Understanding the iPhone 5C/5S All-In-One AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon Model

[ladeer]

Correct.

Question becomes: why on earth would you NOT want to use Verizon in the USA?

To most people, it is clearly the superior network to all others in this country. Please don't say it's because you can talk and browse at the same time. That's probably the most useless capability ever.

????? Excuse me I think that's the a deal breaker for me as I do this all the time. Think about:

1. WebEx conferencing where I am using the cellular for audio conferencing and watching someone's desktop sharing via WebEx app.... Most companies use this now days.
2. While talking on the phone, send a file/attachment/imessage to the person on the phone. "Let me send you this contract. Do you see it?"
3. Talking on the phone w/ a friend while looking up address to a restaurant/gas station.
4. Talking on the phone while using GPS to navigate (e.g. driving and using Google Map for navigation while talking on the phone via Bluetooth built into car. My car (bmw 2013) has built-in GPS but it sucks compared to Google Map)

These things happen all the time every day, I don't know how can you say Internet and Talking at the same time is the MOST USELESS CAPABILITY?? SERIOUSLY?

 

[unrealii]

This is very interesting. I'm with Tmobile, so my best option now seems to be the verizon version since it is the most compilable and likely yield a higher resale if all above is true.


Few questions:
1) Seems the only way to get this launch day is to sign up with verizon or have an existing verizon account. If someone cancels the service within a day and pays the etf, does verizon blacklist the esn?
2) Would there be any issues with getting this phone to work with tmobile's services like visual voicemail, my account, and mms?

 

[Satnam1989]

This is very interesting. I'm with Tmobile, so my best option now seems to be the verizon version since it is the most compilable and likely yield a higher resale if all above is true.


Few questions:
1) Seems the only way to get this launch day is to sign up with verizon or have an existing verizon account. If someone cancels the service within a day and pays the etf, does verizon blacklist the esn?
2) Would there be any issues with getting this phone to work with tmobile's services like visual voicemail, my account, and mms?

1) I think you can buy from stores like BestBuy and just pay full price...Verizon will blacklist the ESN if you do not pay your ETF should you get it on a plan and cancel immediately.....otherwise people would be getting iPhones for as low as $200....
2) All iPhones are pre-configured to work with all the supported carrier(s) features, only thing is some iPhones are Locked...once Unlocked, any and all iPhones work on any and all networks just as they are designed to.

Unlike android phones where you have configure APN settings for most carriers unless the SIM carries the carrier settings, iPhones have never had this issue (as stated above, as long as the carier is a Approved Carrier and/or sells iPhones officially). So yes, all things will work if the carrier you are going to use it with supports the features.

Some MVNO's you may have to configure MMS, thats a limitation of how the MVNO's are viewed by Apple, since MVNO's use main networks like AT&T/T-Mobile etc, the iPhone treats the SIM from MVNO as the original carriers.

I'm sorry to add this last point but I don't personally understand the fuss about MMS, I have sent 100 000's of messages to date and have had never the need for MMS, do people really use it that much when we have apps like Whatsapp and iMessage? I would say 99% of my contacts are either on Whatsapp and/or have iMessage, those that don't I simply request them to join Whatsapp.

 

[skimcpip]

This is very interesting. I'm with Tmobile, so my best option now seems to be the verizon version since it is the most compilable and likely yield a higher resale if all above is true.


Few questions:
1) Seems the only way to get this launch day is to sign up with verizon or have an existing verizon account. If someone cancels the service within a day and pays the etf, does verizon blacklist the esn?
2) Would there be any issues with getting this phone to work with tmobile's services like visual voicemail, my account, and mms?

As to 2, I have a Verizon iphone 5 and can confirm that all of those services work on Tmobile service, which I am currently using.

 

[Satnam1989]

Some new interesting information was just brought to my attention by one of the other members, so this is now a mystery that we have to kind of solve......

I'm not sure when they updated this info, but currently you can find the following on Apple's site:

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a wireless contract commitment. You can activate and use the unlocked iPhone on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T or T-Mobile in the United States. The unlocked iPhone 5c and unlocked iPhone 5s will also work on the CDMA networks of Sprint and Verizon Wireless. The unlocked iPhone 4s will work only on GSM wireless networks and will not work with CDMA-based carriers, including Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. If you choose T-Mobile, your iPhone comes with a T-Mobile SIM card already installed. You will need to contact T-Mobile or visit an Apple Retail Store to activate your iPhone.

