Unlocked iPhone 5 Which version is better: Verizon or AT&T?

[Lick]

I plan on heading to an apple store to pick up a "device only" 64GB iPhone this week but I'm torn on which is the better buy. Now that it's apparent Verizon iPhones are unlocked and useable on AT&T / T mobile 3G would it not be wiser to go with a full price Verizon model over the At&T one. Is there any other differential between the two? I'm mainly interested for resale value going forward.

If I understand it correctly the Verizon version is compatible with all US GSM up to 3G plus it can obviously be used with Verizon 4G. The AT&T version can do all GSM 4G but is can't do Verizon which oddly enough makes it more limited. So what is the more versitile version and can the Verizon iphone handle the fake AT&T 4G (HSPDA + or w/e its called)

I'll likely be sticking this thing on straight talk since there's really no 4G in my area and NY cell surcharges make plans filthy expensive. Which begs the question any chance of straight talk getting some of AT&T's 4G in the future because that would make the choice easy.

 

[ECJ]

I would go for the Verizon version. Thats the version that I picked, since it also offers LTE in other markets besides the US. It can't use AT&T's LTE network, but their 4G is pretty good and more widely available than their LTE, if you have to go that route.

Also I think the Verizon version will have a higher resale if you choose to sell it at a later date. Just my .02.

 

[bidwalj]

other than what you have already mentioned, it boils down to international LTE.

The verizon version will work with asian and euro LTE bands and the att one will work with canadian LTE.

 

[apierrec]

Go with iP5 Verizon.

I have this same sort of dilemma and am going with 64GB Black Verizon iP5 unlock no interest 18 months at Best Buy. hehe That is as soon as after Best Buy done supplying their employees and friends of their limited iP5 supplies. Maybe once iP5s is available at Apple Store, BB will have my iP5 ready for
pick-up. *Sigh* /end of rant, sorry

If am not mistaken iP5 Verizon can handle AT&T's "fake 4G or 3.5G" as long as you have an active or valid (pseudo) AT&T nano sim card.

How much or what kind of plan straighttalk has?

Wish other non-major carriers' pay as you go have LTE capability & compatibility on iP5 Verizon.

Do you know what's Verizon's plans or have on pay as you go / monthly no contract for their iP5?

I still want to taste the power of LTE from time to time (even possibly on compatible LTE technology overseas) so I'll keep using my AT&T nano sim card on an iP5 Verizon until my contract expires because I have a grandfathered unlimited data on it.

 

[Robbkt]

Apierrec so you buy a Verizon one unlocked and use a different sim?
Could you try if it works with various sim, someone says to me that once you insert the first sim, you can't use another sim from another operator.
The best buy Verizon unlock is the same as the apple Verizon device only?

 

[Applejuiced]

If you're planning on using it mostly in the US then get the AT&T version.
If you want to use it mainly outside the US and Canada then get the Verizon one.

 

[Robbkt]

I plan to use it in Europe and the Verizon model is the same selling here but I have doubt about this possibility of sim locking after first insertion. If I want to change carrier I would know tha I can do this

 

[Mr Hill]

I plan to use it in Europe and the Verizon model is the same selling here but I have doubt about this possibility of sim locking after first insertion. If I want to change carrier I would know tha I can do this

Verizon already announced that they will be leaving the iPhone 5 unlocked.

 

[icyfire]

If you're planning on using it mostly in the US then get the AT&T version.

Why?

 

[Applejuiced]

Why?

Because in the US you can use lte with AT&T and with Tmobile soon.

 

[0007776]

Since it sounds like you will mostly be using the phone in the US go for the AT&T one, the only reason to go with the Verizon one is if you actually want to use it on Verizon or you want LTE outside of North America.

 

[kre62]

AT&T version for sure.

It also comes unlocked. For sure for sure. i have one.

It can use the LTE networks her and in Canada.

The only LTE networks the Verizon model can use are ones in Japan:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

To use LTE in Europe, you need the Europe model. Cant buy that here.

AT&T model.

 

[AR15MBP]

Why?

Because in the US you can use lte with AT&T and with Tmobile soon.

The Verizon version will be able to use Tmobile's 1900 LTE band.

http://9to5mac.com/2012/09/24/verizon-iphone-5-wont-ever-be-locked-most-likely-due-to-the-fcc/

 

[Shanpdx]

Guys,

the LTE portion of the Verizon iPhone 5 is locked to Verizon only...

