T-Mobile's iPhone 5 is a Tweaked Model A1428 Phone with AWS Support

[vladi]

In order to support AWS it needs a complete new hardware piece and a new FCC certification. So no firmware or software updates will eve fix this for current iPhone 5 users.

 

[MuddyPaws1]

CDMA has always been slower than GSM or HSPA (at least as I have read). It is just very old and antiquated, compared to GSM. What helps VZW survive is that they've turfed more of the country with their towers, which results in them having more stable coverage. But more stable coverage doesn't equal faster service.

BL.

Please provide proof.

 

[jetison]

In order to support AWS it needs a complete new hardware piece and a new FCC certification. So no firmware or software updates will eve fix this for current iPhone 5 users.

No it doesn't. Read the FCC filling.

C2PC Cover Letter

Source

 

[viacavour]

The Apple guy in the Engadget article simply said it's not a simple software update for the phones already in circulation.

The additional info are all inferred and conjured up by the bloggers and journalists.

 

[jetison]

The Apple guy in the Engadget article simply said it's not a simple software update for the phones already in circulation.

The additional info are all inferred and conjured up by the bloggers and journalists.

I just went to the source. Like I said in a previous post, it must be a condition to prevent current AT&T iPhones to eventually migrate to tmobile. They also say you can't facetime over 3G with an iPhone 4, or can't downgrade your iPhone's baseband during iOS betas. It's just a lock.

 

[apunkrockmonk]

So if I get one of these "new" iPhone 5's and pop in my current SIM from TMO that is on the $30 5GB, 100minute plan, will it work on LTE where TMO has service? Basically what I'm asking is if LTE is included in that plan? Or is it just considered another variation of "4G" by TMO?

It seems to me some carriers forced people to get a new "LTE SIM" and they couldn't keep using the previous one....is there anything special in the SIM that activates LTE?

Everything I've read so far states no need for a new sim and LTE will be available on all compatible LTE devices after a carrier file update has been released.

This includes the $30/mo prepaid plan you referenced. That's the plan I'm planning on getting when the time is right.

 

[wankey]

Roaming when you leave your area code? No.

I hate to even think about defending rogers or bell, but we've had decent canada-wide plans from the big 3 for a while now with LTE data.

Yeah but how much do you pay for Canada wide plans with LTE? As a person who usually never leaves Ontario, I pay 30 a month fixed price for unlimited everything.

 

[x-evil-x]

You guys think this will hurt resale value of AT&T iPhone 5's? I sold my ip4 unlocked that was over 2 years old for 300. (32gig). Everyone on tmobile was calling for it.

 

[JohnDoe98]

Why is it a red herring when build quality, resale value are also part of premium product benefits.

Because the discussion is about whether or not the hardware is capable and a simple software tweak can add further functionalities. Although some people might buy a product for the sake of resale value, that isn't the topic under discussion and I don't see how it is relevant to the discussion. I'm open to being persuaded otherwise, but it seems to me simply an attempt to change the topic.

Apple simply said it's not a simple software update. If it is doable and they have time to rev another 6.x update, they may eventually do it ? My guess is they will be hot on the next phone and OS first.

Right, Apple told the media it required a hardware update, yet told the FCC that no hardware changes were necessary, implying only a software update was required. Those two assertions are incompatible and inconsistent, so Apple is lying to someone (whether intentionally or not). My bet is its the media that was misled not the FCC.

Even Mac firmware updates are not that frequent.

Doesn't matter. They demonstrate it's possible to issue these types of updates without any problems creeping up.

Why would AT&T absorb bandwidth consumption of AWS update alone if it doesn't benefit them anyway ?

That's a fair point, but it is easily solved. Tethering is enabled on the hardware/software by default on all unlocked phones, yet the carriers can disable the feature when they install their carrier profiles into the phone. If ATT wants to turn off AWS, they are free to do so. But that shouldn't preclude Apple from issuing the update to the firmware so that any iPhone 5 can take advantage of the feature if the carrier chooses to enable it. In other words, right now the issue is with Apple, not with ATT.

