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Buy Now, Or Wait - TMobile/Unlock

A

Andrew D.

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 17, 2007
401
0
Chicago, IL
I tried searching all over to find an answer but no luck so I'm posting up this thread in hopes of finding an answer.. I do apologize though if these questions were already asked, would you be so kind to direct me to the correct thread/site that would be great. Otherwise, if you don't have anything knowledgeable to say, continue on and read another thread, thanks!

So now, moving on to the main event, to wait or not to wait that is the question. My plan or idea for me personally is; I don't plan on going to AT&T so I will be unlocking the iPhone for TMobile. Here comes my questions:

1. Should I wait for the 3G iPhone, what are the chances it will unlock? I know Jobs did state in an article I read that they were working on increasing security for the new model so it would be harder to unlock.

2. Will the 3G iPhone work on the TMobile network if unlocked? I know speed will increase with 3G technology but on the TMobile network, will it be applicable? Does it change the current speed for phone use, sms, etc?

3. What other upgrades are notable (if anyone may know at this point) on the 3G iPhone that will make a big impact comparing it to the current iPhone? I know obviously newer, improved models of anything will be better then their predecessors.

I once again apologize, this most is sorta long but if you did read it thanks for taking the time. Also, if you all would please reply, that would be great as well! Happy week to everyone!
 
Hello. First of all, i live in Chicago as well, and i personally think T-Mobile sucks. You should really switch to AT&T.

1) Well it is more than likely going to be hacked an unlocked, but the question is when. No one will know that answer now, so that is something you'll just have to play by ear.

2) T-Mobile doesn't have 3G. So if the next iPhone doesn't have any ground breaking upgrades than the current iPhone, buying a 3G iPhone would be stupid. 3G Cards are backwards compatible and will connect to EDGE networks and make calls just as good though.

3) Well its confirmed that it is going to have a new design, but other things are all rumors. I repeat, ALL RUMORS: thicker, all black device with the options of colors, 2nd camera for video chat, bigger storage space, etc.
 
nickspohn said:
3) Well its confirmed that it is going to have a new design,
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that's true.
Seeing as Apple has never made any remarks regarding a 3G iPhone, that can't be confirmed.

And even when T-Mobile gets 3G, a 3G iPhone wouldn't work on it, as the radio operates at a different frequency than ATT's HSDPA.
 
JBaker122586 said:
I wouldn't say that's true.
Seeing as Apple has never made any remarks regarding a 3G iPhone, that can't be confirmed.

And even when T-Mobile gets 3G, a 3G iPhone wouldn't work on it, as the radio operates at a different frequency than ATT's HSDPA.
Click to expand...

http://www.ilounge.com/images/uploads/iphone2b.jpg

Most if not all rumors point to a new design. There was also an interview at Engadget with (forgot his name) that said himself they are 90% done with the new design. Where that image is correct or not, it is going to look slightly different.

Edit: http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/goldman-sachs-says-second-gen-iphone-is-in-final-design-phase/
 
That's from December, when an analyst got his information from "the usual assortment of moderately-reliable Asian component suppliers."
He went on to say that there would be a new :apple:TV announced at MacWorld with an included LCD screen.

Yeah... definitely not a confirmed new design.
 
JBaker122586 said:
That's from December, when an analyst got his information from "the usual assortment of moderately-reliable Asian component suppliers."
He went on to say that there would be a new :apple:TV announced at MacWorld with an included LCD screen.

Yeah... definitely not a confirmed new design.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if that is the right article either. I remember it saying 90% completed. But,

Address this then:
http://www.ilounge.com/images/uploads/iphone2b.jpg

Because i'm sure this is fake too, and the manufacturers will get their dimensions a week before the iPhone goes on sale.
 
I don't know what that is, though.
It's certainly not any Apple document. Just because some random foreign accessories maker has some amateur-looking pictures of a "new iPhone" design doesn't mean it's true.

I'm not saying the iPhone definitely WON'T be redesigned, I'm just saying at this point, we know absolutely nothing about it for certain.
 
JBaker122586 said:
I don't know what that is, though.
It's certainly not any Apple document. Just because some random foreign accessories maker has some amateur-looking pictures of a "new iPhone" design doesn't mean it's true.

