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which iphone5 will work in the UK from the states
- Thread starter Essa86
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Only the gsm has the SIM card slot.
Stay clear of CDMA versions.
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I have read that it can be done but is rare as their networks seem to flatly refuse to sell the iPhone 5 full retail cost.
Stay clear of CDMA versions.
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I have read that it can be done but is rare as their networks seem to flatly refuse to sell the iPhone 5 full retail cost.
Not true with the i5.
In fact, the Verizon CDMA model is probably a better choice with regard to LTE frequencies for use in Europe. Also has the advantage of being sold unlocked.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
Frequencies in the 3 models
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None of the USA models will support LTE when it arrives in the uk later this month. You need model A1429 which supports LTE band 3.
I know your probably trying to score a cheaper phone but you will be left behind once LTE takes off and your phone won't support it.
I know your probably trying to score a cheaper phone but you will be left behind once LTE takes off and your phone won't support it.
There's very little benefit to buying an iPhone in the US with the intention of taking it to the UK (permanently).
If the phone will primarily be used in the USA (i.e. by someone that lives there) and you only want to use it in the UK occasionally (for short trips), every iPhone except the iPhone 4 sold by CDMA carriers (like Verizon and Sprint) will work fine for that purpose. The original iPhone will only work with 4/5 of the carriers here (the 5th is 3G only) and the iPhone 4 or later adds support for an additional 3G frequency that 2/5 of the carriers use.
As noted above, only the iPhone 5 model being sold by CDMA carriers (again, Verizon, Sprint etc.) will be compatible with the LTE frequency being used in the UK - albeit with the caveat that only two networks will offer LTE on that frequency. The other carriers will (eventually) offer LTE on frequencies that no current iPhone model is compatible with.
Even though this is true, I imagine that it will be impossible for someone who isn't a US Resident to get an iPhone 5 from a CDMA carrier as they won't simply sell you the phone - you'll need to either have or take out some form of contract.
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false, My vzw has a sim card slot and I believe there is a sim card in there, I think it's needed for LTE.
All models would work. Model A1428 (GSM), Model A1429 (CDMA) and Model A1429 (yep, 29, GSM).
The last A1429 model is sold in Europe. It supports the standard GSM frequencies + LTE (850, 1800, 2100 MHz).
The first A1429 (CDMA, Verizon/Sprint version) model supports CDMA + the standard GSM frequencies + LTE (700c, 850, 1800, 1900, 2100).
So DO NOT get an AT&T version (Model A1428). Else you'll won't be able to use LTE networks (in the future). Get the A1429 (Verizon/Sprint) version.
The A1429 Verizon/Sprint version is the most complete version and supports most frequencies. It supports all the frequencies that's found in the European iPhone 5 + more LTE networks + CDMA.
Both Verizon and Sprint iPhone5's are model A1429, with the Verizon one being sold unlocked.
OP tell your brother to get a Verizon iPhone 5 and it will work with LTE for EE mobile in the UK.
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Buy straight from an Apple store, or buy on ebay or craigslist. There's tons of them out there.
Just make sure it's the Verizon model. Even though the Sprint is technically the same model as Verizon, only the Verizon one comes factory unlocked.
Where did you get that from. Both the Sprint and Verizon phones support the same 4G/LTE frequencies that will be used by Everything Everywhere here in the UK. Your advice is contradicting what pretty much everyone else has said in this thread.
Did you read my post and see the link?
The Verizon model has the same GSM and LTE frequencies as the UK model.
An unlocked Verizon iPhone 5 will do everything a UK model will.
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The advice by Apple that shows the LTE bands for the Verizon model as
The same 1800MHz that EE will launch this month and 3 will launch next year?
... but as above, you can't buy the CDMA model without having a Verizon/Sprint/Whatever contract, so that's not an option.
You can pay full retail at Apple can't you? Or do you have to be a Verizon customer to do it? If that's the case then I wasn't aware.
Verizon and Sprint (as well as all of the CDMA networks as far as I remember) will only allow phones to be used on their network if they were purchased specifically for use on that network. As such, it makes no sense for Apple to just sell someone that model of phone at full price, as they'll never be able to use it!
Not true. Read the above. Verizon phones are unlocked and support CDMA, 3G GSM bands, and some LTE bands. This is not a CDMA only phone.
What's not true?
Nobody is disputing what you've just written.
The policy of CDMA carriers in the United States is to not allow customers to "bring their own" device with them.
As such, it makes absolutely no sense for someone to go into an Apple Store and request the model of iPhone designed for CDMA networks without a contract, no matter if it is unlocked. Once purchased, none of the CDMA networks will touch it - so why would Apple even offer it as an option?
Verizon store might sell iPhone 5 off contract. If not, try Radio Shack or Best Buy.
It also depends on your luck, if the store only have a few left, they might prefer to sell their stocks to an on-contract customer (more kick back from the carrier). Then it is up to the discretion of the manage to sell it to you.
It also depends on your luck, if the store only have a few left, they might prefer to sell their stocks to an on-contract customer (more kick back from the carrier). Then it is up to the discretion of the manage to sell it to you.
I don't know what you are going on about. First if you buy a Verizon iPhone 5 at full price or subsidized of course they will allow you connect to their network if you get a contract with them. Second, the OP said their relative was in the US and wanted to buy a phone and wanted to make sure it would work OK in the UK. The Verizon iPhone 5 is the best one for these requirement.
But they won't be getting a contract. They've stated that clearly.
When you activate an iPhone on a GSM network, it will never be usable on a CDMA network. As such, it makes no sense for Apple to sell someone an iPhone 5 for a CDMA network unless that person puts it onto their CDMA account when they buy it - even if that's by paying full price for the phone.
If you go to the Apple Store and say that you want an iPhone, but you want the CDMA model with no service attached to it then they'll probably explain all this to you and refuse the sale. Apple.com hints at this.
They don't state whether the relative is a US Resident or is only visiting for a short period, so it makes it harder to give advice.
I would have to see some proof of that. There are people here who have taken a iPhone 5 and activated it on AT&T and T-Mobile. Even if Verizon "doesn't let you", you could buy one, cancel the contract and pay the ETF. You would still have an unlocked iPhone 5 at the same cost as buying it full price. Someone could easily do this.