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Yup. It's just a baseband update. Same hardware. It's probably imposed by AT&T so current customers with current A1428 will not ever be able to take them to T-Mobile..

That would be anti-competitive. Plenty of people purchased unlocked iPhones. AT&T shouldn't have a say what is allowed or not on those phones. Again the carrier profile should enable or disable the feature. So far as Apple is concerned, they should turn it on, for all capable devices.

 

[Terrin]

Yeah this far into the year I'll probably be better off just upgrading to the 5s which I wasn't planning on doing. Outlay of cash will be similar so I might as well get a hardware upgrade out of it too.

The reason why mine was $749 was it's a 32GB, I'd have to assume the $580/$599 model is the 16GB.

Yes, but I'd guess the most you will pay extra is a hundred dollars up front. The monthly cost will be the same. You still will save money over buying it direct from Apple.

 

[Builddesign]

Why this late in the supply chain? How does this play out with the 5s saga?

I hope in the future we don't see multiple models. What's next slap a t-moble logo on the back?

 

[Terrin]

You guys think this will hurt resale value of AT&T iPhone 5's? I sold my ip4 unlocked that was over 2 years old for 300. (32gig). Everyone on tmobile was calling for it.

I would guess most certainly. First, the phone is going to be already over $100 cheaper on T-Mobile. Second, the T-Mobile phone will be a much better phone on T-Mobile's network then the AT&T one. The high resale value was largely due to T-Mobile customers such as myself having to either by a used on paying full price.

I paid $250 for an unlocked used (from a friend) 32 GB iPhone 4 last year. Even though my friend would sell me his iPhone 5 this year for the same price, I am going to pay full price on T-Mobile for a newer fully supported phone.

 

[x-evil-x]

I would guess most certainly. First, the phone is going to be already over $100 cheaper on T-Mobile. Second, the T-Mobile phone will be a much better phone on T-Mobile's network then the AT&T one. The high resale value was largely due to T-Mobile customers such as myself having to either by a used on paying full price.

I paid $250 for an unlocked used (from a friend) 32 GB iPhone 4 last year. Even though my friend would sell me his iPhone 5 this year for the same price, I am going to pay full price on T-Mobile for a newer fully supported phone.

yea i was thinking it would hurt value. but people on att should still want them. Tmobile people will probably buy the tmobile phones. sigh

 

[vladi]

No it doesn't. Read the FCC filling.

C2PC Cover Letter

Image

Source

Well that means that iPhone 5 was pentaband device from the get go.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Right, Apple told the media it required a hardware update, yet told the FCC that no hardware changes were necessary, implying only a software update was required. Those two assertions are incompatible and inconsistent, so Apple is lying to someone (whether intentionally or not). My bet is its the media that was misled not the FCC.

Those statements are not necessarily incompatible and inconsistent. Simply put, not every single chip inside the iphone is can have it's firmware updated. Some chips are coded once and thats it. Its done either because its easier, or to prevent anyone from being able to mess with it later on. My bet is the chip that controls the radio is like this, it cannot be updated. The "new" version is the exact same chip, but it has some slightly different firmware, thus making it a hardware update. There you go, its not new hardware, and but it did require a hardware update.

 

[Stella]

Deleted

 

[jclardy]

I am seriously considering switching, mainly because T-Mobile will allow me to tether in those rare occasions that I need it and for much cheaper than AT&T.

Seriously if AT&T wants to keep me then enable tethering on all current limited data plans. I only use < 1GB per month and am on a 2GB plan currently.

To officially tether on T-Mobile it is $50 total for your plan. For me to get it I will go from paying $72 a month to around $100 a month just to get tethering on a limited plan. I would get 3 extra GB of data, but I do not need 3 extra GB of data every month.

It is really that simple...

Really I am fine with AT&T's service. I am not fine with their draconian policies regarding data usage and their ridiculous SMS pricing (Removing all but the unlimited plan for $20 a month after iMessage came about.)

 

[notthedark]

Tweaked A1428?

This is going to cause a nightmare ... so much hardware fragmentation.

Hopefully 5S has world-phone capabilities

THIS!! This right here!!

