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

[boondocks]

Where to buy 5s/64GB Verizon - device only? (month-to-month)

Thanks TrueFan. The problem with the "month-to-month" Verizon option is that:

• It is not clear to me how soon I can cancel (even if it is right away, I might still end up being charged $80 + whatever fees they might add for the first month). Plus cancellation fees? Maybe there is some "trick" to this (buy+cancel) while incurring only minimal charges on top of the phone full price?
• I'm pretty sure they will still want do a credit check (I do not want to give them my SSN)

 

[Truefan31]

Idk why they'd do a credit check if you're paying full price for the phone.

 

[Truefan31]

If they do a credit check you might as well do a 2 year agreement, cancel after the 14 days the pay the etf. Meanwhile throw AT&T sim on it since it should be sim unlocked. Can anyone back this? Actually you save money I think since etf is 350, 16 gb iPhone 5s is 199=550. Prorate the basic 80 plan half a month=40. About 600 for a 650 phone.

 

[kevink2]

Definitely something to keep in mind, however, is there really any benefit to most users? Neither Verizon or AT&T offer any cheaper full-service BYOD plans, so using a contract free phone on these two networks is absolutely useless.

Unless you are wanting to keep some feature, like unlimited data, that people can lose with subsidized phone upgrade.

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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?

Sending pictures to people with feature phones or older.

Right now, my brother in law has to email his photos to my sister, since she has a feature phone, and his iPhone 4's MMS doesn't work on ST.

She will have an iPhone next month, so iMessage will work for her then.

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Verizon one would be, AT&T or Sprint one wouldn't. Unsure about T-Mobile.

I believe that TMobile phones, under contract, are locked. When paid off, you can unlock it. Pay full price from apple, it is unlocked even if you ask for a TMobile SIM.

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CRYSTAL CLEAR ANSWER: ALL VERIZON iPHONE 5s ARE FACTORY SIM UNLOCKED- CONTRACT OR NO CONTRACT.

- this is an FCC requirement for all LTE phones sold by Verizon. So even if you buy an iPhone 5S at $200 from verizon, it will be sim unlocked. about 10,000 videos on youtube demonstrating this with the iphone 5.

This may be a change. I thought that, before, even though Verizon phones were unlocked GSM, that they were only unlocked overseas. Maybe that was the 4 or 4s.

 

[CncrndCitizen]

Did Absolutely Nothing beside put in my AT&T SIM.

I'm positive that option only appears while you are on Verizon it self (like with Active Connection/Line) - I've never seen it on iPhone 5 and now on the 5S - When I first time powered on the iPhone 5S, I had put in my AT&T SIM replacing the Verizon SIM that came with it

Do you know if the CDMA radio is always active on the Verizon 5S, even when a GSM Carrier SIM is installed? It seems like that would be the one potential downside to using the A1533 (CDMA) vs GSM one.

 

[Truefan31]

Do you know if the CDMA radio is always active on the Verizon 5S, even when a GSM Carrier SIM is installed? It seems like that would be the one potential downside to using the A1533 (CDMA) vs GSM one.

I can't imagine that being the case. I think I'm going to get a 32 gb 5s verizon then take it over to tmobile, where the plans are cheaper. I'm gonna buy it, wait 14 days then throw tmobile on it. Do I have to wait to pay the etf or can I do this immediately after getting the phone?

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I can't imagine that being the case. I think I'm going to get a 32 gb 5s verizon then take it over to tmobile, where the plans are cheaper. I'm gonna buy it, wait 14 days then throw tmobile on it. Do I have to wait to pay the etf or can I do this immediately after getting the phone?

Btw I'm doing this cuz I get employee plan with tmobile. But I gotta provide the phone, no discount on phone

 

[boondocks]

If they do a credit check you might as well do a 2 year agreement, cancel after the 14 days the pay the etf. Meanwhile throw AT&T sim on it since it should be sim unlocked. Can anyone back this? Actually you save money I think since etf is 350, 16 gb iPhone 5s is 199=550. Prorate the basic 80 plan half a month=40. About 600 for a 650 phone.

I think your calculations are basically correct - the only thing is (reading the Verizon customer agreement) is that they don't seem to pro-rate: "Cancellations will become effective on the last day of that month's billing cycle, and you are responsible for all charges incurred until then.". Thus you will need to pay the full $80. However I'm thinking of getting the 64GB iPhone 5s, which adds up to: $399.99 (2year plan) + $350 (ETF) + $80 (1 month service) = $829.99 which is less than the full price of the phone ($849.99). But I wonder if I missed something... (i.e. extra fees, billing cycle "round-ups", etc. ?).

