iPhone XR Reception problems using unlocked Verizon Xr on AT&T

[jay968]

Several months ago, I started an AT&T account with an AT&T branded iphone Xr. Everything seemed ok but for various reasons, I ended up returning the phone, canceling the plan and went to Verizon with a Verizon branded iphone Xr. Once again, everything seemed fine and I eventually unlocked the phone.
About a month ago, I decided to go back to AT&T but this time using the unlocked Verizon branded Xr. What I found was that the AT&T signal strength was absolutely horrible. For instance, about a 15 mile stretch of Southern Califonia freeway in the LA suburbs usually had 1 bar, maybe none, or 2 at best for the entire 15 miles. I had never had a problem here in the past, even when I used to be on AT&T. Even my wife's AT&T Galaxy works fine there.
I once again disconnected the AT&T account and went back to Verizon, now with wonderful coverage along this same stretch of freeway.
So I am wondering just what happened on that day I was with AT&T. My first thought is that the Verizon branded iphone was somehow just not working correctly on AT&T. I HAVE heard cell phone store reps claim that their branded phones will work better for various reasons than will unlocked phones from other carriers, but I have always been skeptical of this.

Is it true?
IS there any possibility that a 15 mile stretch of freeway just HAPPENED to have had issues on that one day with AT&T? Frankly I find that highly unlikely but I suppose it's possible?

Any thoughts? DO branded phones work better on the carrier which they were meant to be used on (especially iphones which I am told is just not so)?

BTW, before anyone goes about talking about CDMA vs GSM...I am aware of these but it's my understanding that an iphone XR will work on LTE on either Verizon or AT&T. And yes the phone when used on AT&T DID indicate LTE.

 

[now i see it]

Did you only test it for one day?
AT&T can go down or get congestion at any time. Sometimes it's fast, sometimes not. Sometimes strong signal, sometimes not.
Gotta test it for longer than one day to draw any conclusions.

 

[jay968]

I suppose I should have but I would not have been able to do the return after that day for quite awhile. So I bsically came here to get opinions as to whether or not the notion of phones maybe not working correctly with other carriers has any validity.

 

[akash.nu]

If the carriers use same wireless technology then branding is just that, a marketing strategy.

 

[zekkragnos]

You do realize that there’s only one model sold in the US, which means they are not branded/locked to the carriers. It used to in the past but for the XR and XS there’s only one model sold in the US that works with every carrier and support both GSM and CMDA. It’s not the phone it’s your carriers fault the issues you were having.

 

[jay968]

Actually that's not true. AT&T iphones are locked for 6 months, Verizon's are locked when purchased but unlock after 24 hours. You can buy an unlocked Xr from the Apple Stores but when you buy from the carriers it's a different story. I know, I've done it.

 

[JerseyDoug]

Actually that's not true. AT&T iphones are locked for 6 months, Verizon's are locked when purchased but unlock after 24 hours. You can buy an unlocked Xr from the Apple Stores but when you buy from the carriers it's a different story. I know, I've done it.

Actually, I believe it is true. The iPhone Xr sold in the US is the same regardless of where purchased. That was not always true back in the early days of smartphones and carrier discounts. The fact that the phone is locked to a carrier is another matter. That is done via software (or perhaps firmware?). The physical phone is the same.

 

[TheIntruder]

Actually, I believe it is true. The iPhone Xr sold in the US is the same regardless of where purchased. That was not always true back in the early days of smartphones and carrier discounts. The fact that the phone is locked to a carrier is another matter. That is done via software (or perhaps firmware?). The physical phone is the same.

Right.

U.S. XR hardware = Model A1984. One model. Same hardware. Same band support.

U.S. Reseller Flex Policy = phone not sold by Apple locks to first SIM inserted.

 

[jay968]

No, what I meant to say was that the idea of them all being unlocked (which zekkragnoss claimed) is not true, not that they are different phones. I purchased an iphone from AT&T several months ago and was then told it could not be unlocked for 6 months. I couldn't understand this as the reason I bought it was to be able to use another carrier's number in the eSIM slot. AT&T told me I couldn't do this until the phone was unlocked after 6 months.
I returned the phone, and bought a Verizon one which automatically unlocked after 24 hours, and I was able to use a Verizon SIM card and an AT&T eSIM in the same phone.

 

[Knowimagination]

The eSIM was never locked on any phone as far as I can tell. Either way there is only one model number available for Xr. AT&T just have crap service in some areas, I just switched to Verizon and so far in my area it is far superior to ATT.