Correct, you can't talk and surf on CDMA phone, unless you are also connected to wifi. Then you can talk over CDMA and surf over wifi at same time.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Carrier (T-Mobile iPhone 5s is LOCKED- Unlocked iPhone 5s Discussion)
- Thread starter MicroMacTosh
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Correct, you can't talk and surf on CDMA phone, unless you are also connected to wifi. Then you can talk over CDMA and surf over wifi at same time.
You can - if you are using it on a GSM network. If you want to talk & surf at the same time on a CDMA network you will (as far as I know) have to go with an Android phone (that has 2 CDMA radios to cover this use case, as I understand it).
(this is for cellular data not wifi)
That is not true. If you bought from Apple the T-Mobile version is unlocked. If you go in for a warranty replacement Apple gives you a replacement with the same unlock status.
I know this from experience with my prior iPhone 5.
Last edited:
And if T-Mobile unlocks your T-Mobile purchased iPhone and you go to Apple for a replacement, you get an unlocked phone. There is no difference there.
I quoted the wrong post by accident.
I agree with your post. Apple replaces with the same unlock status.
Has anyone checked the online apple store? The T-Mobile is now listed as unlocked! Why would change that status for only a month? I am a little bumped... I bought my T-mobile, I use it outside of US so it is unlocked but I would like to have an official unlocked status.
Same here! I just ordered my t-mobile version ("seems" to be unlocked) this Monday, and today apple released an official unlocked version of 5s (still need 1-2 weeks to ship). I was struggling with whether to return it and order another unlocked one? Need some advice...
I have a quick question here, is there any difference between t-mobile contract free version 5s (with full-price) and an "official" unlocked version (which released today)?
Because I just ordered the t-mobile version and it on its way now. Do I need to return it and get an official unlocked one? I want a fully unlocked phone without any hassle with carriers. So I want to know if both of the two are the same. Thanks.
Last edited:
Unfortunately I don't have the option to return it because I live outside the US. But it is also unlocked even if the site didn't mention it.... I can live with that!
Ok, here't the thing.
T-mobile phone (contract free for full price) is locked and works only with T-Mobile while it is completely unlocked for international carriers! I just purchased one from local Apple store and put international sim card in it and it works perfect! So it is locked for US and unlocked for international usage.hope it helps because I was confused myself as well .
"it is locked for US and unlocked for international." I got the same reply from apple's sales representative this Monday! So I order it then but apple released an official unlocked version of 5s today which make me embarrassed.
I will use t-mobile version with my own international carrier (not carrier from US). So it seems the same if I get either of them. But i'am still feel awkward.
Glad to see the unlocked one available. Now I have to wait another week or so till it is available at my local store...right now only the T-Mobile version is available. Actually, now even the T-Mobile one is not available.
Will they have AT&T SIMs at the Apple store to setup my phone?
Will they have AT&T SIMs at the Apple store to setup my phone?
Last edited:
We know that! That's why we bought it considering the fact in my country iPhone 5s's price is 739 or 1001$! Buying from the US was a bargain! But I would prefer have the one that says unlocked rather than T-Mobile.
Nope.
Bought unlocked 'T-Mobile' iphone 5s from apple.com. Just put an at&t sim in it today, and it works fine.
So the t-mobile version from apple actually is factory unlocked (both US and international) but simply shipped with an additional sim-card of t-mobile?
Exactly!
The Apple retail store and website do not sell T-Mobile contracts. They sell an unlocked iPhone 5s along with a T-Mobile SIM card.
Hey there,
I've read the whole thread and also other discussion forums, and I must say I am so confused.
I do want very much to believe that the t mobile contract free version is indeed unlocked, as one of these units which I ordered a week ago is on its way to my mom's hotel in manhattan.
What I do not know and wish to get an answer for is:
First, how come you guys are so certain that the t mobile one is unlocked ? Especially you Coleman2010.
The reason I'm asking is because although many people here stated that their phone was unlocked, there are also several claims of people on other discussion forums, who bought it directly from apple, online or retail, and had issues with it being locked.
Also, when speaking with a representative on the 5th avenue retail store , I was told that they did sell all 3 (verizon t mobile and at&t) contract free phones as unlocked for international use, and they stopped doing that with the t mobile ones because people came in complaining that their units were actually locked.
They do keep selling the Verizon and AT&T ones as unlocked.
So I'd really be happy to get any info that will cheer me up.
Secondly, can someone please tell me if there is a need for a computer with iTunes in order to activate the phone with a sim other than the t mobile one, or can my mom just push in the foreign SIM card and activate it over wifi ? She will not have any computer with her over there.
Thanks
Last edited:
Since the iPhone 4 all device only purchases have been unlocked. Plus when apple first listed the T-Mobile iPhone 5 for sale it was listed as unlocked. They added the "contract free" labeling when the iPhone 5s went on sale. Probably at T-Mobiles request. I know for certain it's unlocked because I bought and sold it to a friend in Brasil. I never opened the box and he activate just fine in Brasil.Hey there,
I've read the whole thread and also other discussion forums, and I must say I am so confused.
I do want very much to believe that the t mobile contract free version is indeed unlocked, as one of these units which I ordered a week ago is on its way to my mom's hotel in manhattan.
What I do not know and wish to get an answer for is:
First, how come you guys are so certain that the t mobile one is unlocked ? Especially you Coleman2010.
The reason I'm asking is because although many people here stated that their phone was unlocked, there are also several claims of people on other discussion forums, who bought it directly from apple, online or retail, and had issues with it being locked.
Also, when speaking with a representative on the 5th avenue retail store , I was told that they did sell all 3 (verizon t mobile and at&t) contract free phones as unlocked for international use, and they stopped doing that with the t mobile ones because people came in complaining that their units were actually locked.
They do keep selling the Verizon and AT&T ones as unlocked.
So I'd really be happy to get any info that will cheer me up.
Secondly, can someone please tell me if there is a need for a computer with iTunes in order to activate the phone with a sim other than the t mobile one, or can my mom just push in the foreign SIM card and activate it over wifi ? She will not have any computer with her over there.
Thanks
The SIM-Free and the T-Moble iPhone 5s is the exact same phone with the exact same unlock status. The difference is one is sold with a T-Mobile SIM and the other is not. Both are unlocked.
I think people who post they are locked from the Apple store are either trolling to confuse people or T-Mobile marketing employees confusing people so they buy a locked version from T-Mobile instead of unlocked from Apple.
Tell your Mom to unpack the phone, remove the T-Mobile SIM. Put in your SIM of choice. Turn on the phone and activate over wifi. You're done.
I bough the tmobile one ,i put an at&t sim card and it worked but it doesnt shows lte , it shows 4g
Where did you buy it from ?
Did you connect the phone to iTunes when activating it ?
Regarding 4g vs lte, I found this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1451140/