Carrier As an AT&T user, should I get the AT&T or T-Mobile iPhone 7?

[omizzle]

From what I understand, the Verizon/Sprint phones would technically be the best option, but those are locked at launch until they release some "sim-free" version?

That said, unlocked compatibility with GSM is most important to me, so should I get the T-Mobile or AT&T model? Or does it matter?

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Verizon phones are all unlocked, however you need a verizon account to order.

 

[omizzle]

Verizon phones are all unlocked, however you need a verizon account to order.

Ah **** ok. What about Sprint?

 

[benjamintm]

Ah **** ok. What about Sprint?

Verizon and Sprint are CDMA based, while T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM based. You won't be able to use a Verizon/Sprint iPhone 7 on AT&T/T-Mobile, or vice versa:
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma/

If you want an unlocked phone from the start, T-Mobile ships unlocked (just put your AT&T sim in). With an AT&T phone you will need to contact AT&T to unlock.

Ben

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Verizon and Sprint are CDMA based, while T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM based. You won't be able to use a Verizon/Sprint iPhone 7 on AT&T/T-Mobile, or vice versa:
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma/

Ben

Not correct.

 

[ClutchThese]

Cellular and Wireless
Model A1660*
Model A1661*
FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900, 2100 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Model A1778*
Model A1784*
Models A1778 and A1784 do not support CDMA networks, such as those used by Verizon and Sprint.

FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
All models
802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO
Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology
NFC

From what I've been able to gather, we will want the A1660 or A1661 models. This will be the ones to support both GSM and CDMA.

 

[benjamintm]

Not correct.

You're right. Apparently the Sprint/Verizon model will support GSM. I misread that part of the article.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

You're right. Apparently the Sprint/Verizon model will support GSM. I misread that part of the article.

Not your fault, changed for this release. Guess issues with the chip, royalties, etc. Kind of a bummer tbh, takes value away of the unlocked phone and adds value to certain models.

 

[perkedel]

That said, unlocked compatibility with GSM is most important to me, so should I get the T-Mobile or AT&T model? Or does it matter?

I got the TMo last year unlocked. iPhone 7 they have the same sku a1778/a1784 for ATT/TMo.
Other than T-Mobile account bookmark in Safari on DFU, no other non stock app installed. Not sure about the AT&T one.