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Carrier New SIM-Free iPhone SE on Sprint

For the iPhone 6S/6S+ SIM Free models (i.e. the A1633 and A1634), on the page listing the bands/carrier compatibility, it notes that they also are compatible with what is listed for the GSM/CDMA specific models. For example:
Models A1633 and A1634 also support LTE networks listed for Models A1688 and A1687
Click to expand...
Source: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/#iphone-6s-iphone-6s-plus

However, for the iPhone SE Sim Free Model (A1662), it does not have this note that it also has the bands the other models listed below have (i.e. A1723): http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/#iphone-se

Are we assuming this is a mistake and the SIM free SE has all bands listed that the A1723 has as well?

Essentially, I am buying a phone contract free to be used on Verizon to keep my unlimited data. Is there any benefit at all to buy the Verizon version at full price instead of the SIM-Free option?

Thanks
 
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eyoungren said:
@pearstar Is this an exception to Sprint's new policy that a new Sprint phone MUST be active on Sprint's network for a minimum of 50 days?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure either. I'll just walk in to the local Apple store with my AT&T sim card and ask for this model when it's released.
 
Applejuiced said:
That's because it's not really a brand new redesigned iPhone that will draw much interest or long sold out lines.
It's just a lower end model for less money like the iPhone 5c was.
Click to expand...
You would think the way people are blowing this up that Apple had launched the iPhone 7 on Monday. ;)
 
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Does anybody know the difference between model A1723(GSM) and A1723(CDMA)?

Thanks.
 
FWIW, I purchased the SIM-free iPhone SE from Apple directly (model A1662). I just activated it on Sprint with no hassle from them. I had ordered a new SIM, and I had to call them to help me manually program it, meaning I couldn't activate it online or using their automated system, but now all is working well. Wanted to get this word out to anyone interested.
 
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For the record there is nothing "advanced" about Sprint or their crappy network. Worst out of all the major cell carriers. Probably even worse than Metro PCS, lol.
 
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HickDead said:
For the record there is nothing "advanced" about Sprint or their crappy network. Worst out of all the major cell carriers. Probably even worse than Metro PCS, lol.
Click to expand...
I think it depends on location.

Sprint is pretty damn good here in Phoenix. Just not in many of the places I happened to be is all, which is ultimately why I left.
 
browbri said:
FWIW, I purchased the SIM-free iPhone SE from Apple directly (model A1662). I just activated it on Sprint with no hassle from them. I had ordered a new SIM, and I had to call them to help me manually program it, meaning I couldn't activate it online or using their automated system, but now all is working well. Wanted to get this word out to anyone interested.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate on how? I'm currently looking to do the same thing. Anytime I make any changes to my device/account I always call them directly. I currently have an active iPhone that I imagine I could use the SIM card in it to activate the iPhone SE. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.
 
beathookup said:
Can you elaborate on how? I'm currently looking to do the same thing. Anytime I make any changes to my device/account I always call them directly. I currently have an active iPhone that I imagine I could use the SIM card in it to activate the iPhone SE. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

When I first called Sprint to inquire about activating this particular model (which OP rightly quoted from Apple's website about it not being compatible), I talked to tech support who said it would be no problem. They also told me I could repurpose an existing SIM, but I ordered a new SIM. Once it arrived, I called customer service and told them I wanted to activate a new device. They asked me what kind of phone and I told them iPhone SE. I made no mention of which model. They simply asked me for the IMEI and the SIM ID. Though the rep didn't say anything to me directly, it seemed like he was having a minor issue getting it to activate because he was mumbling some things to himself about "let's try this..." etc. He then had me type a code into the dialer. I did so and the device went into an activation sequence which turned out successful.

I can't intelligently speak to the device's performance due to any missing bands or the other technical discussion on this thread. But, my device has had no issues with voice or data service since activation. Data speeds compare just fine to my other devices I've had on Sprint in my coverage area.

That all being said, I don't understand why Apple has stated on their website that the A1662 is not compatible on Sprint. I called Apple and Sprint about this, and the people I talked to couldn't tell me either, though that might not be worth much.
 
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browbri said:
That all being said, I don't understand why Apple has stated on their website that the A1662 is not compatible on Sprint. I called Apple and Sprint about this, and the people I talked to couldn't tell me either, though that might not be worth much.
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I can. But it's pure speculation on my part.

I would guess that there is no technical reason for it not to work, but that Sprint would rather have you buying the Sprint model directly from them. If you do, the phone is locked to their network (even if you paid full price for it) for a minimum of 50 days. They make money off you.

