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Are all carrier iphones the same in terms of LTE?

spinedoc77

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Original poster
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,414
I remember the iPhone 5 having all the same GSM bands including LTE regardless if it was sprint, ATT, tmobile or Verizon. In other words I could buy any one and it would work perfectly on ATT.

So is it the same with the ip6? Specifically I am on ATT, will there be any detriment to buying a non-ATT iPhone 6 and using it on ATT?
 
They use different frequencies, but apple uses a chipset that can accommodate all of them. If the phone is unlocked, it should work on al carriers.
 
maflynn said:
They use different frequencies, but apple uses a chipset that can accommodate all of them. If the phone is unlocked, it should work on al carriers.
Click to expand...

Thanks. So I shouldn't have any concern over buying a non ATT ip6 to use on ATT then?

Also does anyone know if a non ATT ip6 will still work on a MICROCELL?
 
spinedoc77 said:
Thanks. So I shouldn't have any concern over buying a non ATT ip6 to use on ATT then?

Also does anyone know if a non ATT ip6 will still work on a MICROCELL?
Click to expand...

They used to be different models, but as of the 5S I believe the hardware has been unified.
 
spinedoc77 said:
Thanks. So I shouldn't have any concern over buying a non ATT ip6 to use on ATT then?
Click to expand...

Just don't buy a Sprint iPhone. They're basically impossible to unlock.

Personally I'd go with the Verizon iPhone 5C/5S/6/6+. I can confirm that they will work just fine on AT&T.

Also does anyone know if a non ATT ip6 will still work on a MICROCELL?
Click to expand...

I believe it would work, but I can't confirm.
 
All carriers but sprint use the same phone in the US. I am using a Verizon 6+ on ATT, and yes it works with my microcell
 
i've been wondering this as well. I bought a TMobile unlocked Galaxy Note 2 a couple of years back and my ATT SIM wouldnt not show LTE or have LTE speeds on the Tmobile phone. I was wondering if a TMobile iphone will pick up ATT LTE if unlocked
 
scaredpoet said:
Yes. AT&T Microcells are not LTE devices. They are 3G UMTS/HSPA systems, and will work on any device with 3G capability on AT&T.
Click to expand...

Cool thanks. Just last night I was looking at my phones settings and was wondering why it said HSPA while on the microcell. Good to know a nonATT phone will work as long as it has an ATT sim.
 
Are all carrier iphones the same in terms of LTE?

spinedoc77 said:
I remember the iPhone 5 having all the same GSM bands including LTE regardless if it was sprint, ATT, tmobile or Verizon. In other words I could buy any one and it would work perfectly on ATT.



So is it the same with the ip6? Specifically I am on ATT, will there be any detriment to buying a non-ATT iPhone 6 and using it on ATT?
Click to expand...


The Verizon branded iPhone 5 won't work with LTE in the US on AT&T or T-Mobile.

Check dcharleyultra's link. The Verizon iPhone 5 has different bands for LTE than what AT&T or T-Mobile use in the US.


dcharleyultra said:
https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
Click to expand...

Trust Apple's information and tech specs.
 
Last edited:
Winona Northdakota said:
The Verizon branded iPhone 5 won't work with LTE in the US on AT&T or T-Mobile.

Check dcharleyultra's link. The Verizon iPhone 5 has different bands for LTE than what AT&T or T-Mobile use in the US.




Trust Apple's information and tech specs.
Click to expand...

Is that different from the 5/5s which Verizon did work on ATT's LTE? I know this because I had a Verizon 5s which I used on ATT and LTE worked perfectly. Did they change the hardware/radio in the 6?
 
spinedoc77 said:
Is that different from the 5/5s which Verizon did work on ATT's LTE? I know this because I had a Verizon 5s which I used on ATT and LTE worked perfectly. Did they change the hardware/radio in the 6?
Click to expand...

The Verizon and AT&T models of the 5c, 5s, 6, and 6 Plus are identical. The Verizon iPhone 5 did not support AT&T's LTE bands, but did support its HSPA bands.
 
spinedoc77 said:
Is that different from the 5/5s which Verizon did work on ATT's LTE? I know this because I had a Verizon 5s which I used on ATT and LTE worked perfectly. Did they change the hardware/radio in the 6?
Click to expand...

The Verizon iPhone 5 didn't work on AT&T LTE. THE 5c/5s/6/6+ do though.
 
I don't really care about the 5 as I asking about the 6. But this brings us back around in a convoluted circle to saying the Verizon 6 will work just fine with ATT LTE, right?
 
Are all carrier iphones the same in terms of LTE?

spinedoc77 said:
I don't really care about the 5 as I asking about the 6. But this brings us back around in a convoluted circle to saying the Verizon 6 will work just fine with ATT LTE, right?
Click to expand...


It's fine to ask about the iPhone 6, but you posted this about the iPhone 5 and it is incorrect:


spinedoc77 said:
I remember the iPhone 5 having all the same GSM bands including LTE regardless if it was sprint, ATT, tmobile or Verizon. In other words I could buy any one and it would work perfectly on ATT.
Click to expand...

That is why I posted this:


Winona Northdakota said:
The Verizon branded iPhone 5 won't work with LTE in the US on AT&T or T-Mobile.

Check dcharleyultra's link. The Verizon iPhone 5 has different bands for LTE than what AT&T or T-Mobile use in the US.


Trust Apple's information and tech specs.
Click to expand...

In fact, there are plenty of pre-existing threads already devoted to your very question about the iPhone 6. Take a bit of time to read them.
 
Last edited:
Winona Northdakota said:
It's fine to ask about the iPhone 6, but you posted this about the iPhone 5 and it is incorrect:




That is why I posted this:




In fact, there are plenty of pre-existing threads already devoted to your very question about the iPhone 6. Take a bit of time to read them.
Click to expand...

Yeah I meant to say 5s.
 
spinedoc77 said:
I don't really care about the 5 as I asking about the 6. But this brings us back around in a convoluted circle to saying the Verizon 6 will work just fine with ATT LTE, right?
Click to expand...
The link to the specs has your answer if you haven't picked it up from the thread already. Note how carriers are grouped for each model.
 
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