Also I think they might do a credit check even in the case of a month-to-month plan (at least online they seem to ask for your SSN even if you want to but the full price version of the phone), because (in theory) you can rack up extra charges even on such a plan (e.g. data overage?).

 

[Satnam1989]

Do you know if the CDMA radio is always active on the Verizon 5S, even when a GSM Carrier SIM is installed? It seems like that would be the one potential downside to using the A1533 (CDMA) vs GSM one.

I'm sure its not, I've had no issues with battery life as its been nothing but great. I'm sure apple has it set to Auto power off because there is no option to change anything CDMA related once the phone is active with a SIM Card from a GSM network

 

[Truefan31]

I think your calculations are basically correct - the only thing is (reading the Verizon customer agreement) is that they don't seem to pro-rate: "Cancellations will become effective on the last day of that month's billing cycle, and you are responsible for all charges incurred until then.". Thus you will need to pay the full $80. However I'm thinking of getting the 64GB iPhone 5s, which adds up to: $399.99 (2year plan) + $350 (ETF) + $80 (1 month service) = $829.99 which is less than the full price of the phone ($849.99). But I wonder if I missed something... (i.e. extra fees, billing cycle "round-ups", etc. ?).

Also I think they might do a credit check even in the case of a month-to-month plan (at least online they seem to ask for your SSN even if you want to but the full price version of the phone), because (in theory) you can rack up extra charges even on such a plan (e.g. data overage?).

That's pretty crazy. I thought all carriers prorated. Well even so, it's still beneficial I think to do it this way. You only have to come out the contract price first, can pay the etf later but still use the phone on gsm. Esn for CDMA isn't clean until etf is paid, but you're using gsm while you pay it off

 

[Satnam1989]

That's pretty crazy. I thought all carriers prorated. Well even so, it's still beneficial I think to do it this way. You only have to come out the contract price first, can pay the etf later but still use the phone on gsm. Esn for CDMA isn't clean until etf is paid, but you're using gsm while you pay it off

That is going to screw lots of people up in the future, the only main reason I recommended buying the Verizon 5S/5C for those that are paying full price is so that when the reselling time comes around - their potential buyers have options besides just sticking with GSM Carriers.

But should people not pay their ETF or even verify their ESN is clean after "paying off" their ETF or any owing fee's for the phones they got on subsidy, its going to be a loss for unsuspecting buyers and defeating the purpose of going through all the trouble of getting the Verizon 5S/5C vs AT&T, T-Mobile or simply just the GSM model.

 

[Akack]

So let me get this straight, if the Verizon 5s has a bad ESN you can still use the phone with GSM carriers, just not on Verizon?? Basically the bad verizon ESN doesn't "lock" out the GSM bands right?

 

[Fdfan100]

So let me get this straight, if the Verizon 5s has a bad ESN you can still use the phone with GSM carriers, just not on Verizon?? Basically the bad verizon ESN doesn't "lock" out the GSM bands right?

Correct

 

[Akack]

Correct

Wow. Good for people that use GSM carriers but bad for people on Verizon who are shopping for used phones on CL.

 

[andralauren]

Need Help - Currently have iPhone 4 but want to buy iPhone 5s

Hello,

I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

I currently own an iPhone 4. I want to buy a new iPhone (ideally 5s, but honestly, I just want an update, so I'd even go with a 5). I do not want to lose my unlimited data - I don't want to make any changes to my current cell phone plan. I use Verizon.

I do not mind paying full price for a phone, I just want to keep my unlimited data.

Since I have an iPhone 4, I've never had a SIM card. How can I buy a new iPhone, keep unlimited data, and activate my phone so it works?

 

[cwosigns]

Hello,

I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

I currently own an iPhone 4. I want to buy a new iPhone (ideally 5s, but honestly, I just want an update, so I'd even go with a 5). I do not want to lose my unlimited data - I don't want to make any changes to my current cell phone plan. I use Verizon.

I do not mind paying full price for a phone, I just want to keep my unlimited data.

Since I have an iPhone 4, I've never had a SIM card. How can I buy a new iPhone, keep unlimited data, and activate my phone so it works?

Just go to an Apple Store, tell them you want to buy a Verizon iPhone 5s and NOT use an upgrade (month-to-month, full retail price). They will sell you the phone, and activate it on your account. You will not lose your unlimited data.