This has been my number one gripe about Apple. They don't properly differentiate models. Without a clear model number attachment how do you tell someone, come October, why they can't move their A1428 phone to TMob when the gal standing next to them in line with their A1428 phone can. It's not like the world is running low on characters. Just change the frigging model number.

*Typed on my MacBook Pro 15", but I have no idea which MacBook Pro 15".

 

[spyd4r]

As an Apple supporter since ~1992 when I got my first computer this is one of their first moves that has royally pissed me off.

Glad I get to sell my unlocked iPhone a1428 and go buy the exact same phone again.

The built in radio already supports these frequencies I fail to see how they cannot update the baseband in a future iOS to save me from paying 8% tax on $749 again ($59.92). Plus the added joy of whatever loss I take from reselling an iPhone 5, doubt I'll be getting a full $749 for my used phone.

or just wait for a iPhone 5S?

 

[cere]

In order to support AWS it needs a complete new hardware piece and a new FCC certification. So no firmware or software updates will eve fix this for current iPhone 5 users.

You are 100% wrong. From Apple's FCC filing:

The addition of this UMTS band does not require any hardware changes to the approved device. There is no increase in the output power rating on this additional UMTS band and the Equipment Class remains the same. There are no other changes to the device.

This is a firmware change at most. There is no technical reason it couldn't be simply enabled on all existing iPhone 5. This is a business/policy decision not to push out the switch to enable it on existing phones.

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THIS!! This right here!!

This has been my number one gripe about Apple. They don't properly differentiate models. Without a clear model number attachment how do you tell someone, come October, why they can't move their A1428 phone to TMob when the gal standing next to them in line with their A1428 phone can. It's not like the world is running low on characters. Just change the frigging model number.

*Typed on my MacBook Pro 15", but I have no idea which MacBook Pro 15".

You are right, but in this case it is the exact same model. There are no changes to the device at all, so the same model is applicable.

 

[Am3r1ca16]

I would guess most certainly. First, the phone is going to be already over $100 cheaper on T-Mobile. Second, the T-Mobile phone will be a much better phone on T-Mobile's network then the AT&T one. The high resale value was largely due to T-Mobile customers such as myself having to either by a used on paying full price.

I paid $250 for an unlocked used (from a friend) 32 GB iPhone 4 last year. Even though my friend would sell me his iPhone 5 this year for the same price, I am going to pay full price on T-Mobile for a newer fully supported phone.

$250 for a iphone 5? Whoa if you're not buying it tell your friend ill buy it lol

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No it doesn't. Read the FCC filling.

C2PC Cover Letter

Image

Source

So in other words Apple just doesn't want to send a update to the existing iphone 5 because its all about business?

 

[cere]

Well that means that iPhone 5 was pentaband device from the get go.

The iPhone chipset has technically been pentaband since the 4 (maybe the 4S). It was always simply a matter of what bands were enabled. There was no way they were going enable AWS until the biggest AWS carrier was on board.

Those statements are not necessarily incompatible and inconsistent. Simply put, not every single chip inside the iphone is can have it's firmware updated. Some chips are coded once and thats it. Its done either because its easier, or to prevent anyone from being able to mess with it later on. My bet is the chip that controls the radio is like this, it cannot be updated. The "new" version is the exact same chip, but it has some slightly different firmware, thus making it a hardware update. There you go, its not new hardware, and but it did require a hardware update.

Maybe you are correct. I would be a little surprised if the chipset for the radios couldn't be re-flashed, but it is possible.

 

[alent1234]

i would have to guess is that if you enable new frequencies on existing iphones you have to recertify them through the FCC. what would be the point? even if its legal?

 

[edwurtle]

Still called A1428?

Are they going to change the model number/name?

Calling them "A1428" would cause major confusion.

 

[cere]

i would have to guess is that if you enable new frequencies on existing iphones you have to recertify them through the FCC. what would be the point? even if its legal?

Maybe, except the exact iPhone 5 you already own has now been fully certified by the FCC with AWS.

Are they going to change the model number/name?

Calling them "A1428" would cause major confusion.

They are exactly the same, so the model number stays.