3G
the only unlocked portion is 3G - HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA

LTE
in USA, if you buy either ATT or Verizon model, the LTE is locked to their network.

If you buy Verizon - it might be supported in AsiaPacific again it is true ONLY if the LTE portion also unlocked

If you buy ATT - it might be supported in Canada again it is true ONLY if the LTE portion also unlocked

But i am not sure when Apple release the true unlocked iPhone (what LTE band it has)

Do I make sense? or I am wrong also?

----------

It also comes unlocked. For sure for sure. i have one.

what you mean by that? what SIM cards you tried? t-mobile? straight talk?

 

[Applejuiced]

Since it sounds like you will mostly be using the phone in the US go for the AT&T one, the only reason to go with the Verizon one is if you actually want to use it on Verizon or you want LTE outside of North America.

Exactly.

The Verizon version will be able to use Tmobile's 1900 LTE band.

http://9to5mac.com/2012/09/24/verizon-iphone-5-wont-ever-be-locked-most-likely-due-to-the-fcc/

Cool, that's good to know.

 

[Shanpdx]

http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

 

[AR15MBP]

http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

While it looks like they may be locked LTE wise, the Verizon version has the same LTE bands as the "unlocked" version so that probably gives more flexibility for the international traveler. You will probably need to pay Verizon ridiculous rates, but at least you have the option.

 

[darster]

http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Thanks. Looks like the Verizon model supports all the LTE bands in Europe, Australia and parts of Asia. AT&T does not. Verizon bands 1,3,5,13,25. Europe bands are 1.3 and 5. No brainer if your travels take you to places other than Canada. The Verizon phone is truly a world phone. The AT&T is not.

 

[Coleman2010]

Guys,

the LTE portion of the Verizon iPhone 5 is locked to Verizon only...

3G
the only unlocked portion is 3G - HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA

LTE
in USA, if you buy either ATT or Verizon model, the LTE is locked to their network.

If you buy Verizon - it might be supported in AsiaPacific again it is true ONLY if the LTE portion also unlocked

If you buy ATT - it might be supported in Canada again it is true ONLY if the LTE portion also unlocked

But i am not sure when Apple release the true unlocked iPhone (what LTE band it has)

Do I make sense? or I am wrong also?

----------



what you mean by that? what SIM cards you tried? t-mobile? straight talk?

That is not correct.

Verizon/Sprint iPhone 5
Model A1429
(CDMA model)

LTE Bands Supported
1 (2100 MHz)
3 (1800 MHz)
5 (850 MHz)
13 (700c MHz)
25 (1900 MHz)

LTE Bands used in Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore.
1 (2100 MHz)
3 (1800 MHz)
5 (850 MHz)

The Verizon LTE will work in all of the countries listed above.

AT&T iPhone 5
Model A1428
(GSM model)

LTE Bands Supported
4 (AWS)
17 (700b MHz)

LTE Bands used in United States & Canada
4 (AWS)
17 (700b MHz)

 

[Prime85]

I will go going to the Apple Store tomorrow and hoping they have some available to buy "device only" as they called it when i called the store today. Does anyone know the frequency that T-mobile is using for its LTE-Advanced network?

This way i get whichever one will give me LTE on T-Mobile when their network is up next summer.

 

[Shanpdx]

That is not correct.

remember supported frequency and locked is different.

I bet Verizon iPhone 5 will not work on other LTE networks (only on 3G networks)

 

[Applejuiced]

remember supported frequency and locked is different.

I bet Verizon iPhone 5 will not work on other LTE networks (only on 3G networks)

That's a good point too.
The hardware does support it but is the Verizon's i5 only gsm portion unlocked but not the lte?
Only way to tell for sure would be to grab one and try to use it with a European lte nano sim.

 

[Coleman2010]

That's a good point too.
The hardware does support it but is the Verizon's i5 only gsm portion unlocked but not the lte?
Only way to tell for sure would be to grab one and try to use it with a European lte nano sim.

True. Someone buy a Verizon i5, hop on a plane to Europe and test it for us.

 

[Applejuiced]

True. Someone buy a Verizon i5, hop on a plane to Europe and test it for us.

Yes, on the double please so I know what one to buy for my cousin in Europe

 

[Prime85]

Lol guess i will get the AT&T one then.... Lets just hope they have it in stock tomorrow