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Which older iPhone models work on T-Mobile's 3G and/or 4G?

mrat93

mrat93

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Original poster
Dec 30, 2006
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I remember a while back, it used to be that only AT&T or unlocked models would work on T-Mobile, but only on their 2G network. Later on, T-Mobile did some infrastructure changes that would allow some older iPhones to work on their 3G (and maybe 4G?) networks.

I'm wondering which iPhone models would work on their 3G and/or 4G networks, and if it involves any sketchy trickery to enable, apart from unlocking the phone. Thanks!
 
tardman91

tardman91

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Oct 21, 2009
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Tampa Area, FL
I think the 4 and 4S will work in some rather limited markets where T-Mobile has refarmed their network to certain 3G/"4G" bands. I can't remember which bands exactly. The newest version of the iPhone 5 (both the T-Mobile and the officially unlocked versions) will run on T-Mobile's 4G and LTE network nationwide (depending on coverage, of course).
 
M

madsci954

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Oct 14, 2011
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Ohio
Only way you'll get 4G on an older iPhone using Tmo's network is if the area has ben refarmed to support the proper frequency. If the area hasn't been refarmed, then all you'll get is Edge. There is nothing you can do on the user end.
 
mrat93

mrat93

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Awesome, got the info I needed. Thanks, everybody!
 
C

CEmajr

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Dec 18, 2012
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Charlotte, NC
All of them except the iPhone 2G (for obvious reasons) will get 3G or 4G in refarmed areas. Only the iPhone 5 will get the AWS 4G that they use for most of their network though.
 
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