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Thank you for going through all that trouble! Very valuable post! :apple:

You're very welcome! Btw, here are the transmit combinations that were tested (i.e. available) on the new CDMA models:

iphone_5sc_sar.png
 
I just went and looked up the SAR reports at the FCC. Not only did they not list CDMA and LTE (SVLTE) as a test combination, they actually wrote a letter about it (E2642A is the CDMA version)

As expected. People will have to wait for VoLTE.
 
The 5s just might be worth upgrading too after all.

I have AT&T (primary) and Verizon (secondary). I sure hope with an unlock service via eBay it will factory unlock the AT&T iPhone 5s, so I can use it with my Verizon SIM..

Now I just need to see if I can get Verizon to activate a Nano-SIM on a Non-nano device or I might just have to get a nano sim cutter..
 
As expected. People will have to wait for VoLTE.

Unfortunately, that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

I spoke with a VZW engineer who designed the network for an entire region. She said that VoLTE isn't coming any time soon due to quality issues.
 
Versatility?

I think I was confusing myself yesterday. I read that the ATT/Verizon/Tmobile iphones are the same model and assumed that this meant that that iphone 5s will not come unlocked for verizon. I neglected the fact that the Sprint and Verizon iPhone 5 are the same model and the sprint one is not unlocked and verizon is. My mistake.

So nothing should change. Verizon iPhone 5s/5c models should still be unlocked and these should work on LTE now on AT&T and Tmobile as well.

Is there away of knowing if the Verizon iPhone 5s will in fact be able to go on AT&T and T-Mobile if unlocked? And if the phone is unlocked, would that mean all you would have to do is walk into any Verizon store or Best Buy, buy the phone out-right, pop in an ATT sim and all is well with LTE?

That would, in a sense, mean the Verizon iPhone 5s would be the most versatile phone.
 
Is there away of knowing if the Verizon iPhone 5s will in fact be able to go on AT&T and T-Mobile if unlocked? And if the phone is unlocked, would that mean all you would have to do is walk into any Verizon store or Best Buy, buy the phone out-right, pop in an ATT sim and all is well with LTE?

That would, in a sense, mean the Verizon iPhone 5s would be the most versatile phone.

It still has to be unlocked, but yes. That's not always as trivial as it seems.
 
Is there away of knowing if the Verizon iPhone 5s will in fact be able to go on AT&T and T-Mobile if unlocked? And if the phone is unlocked, would that mean all you would have to do is walk into any Verizon store or Best Buy, buy the phone out-right, pop in an ATT sim and all is well with LTE?

That would, in a sense, mean the Verizon iPhone 5s would be the most versatile phone.

It still has to be unlocked, but yes. That's not always as trivial as it seems.

But since the VZW, ATT, and T-Mobile phones will allegedly all be the same model, that should make that model the most versatile.

BL.
 
It still has to be unlocked, but yes. That's not always as trivial as it seems.

If you buy the Verizon "version" it will be unlocked, period. It has to based on FCC requirements to operate on their LTE network. So, go to a VZW store and get one and pay full price. Unlocked....bingo!
 
But since the VZW, ATT, and T-Mobile phones will allegedly all be the same model, that should make that model the most versatile.

BL.

Well yes and no. They're all the same model but each carrier has different versions. For instance, the iPhone 5 is model A1429 for both Verizon and Sprint. However, the sprint version isn't unlocked and can only be unlocked by Sprint for international use. The Verizon model on the other hand is unlocked and ready to use with whatever GSM network you wish, domestic or international.

Hope this helps.
 
Where did you find this info?

Go to the FCC Authorization Search page at:

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm

Enter the Grantee Code : BCG (that's Apple), and a search date range:

fcc_search.png

You'll get a result list, then click "Next 10" to find the iPhones...

fcc_search2.png

Click on "Detail" and you'll get a list of documents. In this case, including the SVLTE letter and my favorite, the SAR report which lists the frequencies and sometimes the antenna locations.

fcc_search3.png
 
Go to the FCC Authorization Search page at:

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm

Enter the Grantee Code : BCG (that's Apple), and a search date range:

View attachment 433846

You'll get a result list, then click "Next 10" to find the iPhones...