Otherwise, the unlocked iPhone does not come with a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4s, or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, so you’ll need to get one from any supported GSM carrier worldwide (or from Sprint or Verizon Wireless for the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s). To start using your iPhone, simply insert the SIM card into the slot and turn on iPhone by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Purchasing an unlocked iPhone means you will not qualify for the lower iPhone price associated with a contract. The unlocked iPhone 5c model is A1456. The unlocked iPhone 5s model is A1453.

So, according to Apple,the unlocked 5s is indeed the Sprint model(which conveniently includes support for the most bands).

 

[unrealii]

That's very interesting because the current verbage on their site says otherwise. This is from viewing the 5c and clicking the Link to Learn more about the unlocked iPhone

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a wireless contract commitment. You can activate and use the unlocked iPhone on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T or T-Mobile in the United States. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA-based carriers, including Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. If you choose T-Mobile, your iPhone comes with a T-Mobile SIM card already installed. You will need to contact T-Mobile or visit an Apple Retail Store to activate your iPhone.

Otherwise, the unlocked iPhone does not come with a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4s, or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5c so you’ll need to get one from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using your iPhone, simply insert the SIM card into the slot and turn on iPhone by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Purchasing an unlocked iPhone means you will not qualify for the lower iPhone price associated with a contract. The unlocked iPhone 5c model is A1532 (GSM). The unlocked iPhone 5s model is A1533 (GSM).

To help decide whether the locked or unlocked option is right for you, compare wireless service plans. Or call our iPhone Specialists at 1-800-MY-APPLE.

 

[Doc69]

As to 2, I have a Verizon iphone 5 and can confirm that all of those services work on Tmobile service, which I am currently using.

If I buy a iPhone 5S from Verizon, could I turn off CDMA ("International CDMA" setting in iOS7), pop in a T-Mobile SIM card, and use it on the T-Mobile network in the US, with everything working, just as if I had purchased the 5S from T-Mobile?

 

[charlituna]

As per my understanding, while a Verizon phone may allow you to utilize both CDMA and GSM features, you are limited to using ONLY CDMA when in the US, so the picture is not as rosy for people who choose to buy Verizon iPhones for universal use.

Verizon's sim is unlocked so you get Verizon here and then pop in another sim when you are overseas. It's already set up that way. There aren't that many places left with CDMA and no GSM.

Same with t mobile purchases cause they are all full price.

ATT is the catch. If you activate a subsidized line with them they will lock the sim to their service for a good 12 months if not the whole 24. This is totally legal. And what is currently illegal is any service or scheme to unlock it without ATTs participation and approval. Obama is supporting a petition to change that illegality but frankly the better move would be to make it illegal for carriers to lock phones in the first place, contract or not.

 

[Ajarn]

If I buy a iPhone 5S from Verizon, could I turn off CDMA ("International CDMA" setting in iOS7), pop in a T-Mobile SIM card, and use it on the T-Mobile network in the US, with everything working, just as if I had purchased the 5S from T-Mobile?

Everything including T-Mobile LTE. I'm wondering this also.

 

[CEmajr]

I have the T-Mobile 16GB 5S in hand. Model number on this one is ME378LL/A

Tomorrow we'll find out model numbers for all the others and will be able to compare.

 

[orbitalpunk]

I have the T-Mobile 16GB 5S in hand. Model number on this one is ME378LL/A

Tomorrow we'll find out model numbers for all the others and will be able to compare.

does another US carrier sim work in it??

 

[Satnam1989]

Everything including T-Mobile LTE. I'm wondering this also.

I'm sorry to say but I never understand why its still a mystery.....


It clearly states all the bands, everything is one needs to know is all there, What is there left to wonder?

Only thing one needs to think about is, is the phone Unlocked or Locked....Once Unlocked if it clearly states the bands supported = Yes It will work....

So to those of you that wonder and are continusly wondering the questions that have been wondered and answered many times over:

1) Check What bands of LTE your network operates on
2) Check that your iPhone has the bands listed
3) Check your iPhone is Unlocked

Well if you match all 3 with YES then your iPhone and Network and all features will work 100% just like they should, please no more wondering.

 

[CEmajr]

does another US carrier sim work in it??

No this one is locked to tmobile

 

[edtorious]

Unlocked iPhone 5s

This is interesting. Thanks for the thread OP! Now that I think I have a better understanding because of this thread, I have an iPhone 5 thru Verizon and will buy iPhone 5s full price from Verizon and then I will cancel my Verizon, pay the ETF, sell my iPhone 5 and hope to recoup some of the money I paid at full price for iPhone 5s.