 

[andralauren]

Just go to an Apple Store, tell them you want to buy a Verizon iPhone 5s and NOT use an upgrade (month-to-month, full retail price). They will sell you the phone, and activate it on your account. You will not lose your unlimited data.

Will that be the same if I go to a Target/Walmart that sells Apple products? I live in the middle of nowhere and the nearest Apple Store is 6 hours away.

 

[AndrewR23]

Just go to an Apple Store, tell them you want to buy a Verizon iPhone 5s and NOT use an upgrade (month-to-month, full retail price). They will sell you the phone, and activate it on your account. You will not lose your unlimited data.

I have AT&T. Cant I just buy the Verizon 5S full price, guy hands me the box and I leave?

 

[Akack]

Will that be the same if I go to a Target/Walmart that sells Apple products? I live in the middle of nowhere and the nearest Apple Store is 6 hours away.

Problem with that is walmart/target may not sell u a device only. They want the 2 year contract so they make the commission.....of course YMMV.

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I have AT&T. Cant I just buy the Verizon 5S full price, guy hands me the box and I leave?

Ya just say u want to purchase device only at full unsubsidized price.

 

[rdlink]

I have AT&T. Cant I just buy the Verizon 5S full price, guy hands me the box and I leave?

Don't think so. I think the only way you can do that is to have a VZ account already. Also, I think that the only way for the phone to work on other networks is for it to be activated on VZ beforehand. Others may be able to verify this.

 

[AndrewR23]

Don't think so. I think the only way you can do that is to have a VZ account already. Also, I think that the only way for the phone to work on other networks is for it to be activated on VZ beforehand. Others may be able to verify this.

Yes can others please verify this?

 

[cwosigns]

I have AT&T. Cant I just buy the Verizon 5S full price, guy hands me the box and I leave?

My experience on launch day was yes, but YMMV. They first rang me out, put the unopened box in a bag and tried to send me on my way. I am a Verizon customer, so I wanted to make sure it worked before I left so I had them open it and activate it on my account.

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Don't think so. I think the only way you can do that is to have a VZ account already. Also, I think that the only way for the phone to work on other networks is for it to be activated on VZ beforehand. Others may be able to verify this.

This has been discussed ad nauseum on here: the FCC REQUIRES that all of Verizon's LTE phones be unlocked, whether you buy them on contract or not. It makes ZERO difference if the phone is activated on Verizon's network first or not. The phone will with any nano-sim straight out of the box.

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Problem with that is walmart/target may not sell u a device only. They want the 2 year contract so they make the commission.....of course YMMV.

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Ya just say u want to purchase device only at full unsubsidized price.

I bought my 4S at an unsubsidized price at Target.

 

[Truefan31]

That is going to screw lots of people up in the future, the only main reason I recommended buying the Verizon 5S/5C for those that are paying full price is so that when the reselling time comes around - their potential buyers have options besides just sticking with GSM Carriers.

But should people not pay their ETF or even verify their ESN is clean after "paying off" their ETF or any owing fee's for the phones they got on subsidy, its going to be a loss for unsuspecting buyers and defeating the purpose of going through all the trouble of getting the Verizon 5S/5C vs AT&T, T-Mobile or simply just the GSM model.

Well I wasn't really thinking about screwing people over. Just that you don't have to have 750 up front per phone (32gb). 300 up front. Pay the etf in installments while using the phone on gsm networks. Once etf is paid you have a true world phone. Resale value should be higher on these.

Esn can be checked at any verizon store. It's cool that whoever gets it can really go to any us carrier (cept sprint).

 

[andralauren]

Since I currently have an iPhone 4, I do not have a SIM card. Will there be any difficultly in switching to an iPhone 5s? Do I need to get a SIM card? Can one get a SIM card without losing unlimited data?

 

[M5RahuL]

Don't think so. I think the only way you can do that is to have a VZ account already. Also, I think that the only way for the phone to work on other networks is for it to be activated on VZ beforehand. Others may be able to verify this.

That isn't correct. I have T-Mobile and bought the VZW 5S from the Apple store as ' device only '. Many here have done the same.

 

[AndrewR23]

That isn't correct. I have T-Mobile and bought the VZW 5S from the Apple store as ' device only '. Many here have done the same.

So you just walked into Apple, asked for a device only Verizon IPhone 5S and walked out??


I wonder why they wont sell me a Verizon device only really frustrating. Gonna be calling Apple today