View attachment 433847

Click on "Detail" and you'll get a list of documents. In this case, including the SVLTE letter and my favorite, the SAR report which lists the frequencies and sometimes the antenna locations.

View attachment 433848
Thank you, that was incredibly helpful!!
 
Well yes and no. They're all the same model but each carrier has different versions. For instance, the iPhone 5 is model A1429 for both Verizon and Sprint. However, the sprint version isn't unlocked and can only be unlocked by Sprint for international use. The Verizon model on the other hand is unlocked and ready to use with whatever GSM network you wish, domestic or international.

Hope this helps.

That's our point. In the US for the 5c, model A1532 will work for T-Mobile, VZW, and ATT. For the 5s, model A1533 will work for T-Mobile, ATT, and VZW.

Only Sprint will have a separate model. So getting the VZW model for unlocking won't make a difference, because ATT, T-Mobile, and VZW will be using the same model of phone for the 5c and 5s respectively. Sprint is the red-headed stepchild in this game, as it will have its own model (A1456 for the 5c, A1453 for the 5s).

So A1532 and A1533 will be the most versatile model to get.

BL.
 
Just to clarify, some iPhone models, even though they share the same model number, are sold in separate GSM and CDMA versions. The A1532 (iPhone 5c) and A1533 (iPhone 5s), like the A1429 (iPhone 5) of last year, each come in a GSM and CDMA version. Even though they are the exact same hardware, the CDMA capabilities of the GSM version are disabled in firmware. In fact, the GSM and CDMA versions ship with a different set of IMEIs, and the GSM versions are not assigned MEIDs. This has been Apple's approach since the iPhone 4S. So, unfortunately, even a factory unlock will not bring CDMA capability to an AT&T/T-Mobile iPhone. The Verizon version, on the other hand, should allow you full access to Voice/3G/LTE on all of these networks.

So, specifically, the Verizon versions of the A1532 and A1533 would be the most versatile since they could be used on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon or other compatible networks.
 
Am I missing something?

So, specifically, the Verizon versions of the A1532 and A1533 would be the most versatile since they could be used on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon or other compatible networks.

The Sprint version (A1456 & A1453) has all the bands of the Verizon/AT&T one (with a couple extra)...and is the only one that comes unlocked, according to Apple. This document talks all about it, and mentions that the Sprint phone will indeed work with a Verizon or AT&T nano sim.

Relevant excerpts:

"The unlocked iPhone 5c model is A1456. The unlocked iPhone 5s model is A1453."

"You can activate and use the unlocked iPhone on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T or T-Mobile in the United States. The unlocked iPhone 5c and unlocked iPhone 5s will also work on the CDMA networks of Sprint and Verizon Wireless."
 
The Sprint version (A1456 & A1453) has all the bands of the Verizon/AT&T one (with a couple extra)...and is the only one that comes unlocked, according to Apple. This document talks all about it, and mentions that the Sprint phone will indeed work with a Verizon or AT&T nano sim.

That's a very interesting link. If this is indeed the case, it's a bit of a departure for Apple. It would make sense for Apple to sell the unlocked iPhone as CDMA-capable since most CDMA networks are becoming CDMA/LTE hybrids, and therefore the CDMA provisioning is done from the SIM. In this case, you would be correct that the A1456 and A1453 would be the most versatile models since they include the two additional bands on which Sprint plans to deploy LTE. But it's highly improbable that the Sprint SKUs of these models would come unlocked. It would likely only be the ones sold specifically as unlocked and at full retail price.

Nonetheless, the article currently linked on the US Apple Store directly contradicts the other article. It states:

"The unlocked iPhone 5c model is A1532 (GSM). The unlocked iPhone 5s model is A1533 (GSM). The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA-based carriers, including Sprint and Verizon Wireless."
 
Hope this helps... The MOST current information on the iphone 5s

The VERIZON IPHONE 5S... Has all the necessary bands to work on 3G and 4G LTE ALL Carriers listed EXCEPT SPRINT

The AT&T and TMOBILE IPHONE 5s will work fully on ALL Carriers except Verizon (only 4G LTE Will work, no Voice) and Not at all with SPRINT

the SPRINT IPHONE 5S is compatible with itself and all Canadian Carriers but with MANY Restrictions...

Sprints new network is Partially compatible with other carriers but REFUSES To open its network
 

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