iPhone Upgrade Program Confusion

[cfs]

Hi Forum,

I'm really intereted in the program. The reason why I want to do the program is because I want to grab an iPhone now, but I also want to grab the 8 when it comes out and it seemed like a good option. Plus this is the first time I will have an iPhone and I am unsure if the 128 gigabyte is better for me or the 256 gigabyte. I'm also unsure if I want the Plus or the regular size. Anyway, the program just appealed to me for these reasons.

So, I was ready to bite the bullet and get a phone on the iPhone Upgrade Program with Tmobile and I was online messaging with a rep and they could not answer my question. I asked if the phones provided for iPhone upgrade users had both GSM and CDMA so the user could in fact switch carriers at will. She said no, that it depended upon the provider but I activated it with. I then pointed her in the direction of Apple's website where it states:

When you buy an iPhone with the iPhone Upgrade Program, you aren’t tied to a single carrier and a multiyear service contract. So you can choose the carrier that’s right for you. And once your new iPhone is activated with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you can switch carriers whenever you like.

The rep was confused after this and understood my point. She did not have a clear answer though. Does anyone have an answer to this question?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Closingracer]

If you buy it unlocked from the Apple store it will work on any major carrier in the US.

 

[cfs]

If you buy it unlocked from the Apple store it will work on any major carrier in the US.

Yes but I am looking fr a phone as part of iPhone Upgrade program. Does this statement hold true for this program?

 

[wesk702]

Yes but I am looking fr a phone as part of iPhone Upgrade program. Does this statement hold true for this program?

There is a cdma+gsm model and a gsm model for the US that is locked to carriers. The ATT & T mobile version will not work on Sprint or Verizon. They changed it now which is unfortunate. The official apple unlocked models are unlocked and also if you happen to have a Verizon contract and decide to go GSM in the future.

 

[cfs]

There is a cdma+gsm model and a gsm model for the US that is locked to carriers. The ATT & T mobile version will not work on Sprint or Verizon. They changed it now which is unfortunate. The official apple unlocked models are unlocked and also if you happen to have a Verizon contract and decide to go GSM in the future.

Thanks. So are you saying if onyou decides to do the IUP and activated with Tmobile, Apple will issue a CDMA+GSM model? I know if one were to buy the phone at T-Mobile or AT&T this wouldn't happen but I was assuming that if one was to buy an apple for the upgrade program that they would have this duel radio phone for those in the IUP.

 

[predation]

Thanks. So are you saying if onyou decides to do the IUP and activated with Tmobile, Apple will issue a CDMA+GSM model? I know if one were to buy the phone at T-Mobile or AT&T this wouldn't happen but I was assuming that if one was to buy an apple for the upgrade program that they would have this duel radio phone for those in the IUP.

I've always wondered this. I'd want the Verizon version if this is the case.

 

[melman101]

Thanks. So are you saying if onyou decides to do the IUP and activated with Tmobile, Apple will issue a CDMA+GSM model? I know if one were to buy the phone at T-Mobile or AT&T this wouldn't happen but I was assuming that if one was to buy an apple for the upgrade program that they would have this duel radio phone for those in the IUP.

It is my understanding you are getting a phone that works with your carrier. If you use the AT&T / TMobile carrier with the IUP, you will not be able to switch to Verizon or Sprint.

 

[jent]

If you look at the carrier here you can see if the phone is GSM/CDMA and which frequencies it supports.

 

[PaladinGuy]

I ended up going ahead and jumping to Verizon, which I was considering giving a shot soon anyway, because of this very topic. I was in the same boat as the OP and wanted to be free to use any carrier I wanted, without being locked in. I also wanted the option to upgrade to the iPhone 8 (or whatever it ends up being called) next year.

My first iPhone 7 was bought while I was on T-Mobile, and I realized that it would NOT work on any CDMA based networks. I would have been limited to at&t and T-Mobile. In the iPhone Upgrade Program, only the Verizon and Sprint models have the Qualcomm modem, which can be used on any network worldwide. The only other alternative is paying in full for a SIM free model (same model as the one Verizon customers get). The at&t and T-Mobile models use the intel modem, which can ONLY use GSM networks.

 

[coolio93]

I did this just a few weeks ago but you have to do it in store. Tell them you want the unlocked iphone on the upgrade program and you want to activate it on tmobile. My rep didn't know how to do it but another rep in the store was able to do it without any issues. I was able to get the Qualcomm modem 7+ with tmobile this way on the upgrade program

 

[cfs]

Hey all. Went to a different Applease Store today and guess what? They said if I am on Tmobile and want a SIM Free phone with Qualcomm (A1661) with IUP, then they would just put a Tmobile sim inside from the store and activate it. I told them the problem I had and they said that they never heard of that and of course they would give a SIM Free version as part of IUP program. Crazy. Now I know the store to go to.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Hey all. Went to a different Applease Store today and guess what? They said if I am on Tmobile and want a SIM Free phone with Qualcomm (A1661) with IUP, then they would just put a Tmobile sim inside from the store and activate it. I told them the problem I had and they said that they never heard of that and of course they would give a SIM Free version as part of IUP program. Crazy. Now I know the store to go to.

That's great. Glad it worked out well for you. It's always hit or miss depending on the store and who helps you. I think they're officially supposed to give GSM models to T-Mobile and at&t customers. The guy that exchanged mine for me said he wished they hadn't used two modems because it makes it more difficult for apple employees, too.

 

[wesk702]

I've always wondered this. I'd want the Verizon version if this is the case.

This is why the Verizon model is the most versatile one but you need to have a Verizon account to get it when using the IUP. The best option is to get the sim free unlocked model from Apple. That can go anywhere.