So, if you are a current or potential Sprint customer who's just been told that the SIM free model won't work on Sprint where do you go? Sprint. Or at least if you go to Apple you get the Sprint model.

Sprint probably (again a guess) decided not to whitelist the SIM-Free model IMEIs which would explain (to me at least) why your CSR had such trouble getting the phone activated.
 
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eyoungren said:
I can. But it's pure speculation on my part.

I would guess that there is no technical reason for it not to work, but that Sprint would rather have you buying the Sprint model directly from them. If you do, the phone is locked to their network (even if you paid full price for it) for a minimum of 50 days. They make money off you.

So, if you are a current or potential Sprint customer who's just been told that the SIM free model won't work on Sprint where do you go? Sprint. Or at least if you go to Apple you get the Sprint model.

Sprint probably (again a guess) decided not to whitelist the SIM-Free model IMEIs which would explain (to me at least) why your CSR had such trouble getting the phone activated.
Click to expand...
Looking at the LTE band support for the SE, though, it appears that unlike with the iPhone 6S, Apple limited the LTE support for the "everyone else" phone while the "Sprint" phone is essentially the rest-of-the-world phone. It's the same situation as with the iPhone 6. With the 6S, the rest-of-the-world phone was the "everyone but AT&T model". It probably has more to do with the SE being based on the iPhone 5S. The AT&T model lacks Band 30 support, for instance. It does add Band 12 support, but T-Mobile probably insisted on it (and Band 12 overlaps with Band 17 anyway) while AT&T did not insist on Band 30 as it hasn't rolled out much yet.
 
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eyoungren said:
So, if you are a current or potential Sprint customer who's just been told that the SIM free model won't work on Sprint where do you go? Sprint. Or at least if you go to Apple you get the Sprint model.
Click to expand...

I was in this boat. I didn't wanna buy from Sprint, so I tried to buy the Sprint version from Apple. Interestingly enough, the website wouldn't let me due to "a problem with my account". Called and confirmed with Sprint, they said there is no problem with my account. Called Apple, the sales rep tried to manually override the error but was unable to. They could override it if I was a Sprint Business customer, but not for a Personal account. Go figure that one....sheesh.

Thus, this ordeal caused me to buy the A1662 and see if it would work, which it did as noted in my previous post.

I stick with Sprint because I have a grandfathered Framily plan and coverage is great in my area, so for what I pay no other carrier can even come close to beating my deal.

But, the second Sprint moves a muscle and tries to eff with my plan, I'm gone. Don't like their games and their coverage blows chunks the other places I travel.
 
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browbri said:
When I first called Sprint to inquire about activating this particular model (which OP rightly quoted from Apple's website about it not being compatible), I talked to tech support who said it would be no problem. They also told me I could repurpose an existing SIM, but I ordered a new SIM.
Click to expand...

Hi browbri,

Many thanks for sharing your experience activating one of these on Sprint!

Warning: I am going to throw a bunch of annoying questions your way! Any answers would be much appreciated. I'm trying to find out if re-purposing SIMs will work only for certain Sprint iPhone models...

What model phone did your existing SIM come from?
What prompted you to get a new SIM instead of re-purposing an old one?
How did you order a new SIM?
Was it from Sprint?
Did they charge you?
Did you prompt them by saying it was for an iPhone SE specifically?

There seems to be some confusion on this Sprint MVNO forum about which SIM model (SIMOLW416C or SIMGLW436C) works on the SE. I have a Sprint iPhone 5, and at least this Ting page seems to indicate that there are different ones for different iPhones:
IUQWQFh.png


Thanks
 
jorwex said:
Hi browbri,

Many thanks for sharing your experience activating one of these on Sprint!

Warning: I am going to throw a bunch of annoying questions your way! Any answers would be much appreciated. I'm trying to find out if re-purposing SIMs will work only for certain Sprint iPhone models...

What model phone did your existing SIM come from?
What prompted you to get a new SIM instead of re-purposing an old one?
How did you order a new SIM?
Was it from Sprint?
Did they charge you?
Did you prompt them by saying it was for an iPhone SE specifically?

There seems to be some confusion on this Sprint MVNO forum about which SIM model (SIMOLW416C or SIMGLW436C) works on the SE. I have a Sprint iPhone 5, and at least this Ting page seems to indicate that there are different ones for different iPhones:
IUQWQFh.png


Thanks
Click to expand...
I'll just jump in here and speak to your iPhone 5 since that's what you mentioned you have.

