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Will iPhone 5 be the last iPhone we can unlock on our own unless we go through back

M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
0
door methods? The new stipulation against unlocking phones on your own is really sad.

I really hope we get to see unlock fusion on eBay for future iPhones but I doubt it.

Unlocking is cool because its nice to have the luxury of using the iPhone wherever you want anywhere in the world.

If you have the AT&T GSM version of iPhone 5 you can take it to almost any country, pop a sim, and you're good to go.

It's really sad the laws have changed.
 
R

RichardC300

macrumors 65816
Sep 27, 2012
1,240
103
Myiphone7 said:
door methods? The new stipulation against unlocking phones on your own is really sad.

I really hope we get to see unlock fusion on eBay for future iPhones but I doubt it.

Unlocking is cool because its nice to have the luxury of using the iPhone wherever you want anywhere in the world.

If you have the AT&T GSM version of iPhone 5 you can take it to almost any country, pop a sim, and you're good to go.

It's really sad the laws have changed.
Click to expand...

No.
 
W

wxman2003

Suspended
Apr 12, 2011
2,580
294
Pay full price. And it's the Verizon iphone which is the best unlocked iphone 5, not the AT&T version.
 
G

Gregintosh

macrumors 68000
Jan 29, 2008
1,914
533
Chicago
And the Verizon iPhone 5 comes with gsm fully unlocked already, even if bought on contract. Due to the rules regarding Verizon's LTE spectrum, all LTE iPhones will be unlocked if bought through Verizon.

I feel like since unlocking really took off and every carrier and their momma is supporting the iPhone these days, unlocked models will be more popular (as the extra expense is offset with a smaller phone bill).

Carriers will slowly move away from the current model as the cheaper carriers eat into their profits and they too will offer cheaper plans and unlocked phones. They may take the T-Mobile route that they will simply help people finance phones rather than restrict their use via a contract.

So the future looks good, just the transition period is a hassle. But it will get better.
 
bohbot16

bohbot16

macrumors 6502a
Mar 22, 2009
674
10
Gregintosh said:
And the Verizon iPhone 5 comes with gsm fully unlocked already, even if bought on contract. Due to the rules regarding Verizon's LTE spectrum, all LTE iPhones will be unlocked if bought through Verizon.

I feel like since unlocking really took off and every carrier and their momma is supporting the iPhone these days, unlocked models will be more popular (as the extra expense is offset with a smaller phone bill).

Carriers will slowly move away from the current model as the cheaper carriers eat into their profits and they too will offer cheaper plans and unlocked phones. They may take the T-Mobile route that they will simply help people finance phones rather than restrict their use via a contract.

So the future looks good, just the transition period is a hassle. But it will get better.
Click to expand...

If this happens at AT&T or Verizon, they'll have to offer 0% financing plans to compensate for the sticker shock.
 
W

wxman2003

Suspended
Apr 12, 2011
2,580
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Myiphone7 said:
The AT&T one is global gsm...Verizon is CDMA.
Click to expand...

The verizon iphone 5 is unlocked and has more GSM bands than the AT&T version. All those GSM bands are unlocked, and can be used in almost every country in the world. Plus you are more likely to be able to use LTE on one of the GSM bands as more countries roll out LTE.

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SAD*FACED*CLOWN said:
how do you figure? you can't get LTE via the sim card slot on a Verizion iPhone 5
Click to expand...

Verizon iphone 5 has more unlocked GSM bands than the AT&T phone. As more countries roll out LTE on those GSM bands, you might be able to also use LTE with the Verizon phone. Verizon does not have AT&T's gsm LTE bands, but likely to have some from Europe and elsewhere.
 
M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
0
wxman2003 said:
The verizon iphone 5 is unlocked and has more GSM bands than the AT&T version. All those GSM bands are unlocked, and can be used in almost every country in the world. Plus you are more likely to be able to use LTE on one of the GSM bands as more countries roll out LTE.

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Verizon iphone 5 has more unlocked GSM bands than the AT&T phone. As more countries roll out LTE on those GSM bands, you might be able to also use LTE with the Verizon phone. Verizon does not have AT&T's gsm LTE bands, but likely to have some from Europe and elsewhere.
Click to expand...

From what I've heard is that the AT&T GSM bands are the ones you'll find overseas in most countries.

I've heard that the AT&T one, if you can get it unlocked, is the better one for traveling overseas...?
 
