Hardware difference between Verizon/AT&T iphone 5

[rileyb76]

I am a Verizon customer but found a used iphone 5 (AT&T) on Craigslist. Can you use these on the Verizon network?

TIA

[Applejuiced]

Originally Posted by rileyb76

I am a Verizon customer but found a used iphone 5 (AT&T) on Craigslist. Can you use these on the Verizon network?

TIA

No, you cannot.
You can use a verizon i5 on AT&T but not the other way around.

[rileyb76]

Ah, thanks.

[Afbar1114]

so it seems like its better to use get a CDMA phone because it can be used any where

[techluvr]

Originally Posted by Afbar1114

so it seems like its better to use get a CDMA phone because it can be used any where

Not a Sprint one though. The Verizon ones are the only CDMA ones that come GSM unlocked.

[hakr100]

Originally Posted by Applejuiced

No, you cannot.
You can use a verizon i5 on AT&T but not the other way around.

Could you please explain how that is possible in language that a non-geek user of an iphone 5 would understand?

[vistadude]

You can use a verizon iphone 5 on at&t because it's "allowed" to access at&t's type of network, but only the slow 3G network, not the fast 4G network.

The at&t iphone 5 on the other hand, cannot access verizon's network because verizon doesn't allow it.

Just pretend you're buying a car from america versus Afghanistan, where the American car is verizon and Afghanistan car is at&t. The american (verizon) car works in both countries because it meets both the strict american (verizon) clean air regulations as well as no regulations in Afghanistan (at&t). But the Afghanistan (at&t) car wouldn't be allowed to run in america (verizon) because it puts out too much pollution.

[hakr100]

Originally Posted by vistadude

You can use a verizon iphone 5 on at&t because it's "allowed" to access at&t's type of network, but only the slow 3G network, not the fast 4G network.

The at&t iphone 5 on the other hand, cannot access verizon's network because verizon doesn't allow it.

Just pretend you're buying a car from america versus Afghanistan, where the American car is verizon and Afghanistan car is at&t. The american (verizon) car works in both countries because it meets both the strict american (verizon) clean air regulations as well as no regulations in Afghanistan (at&t). But the Afghanistan (at&t) car wouldn't be allowed to run in america (verizon) because it puts out too much pollution.

That's great...thanks!

[Michael CM1]

As I understand the models, everything is the same except for the LTE bands. I think. LTE uses a ton of frequencies, and not everybody is available on any one chip.