The part number for the SIM on the iPhone 5 is different than that of the 5c and above because the SIM for the 5 is paired to the phone. Without the SIM in a 5 that is paired to that 5, you get no LTE on Sprint (or it's MVNOs). You can swap SIMs from a 5 to a 5, but not from a 5 to a 5c or above or vice versa.

The SIM on the 5c and above does not pair the phone with the SIM card.

Hence, the iPhone 5 on Sprint and it's MVNOs can only be international unlocked while the 5c and above can be fully unlocked (international/domestic).
 
neokao said:
Does anybody know the difference between model A1723(GSM) and A1723(CDMA)?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

there is no technical difference. any difference would be the book of serial numbers that the carrier has or gazelle's and resellers thinking one is more valuable then the other

when i bought the 6 plus and 6s plus i had to wait anywhere from 50 to 360 days for a carrier to finally agree to put the phone in their book , so you can activate it on a new line of service

other then that, its the sim card in the phone that is the only difference
 
jorwex said:
What model phone did your existing SIM come from?
What prompted you to get a new SIM instead of re-purposing an old one?
How did you order a new SIM?
Was it from Sprint?
Did they charge you?
Did you prompt them by saying it was for an iPhone SE specifically?
Click to expand...


1) I was switching from Android - the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+. I tried popping that SIM into the iPhone just to see what would happen, but the SE locked it. I think this is because with Sprint you have to associate the IMEI with the SIM (I think).
2) I wanted a new SIM just in case there was a problem repurposing the old one. I didn't wanna be left without service or have to visit a Sprint store to have the issue fixed. Another reason is because I was gonna sell my Samsung and thought it would sell easier with the SIM included.
3) To order, Customer Service told me to call 866-789-8292, which is the direct line for Order Support. This is all I did.
4) Yes, it was from Sprint.
5) Said they would just charge me for shipping - I paid $12 for expedited shipping (1-3 business days), arrived in 1 business day. It's $6 for standard option, 3-5 business days. I haven't seen this charge hit my bill yet, prob next cycle.
6) They asked me what device it was for, so I told them iPhone SE.

Hope this helps. Let me know if other questions.
 
Awesome. Thanks for the info browbri and eyoungren.

@browbri: One more question. Can you confirm that everything related to Sprint's network seems to work on the phone, other than Band 41 (SMS, MMS, voice)? There is feedback on the RingPlus forum about an iPhone 6 activating on Sprint's network but not having SMS or voice.

If all is well, I will place an order with Sprint for a new SIM.

Thanks!
 
jorwex said:
Awesome. Thanks for the info browbri and eyoungren.

@browbri: One more question. Can you confirm that everything related to Sprint's network seems to work on the phone, other than Band 41 (SMS, MMS, voice)? There is feedback on the RingPlus forum about an iPhone 6 activating on Sprint's network but not having SMS or voice.

If all is well, I will place an order with Sprint for a new SIM.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

So, again I can't comment as to specific band questions because admittedly I'm a dunce when it comes to that stuff. But, I have had no problems whatsoever with SMS, MMS, voice, data, or anything else since activation. Everything works as I feel it should. I don't notice any performance differences than my other devices (which have all been Android devices purchased from Sprint until now). I don't use much data, but what data I do use it all works just dandy and the speed is acceptable, or at least what I'm used to.
 
browbri said:
So, again I can't comment as to specific band questions because admittedly I'm a dunce when it comes to that stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks browbri.

Since you have scratched my back, I'll scratch yours. If you are curious:
Sprint supports bands 25, 26, and 41, but the SIM-Free iPhone SE doesn't support band 41 ("Spark").

To see the bands for which you are currently receiving service:
  1. Dial (star)3001#12345#(star) and tap call to launch the built-in Field Test app
  2. Tap Serving Cell Info
  3. Check the Frequency Band Indicator
So you should see either 25 or 26 with your iPhone SE. Here's a screenshot I found for Verizon (band 13):

IMG_1982_575px.png
 
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Applejuiced said:
That's because it's not really a brand new redesigned iPhone that will draw much interest or long sold out lines.
It's just a lower end model for less money like the iPhone 5c was.
Click to expand...

But unlike the 5c, it has most of the functional features of the flagship phone, costs less, and all 64GB models are completely sold out until May.
 
jorwex said:
So you should see either 25 or 26 with your iPhone SE.
Click to expand...
jorwex, thanks a bunch for the crash course. Mine is currently showing band 26. With respect to band 41 not being supported, perhaps then this is another explanation for Apple saying on their website that the SIM-free iPhone SE is not compatible with Sprint??
 
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