My question now is which one of the 'outside' carriers here in U.S. offer Unlimited Data and for how much? What else should I look for in an 'outside' carriers? Will I be able to keep my current Verizon number when I switch to an 'outside' carrier? I've always been with major carriers so I apologize for the noob questions. Please advise. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

So is it safe to say that I can do this later? Buy a non-eligible upgrade Verizon iPhone 5s and assume it's unlocked. And then I can use this iPhone to use with other 'outside' carriers [AT&T MVNO: Net10, StraightTalk, Simple Mobile, Airvoice Wireless and etc.], (excluding Sprint of course) after I cancelled my service with Verizon?

Or I wonder if I should just take my chances tomorrow just to be safe and go to the store instead and then walk in with a sim from any of these let's say AT&T MVNO: Net10, StraightTalk, Simple Mobile, Airvoice Wireless, and many more to name a few and use it to activate the Verizon iPhone 5s to see if it will work like an unlocked iPhone?

 

[edtorious]

I decided not to buy one for now. I'll wait till we confirm which is the right and correct unlocked iPhone 5s to use. I hope this get confirmed and updated. Thanks!

 

[orbitalpunk]

No this one is locked to tmobile

So just to be clear, what your confirming is that the contract free tmobile phone at the unsubsidized price of 649 is carrier locked to tmobile?

 

[CEmajr]

So just to be clear, what your confirming is that the contract free tmobile phone at the unsubsidized price of 649 is carrier locked to tmobile?

No the one I have is one from a T-Mobile store. Their demo unit. It's locked.

I ordered a contract free one from Apple a little while ago. My order confirmation says T-Mobile unlocked GSM.

 

[orbitalpunk]

No the one I have is one from a T-Mobile store. Their demo unit. It's locked.

I ordered a contract free one from Apple a little while ago. My order confirmation says T-Mobile unlocked GSM.

ok, so if I buy one in a apple store, a tmobile contract free phone, i should be able to just open it myself, pop in a ATT sim and I'm good to go. yeah?

 

[jpiszcz]

ok, so if I buy one in a apple store, a tmobile contract free phone, i should be able to just open it myself, pop in a ATT sim and I'm good to go. yeah?

That is my understanding but nobody has confirmed.

----------

That is my understanding but nobody has confirmed.

Looks like it will work just fine!
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=17952388#post17952388

 

[JodyK]

Thanks for the info!

 

[jpiszcz]

Thanks for the info!

Someone posted an Apple rep has stated it will only work on T-Mobile in the US.

Don't see how/why they would do this if they are charging the same for unlocked iPhone 5 (same prices) so its still not confirmed yet/there is still doubt.

 

[edtorious]

So has anybody confirmed yet if the iPhone 5s from Verizon works out of the box as an unlocked iPhone? Please confirm. Thanks!

 

[mac.cali]

I would too like confirmation on the Verizon iPhone 5s.

 

[edtorious]

Unlocked Sprint

Originally Posted by RKO52 View Post
I'm not sure when they updated this info, but currently you can find the following on Apple's site:

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a wireless contract commitment. You can activate and use the unlocked iPhone on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T or T-Mobile in the United States. The unlocked iPhone 5c and unlocked iPhone 5s will also work on the CDMA networks of Sprint and Verizon Wireless. The unlocked iPhone 4s will work only on GSM wireless networks and will not work with CDMA-based carriers, including Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. If you choose T-Mobile, your iPhone comes with a T-Mobile SIM card already installed. You will need to contact T-Mobile or visit an Apple Retail Store to activate your iPhone.

Otherwise, the unlocked iPhone does not come with a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4s, or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, so you’ll need to get one from any supported GSM carrier worldwide (or from Sprint or Verizon Wireless for the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s). To start using your iPhone, simply insert the SIM card into the slot and turn on iPhone by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Purchasing an unlocked iPhone means you will not qualify for the lower iPhone price associated with a contract. The unlocked iPhone 5c model is A1456. The unlocked iPhone 5s model is A1453.

So, according to Apple,the unlocked 5s is indeed the Sprint model(which conveniently includes support for the most bands).

Some new interesting information was just brought to my attention by one of the other members, so this is now a mystery that we have to kind of solve......

So an unlocked Sprint is actually better then than unlocked Verizon? Can somebody who got Sprint confirm if they can put in any sim and works out of the box right away?

 

[Satnam1989]

I can confirm 100%

Verizon iPhone 5S = Factory Unlocked

I just picked up the 5S this morning from Best Buy and popped in my AT&T SIM and been using it since on LTE!

Full speeds, everything working exactly as it should - no difference what so ever.