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Unlocked iPhone 5s model number A1533..is this CDMA compatible?

Bacong

Bacong

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Mar 7, 2009
2,622
1,143
Westland, Michigan
My iPhone 5s that I purchased from the Apple Store unlocked is ME296LL/A with a model number of A1533. I googled this model number and it is the same for both GSM and CDMA models..but I've heard that there's somehow a different version for Verizon that is unlocked for GSM, but that the unlocked GSM model isn't necessarily Verizon compatible..my question obviously is, will my unlocked 5s work on Verizon? I know the LTE will work, but it also requires CDMA to connect to the network.

Kinda confusing, eh?
 
Bacong said:
My iPhone 5s that I purchased from the Apple Store unlocked is ME296LL/A with a model number of A1533. I googled this model number and it is the same for both GSM and CDMA models..but I've heard that there's somehow a different version for Verizon that is unlocked for GSM, but that the unlocked GSM model isn't necessarily Verizon compatible..my question obviously is, will my unlocked 5s work on Verizon? I know the LTE will work, but it also requires CDMA to connect to the network.

Kinda confusing, eh?
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, two models different hardware. If you did not specifically get the verizon version, the phone is missing CDMA hardware, and thus cannot connect to Verizon's network.
 
Won't work because Verizon will only allow their own phone on their network. Same with Sprint. No way around it. :mad:
 
Bacong said:
My iPhone 5s that I purchased from the Apple Store unlocked is ME296LL/A with a model number of A1533. I googled this model number and it is the same for both GSM and CDMA models..but I've heard that there's somehow a different version for Verizon that is unlocked for GSM, but that the unlocked GSM model isn't necessarily Verizon compatible..my question obviously is, will my unlocked 5s work on Verizon? I know the LTE will work, but it also requires CDMA to connect to the network.

Kinda confusing, eh?
Click to expand...

Just saw this
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/2...hone-5s-models-in-u-s-with-1-2-week-shipping/

As Apple notes on the store page, unlocked iPhone 5s devices are model are A1533 and are compatible only with GSM networks.
Click to expand...
 
I7guy said:
I know what you mean, two models different hardware. If you did not specifically get the verizon version, the phone is missing CDMA hardware, and thus cannot connect to Verizon's network.
Click to expand...
It's not missing hardware. Reason is in the reply after your own.
 
Best way to verify if your A1533 is CDMA or GSM + CDMA is by simply going to Settings -- General -- About and see if there is a mention of "MEID" <--- if it exists = Verizon iPhone 5S = Fully compatible with all north american GSM Networks + LTE and Full Verizon CDMA + LTE.
 
I7guy said:
Not true according to apple, there is a model a1533 gsm and a1533 CDMA and a1453 presumably sprint. The gsm version either has CDMA disabled or is missing CDMA hardware.
Click to expand...

I believe the main issue is that unless the ID of the phone is in their database as "OK" a CDMA network (which doesn't use SIM cards, at least in the US) the network won't recognize the phone, and nothing requires Sprint or Verizon to add a phone they didn't sell to their network.
 
IpadSC400 said:
To spell it out for you, Verizon is crap. Sprint is crappier.
Click to expand...

WTF are you talking about? VZW might be expensive, but at least out here in California their coverage is the best, period. TMo is absolute crap out here unless your in LA.

Bacong said:
My iPhone 5s that I purchased from the Apple Store unlocked is ME296LL/A with a model number of A1533. I googled this model number and it is the same for both GSM and CDMA models..but I've heard that there's somehow a different version for Verizon that is unlocked for GSM, but that the unlocked GSM model isn't necessarily Verizon compatible..my question obviously is, will my unlocked 5s work on Verizon? I know the LTE will work, but it also requires CDMA to connect to the network.

Kinda confusing, eh?
Click to expand...

For your iPhone it would have to have been bought a Verizon model. While Verizon 5ses will work on Verizon + GSM carriers, a regular unlocked phone will only work on GSM carriers.

Like someone else said, go into the About panel and if there is mention of an MEID number, it is a Verizon model. If there isn't, its a standard Unlocked/GSM model. Very confusing, not like the iPhone 5 where the Verizon model had its own model number (of course that model will only work with Verizon LTE, and HSPA+/HSPA/EDGE elsewhere).
 
iamMacPerson said:
WTF are you talking about? VZW might be expensive, but at least out here in California their coverage is the best, period. TMo is absolute crap out here unless your in LA.
Click to expand...

I guess he was talking about the tech that both Verizon and Sprint use - CDMA, in which case I could agree. Too bad Verizon didn't build their network out on GSM.
 
wordoflife said:
I guess he was talking about the tech that both Verizon and Sprint use - CDMA, in which case I could agree. Too bad Verizon didn't build their network out on GSM.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that I would agree with. I would like to have Talk and Data at the same time, but whats the point of having it when I don't get a signal *cough* *cough* AT&T *cough*.

It would be interesting if the next VZW iPhone will support SVDO/SVLTE. That would be sweet. Verizon still supports that right?
 
The Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile phone are all the same hardware-wise.

The only difference is the Verizon model has been designated as such, has the CDMA portion of the chipset activated, and so can be activated on Verizon.
 
iamMacPerson said:
Yeah, that I would agree with. I would like to have Talk and Data at the same time, but whats the point of having it when I don't get a signal *cough* *cough* AT&T *cough*.

It would be interesting if the next VZW iPhone will support SVDO/SVLTE. That would be sweet. Verizon still supports that right?
Click to expand...

The 5s supposedly supports volte. It's verizon that has to enable it in their infrastructure.
 
Hi
I want to buy this phone. A1533 cdma/gsm for indonesia.
1. Is gsm 3 g ?
2. Is cdma inject or simcard alot. In indonesia injedt doesn't work well.
3. Is china safe to buy or if You suggest any saffest online web.
Thanka.
 
Malhotrapuneet said:
Hi
I want to buy this phone. A1533 cdma/gsm for indonesia.
1. Is gsm 3 g ?
2. Is cdma inject or simcard alot. In indonesia injedt doesn't work well.
3. Is china safe to buy or if You suggest any saffest online web.
Thanka.
Click to expand...

1. GSM is the cellular technology that most carriers use. 3G is a part of it. That also includes 4G HSPA and LTE. Not sure what you have in Indonesia.
2. I'm not sure what you mean. CDMA is the other technology that some carriers use. It's like GSM but not as many carriers use it. Most carriers these days use SIM cards since phones are becoming more general and able to be used on most carriers in a given region.
3. Be very careful with buying from China. Lots of fake iPhone look-a-likes come from there. It's best to buy from Apple or your carrier if they sell them.

This iPhone a1533 is specifically designed to work in North America. It may not have the bands that Indonesian carriers use meaning you might not be able to access the network you want. There is an iPhone 5s a1530 that is designed for the Asia Pacific region. Not sure if that includes Indonesia, but it is designed for some Chinese carriers,
Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, etc. You might ask your carrier if they have a suggestion for which one to buy.
 
weill I phone 5S model A1533 of verizon CDMA works with India GSM network

i am purchasing the verizon CDMA I phone 5S model A1533 and would like to use in india with GSM networks (airtel, vodafone, aircel) , can anyone please provide info will it work
 
sksbasha said:
i am purchasing the verizon CDMA I phone 5S model A1533 and would like to use in india with GSM networks (airtel, vodafone, aircel) , can anyone please provide info will it work
Click to expand...
A Verizon iPhone 5s is factory unlocked, so it should work fine on other GSM networks (domestic or international).
 
weill I phone 5S model A1533 of verizon CDMA works with India GSM network

Thanks for the update. cheers
 
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