I'm not saying the iPhone definitely WON'T be redesigned, I'm just saying at this point, we know absolutely nothing about it for certain.
Click to expand...

That isn't the official picture, it's just a mockup from iLounge of the real dimensions.
 
For the main post, i always say to this kind of post to wait since we are very close to the most likely date of the release. Also if you dont need it probably there will be a significant price cut on older models.

And yeah agree with the guys saying we are not sure of a new design even if they release may be is not better or maybe it is.
 
JBaker122586 said:
I don't know what that is, though.
It's certainly not any Apple document. Just because some random foreign accessories maker has some amateur-looking pictures of a "new iPhone" design doesn't mean it's true.

I'm not saying the iPhone definitely WON'T be redesigned, I'm just saying at this point, we know absolutely nothing about it for certain.
Click to expand...

I agree. Nothing is official, it could be a year before we see a new iPhone, it could be a month. It could be a flip phone for all we know. We can, though, make educated guesses, some with more confidence than others, about the details, but we won't know for sure until Steve Jobs walks out on a stage holding something small in his hand.
 
The trouble is Tmobiles 3g is on a different frequency than AT&T's so the iphone will probably never be compatible with their 3g unless a multi mode phone is developed

Tmobile runs at 1700mhz and AT&t runs at 2100mhz

Personally I'm getting a current gen iPhone here shortly. At the very least I can sell it at a later date if the new one is remarkable. Either way best I'll get until I switch carriers is Edge.
 
Cedhed said:
The trouble is Tmobiles 3g is on a different frequency than AT&T's so the iphone will probably never be compatible with their 3g unless a multi mode phone is developed

Tmobile runs at 1700mhz and AT&t runs at 2100mhz
Click to expand...

Actually I believe t-mobile uses 1700/2100 and AT&T uses 1900/2100 for 3G

You would have overlap but without a phone that uses the 1700 band you will be severely crippled.

No idea if the iphone will support 1700
 
Cedhed said:
The trouble is Tmobiles 3g is on a different frequency than AT&T's so the iphone will probably never be compatible with their 3g unless a multi mode phone is developed

Tmobile runs at 1700mhz and AT&t runs at 2100mhz

Personally I'm getting a current gen iPhone here shortly. At the very least I can sell it at a later date if the new one is remarkable. Either way best I'll get until I switch carriers is Edge.
Click to expand...

They would have to do a multiband 3G, what if someone buys a 3G T-Mobile iPhone in Germany/Austria and comes to the US on a trip?
 
My guess would be scale back to Edge. Or access through the AT&T network. Dunno, not hugely familiar with international phone behavior.
 
gkarris said:
They would have to do a multiband 3G, what if someone buys a 3G T-Mobile iPhone in Germany/Austria and comes to the US on a trip?
Click to expand...

The T-mobile Germany phone uses the 1900/2100mhz band I believe. AT&T bought the 1900mhz band from PCS over here so T-mo can't use that. All they got was 1700Mhz from the Gov - which can marginally cover a bit more space.

I'm getting an iPhone this week and unlocking for use on T-mobile. I suppose you can wait and get a 16GB potentially for the price of the 8GB but for me that doesn't really matter.
 
gkarris said:
They would have to do a multiband 3G, what if someone buys a 3G T-Mobile iPhone in Germany/Austria and comes to the US on a trip?
Click to expand...

You can't use another country's T-Mobile if you have T-Mobile in Germany... so it doesn't matter. You'd end up roaming on whatever the nearest cell tower is in whatever country you're in.

If you have T-Mobile service in Germany, you have T-Mobile service in Germany. Not everywhere that has T-Mobile.

As someone else said, T-Mobile 3G in other countries operates at a different frequency than US T-Mobile.
 
I would hope the next iphone is multiband 3G.

1. This would be a great way for ATT to get added revenue for users who travel internationally.

2. It allows apple to create one device to sell to all regions (like the edge V1)

3. Allows them to sell more phones (despite what :apple: acknowledges unlocked phones help their overall numbers tremendously)
 
So since the new 3G iPhone won't be supported by TMobile, my best bet is to purchase one now if I anything or just wait for a price cut?
 
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