no matter how big or small, is an upgrade. You don't have the latest phone. If you have the AWS, people will know (because you will tell them). You should sell your old version iPhone 5 soon before the value drops a lot.
 

ritmomundo

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2011
2,021
543
Los Angeles, CA
Thanks for the people who actually helped. I appreciate it.

You're welcome!! Be sure to sell your old iPhone quick, you don't want to miss out when the AWS is released! They're probably going to sell out VERY quickly, so you should make plans to get to your local store very early in the morning (if not a day or 2 in advance). I will be, as well as almost everyone I know. :)
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,390
19,458

bozzykid

macrumors 68020
Aug 11, 2009
2,430
492
Then why can't the current model be updated if it doesn't have anything to do with the hardware itself? Should be possible to do a firmware update on an existing device that would otherwise support the functionality.

Who knows. Apple decided not to get it re-certified with the FCC. It makes no sense to me why they didn't do that and just enable it in a software update. But the FCC filing for the AWS enabled version make it clear the hardware is the same.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.