T

thehustleman

macrumors 65816
Jan 3, 2013
1,123
1
Apple can kill all of that bull by simply shipping the phones unlocked and if they don't allow them to be shipped unlocked then don't carry the phone. We remember what happened last time major carriers wouldn't bow to apples outrageous demands...

Problem solved
 
bohbot16

bohbot16

macrumors 6502a
Mar 22, 2009
674
10
thehustleman said:
Apple can kill all of that bull by simply shipping the phones unlocked and if they don't allow them to be shipped unlocked then don't carry the phone. We remember what happened last time major carriers wouldn't bow to apples outrageous demands...

Problem solved
Click to expand...

That doesn't solve the issue of the hardware differences between the AT&T and Verizon iPhone 5s that result in them only working on certain LTE frequencies.
 
W

wxman2003

Suspended
Apr 12, 2011
2,580
294
Myiphone7 said:
From what I've heard is that the AT&T GSM bands are the ones you'll find overseas in most countries.

I've heard that the AT&T one, if you can get it unlocked, is the better one for traveling overseas...?
Click to expand...

Actually Verizon has more GSM bands that can be used in more countries than the AT&T version. Plus the Verizon has more LTE bands. So for traveling...Verizon iphone 5 is the better choice. The A1428 is the AT&T version.

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)

CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)
 
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M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
0
wxman2003 said:
Actually Verizon has more GSM bands that can be used in more countries than the AT&T version. Plus the Verizon has more LTE bands. So for traveling...Verizon iphone 5 is the better choice. The A1428 is the AT&T version.

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)

CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)
Click to expand...

So it's the same except the LTE? And CDMA natch.
 
M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
0
bohbot16 said:
Right. And the LTE bands are set by different physical antenna setups, so you need to buy the one with the LTE bands that you will need.
Click to expand...

Now I'm kind of sad haha. I thought the AT&T one unlocked was the global iPhone.

Now I see the Verizon one is much more global.

I mean, I should've bought a Verizon iPhone 5 on eBay and used it with my plan in AT&T.
 
bohbot16

bohbot16

macrumors 6502a
Mar 22, 2009
674
10
Myiphone7 said:
Now I'm kind of sad haha. I thought the AT&T one unlocked was the global iPhone.

Now I see the Verizon one is much more global.

I mean, I should've bought a Verizon iPhone 5 on eBay and used it with my plan in AT&T.
Click to expand...

The problem with buying the Verizon iPhone 5 and using it on AT&T is that your're limited to HSPA+ speeds. No LTE.
 
B

Brian Y

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2012
3,776
1,064
"Not using the backdoor" - lol - fusion et al ARE backdoors. They're employees of telcoms who are abusing their employers unlock lists.
 
M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
0
bohbot16 said:
The problem with buying the Verizon iPhone 5 and using it on AT&T is that your're limited to HSPA+ speeds. No LTE.
Click to expand...

That's right! Just realized that. Ok then I'm good.

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Brian Y said:
"Not using the backdoor" - lol - fusion et al ARE backdoors. They're employees of telcoms who are abusing their employers unlock lists.
Click to expand...

Yeah and anyone who used fusion etc paid good money for the service.
 
B

Brian Y

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2012
3,776
1,064
Myiphone7 said:
That's right! Just realized that. Ok then I'm good.

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Yeah and anyone who used fusion etc paid good money for the service.
Click to expand...

I could pay good money for a stolen TV. Doesn't make it the right way.

If you've used unlock fusion, etc, what you've done is paid somebody who works for AT&T, Verizon with access to the iTunes portal for unlocking to insert your IMEI as being unlocked, without their employers permission. Apple don't sell access to iTunes - you can only access it if you're an authorised carrier.

Not sure how that doesn't quality as being a "back door"? Maybe if they charged you for software unlocks, since you paid for it, you might think that was more legit?
 
M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
0
Brian Y said:
I could pay good money for a stolen TV. Doesn't make it the right way.

If you've used unlock fusion, etc, what you've done is paid somebody who works for AT&T, Verizon with access to the iTunes portal for unlocking to insert your IMEI as being unlocked, without their employers permission. Apple don't sell access to iTunes - you can only access it if you're an authorised carrier.

Not sure how that doesn't quality as being a "back door"? Maybe if they charged you for software unlocks, since you paid for it, you might think that was more legit?
Click to expand...

It's not my problem. AT&T had to deal with it. At the time when fusion was on eBay unlocking was legal.

It's AT&T's problem. Not mine.
 
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