iPhone 11 Pro US iPhone in Spain

[Robopilingui]

Hi folks,

Maybe this is a too global forum for this topic, but I have the chance of buying an iPhone 11 Pro Max in the US saving around $350 compared to the retail price in Spain. My only doubt is about connectivity. Do you know if I will have any problem with LTE speed/coverage with the US model (A2161) compared to a Spanish model (A2218) while using it in Spain (or outside the US)?

Thanks!

 

[cmaier]

Hi folks,

Maybe this is a too global forum for this topic, but I have the chance of buying an iPhone 11 Pro Max in the US saving around $350 compared to the retail price in Spain. My only doubt is about connectivity. Do you know if I will have any problem with LTE speed/coverage with the US model (A2161) compared to a Spanish model (A2218) while using it in Spain (or outside the US)?

Thanks!

Perhaps this will help

iPhone 11 Pro Max Model Number A2161, A2218, A2220 Differences - TechWalls

iPhone 11 Pro Max comes in three different model numbers, which are A2161, A2218, and A2220. Identifying the model number is important because each is made for a specific country/region.

www.techwalls.com

 

[saber32au]

The main thing you'll need to look out for is the LTE bands that are used by the Spanish phone companies.

IE: Lets say the iPhone supports bands 1, 2, & 3 (example only)

If the Spanish mobile network doesn't support any of the bands listed above, you can't use the phone in Spain.

If the Spanish mobile network provider supports only band 1 (or band 2 or 3), you can only use the phone in areas which has band 1 (or 2 or 3) coverage.

If the Spanish mobile network provider supports bands 1 and 2, your phone will only operate in areas with bands 1 & 2 coverage. Rinse and repeat for any other band combination.

Your best bet is to:
* Look at each Spanish mobile provider, and find out which bands they support (wiki is a good place to look)
* Look at the iPhone you want to purchase, and see which bands it supports.

Hope that helps!

 

[sunsetrunner]

Hi folks,

Maybe this is a too global forum for this topic, but I have the chance of buying an iPhone 11 Pro Max in the US saving around $350 compared to the retail price in Spain. My only doubt is about connectivity. Do you know if I will have any problem with LTE speed/coverage with the US model (A2161) compared to a Spanish model (A2218) while using it in Spain (or outside the US)?

Thanks!

Don’t you worry. You can use your A2160&61 iPhone 11 Pro in Spain without any problem. But the opposite, if you’d bought an A2215&18 model from Spain and tried to use it in US -especially on Verizon or Sprint networks- might cause problems in some bands. For example in Canada people also use A2160&61 models officially in their GSM networks. Until Xs series all iPhones sold in Canada used to be same models with European countries and there always used to be two different models in US for every iPhone until Xs. One GSM-only model, one GSM+CDMA (global) model. But that’s changed since Xs models released. Just check the official model numbers by country list:

iPhone - Supported 5G and LTE networks

See the countries and regions that have certified 5G and LTE networks on iPhone including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, China mainland, and more.

www.apple.com

When it comes to 1-year international warranty though, in-store device replacements might take more time than usual in Spin since European Apple Stores usually don’t have US (A2160&61) swap devices in stock.

 

[sirghost]

The Phone sold in Spain and in most of the world is missing band 71, only used currently in the US and the one sold in the US is missing band 28. So, check with your provider and see if they require the use of band 28 or not as if they do not then you will be fine.

 

[Robopilingui]

Thanks for the replies guys. According to my carrier, the bands they use are:

1 - (2100 MHz)
3 - (1800 MHz)
7 - (2600 MHz)
8 - (900 MHz)
20 - (800 DD)
32 - (1500 L-band)
38 - (TD 2600)
42 - (TD 3500)

The only missing one in the A2161 is the band 32. It seems this band will be on of the 5G bands in Spain so, as iPhone 11 Pro is not 5G compatible, I shouldn't worry. Am I right?

 

[saber32au]

It seems this band will be on of the 5G bands in Spain so, as iPhone 11 Pro is not 5G compatible, I shouldn't worry. Am I right?

If what you say is correct, then you will be fine.

So, check with your provider and see if they require the use of band 28 or not as if they do not then you will be fine.

+1

Telstra (Australia's biggest Telco) used band 28 in many rural areas. I can't remember what the other Telco's use, but getting a phone that is compatible with band 28 is highly desirable. Fortunately, band 28 has been on iPhones (the international model) for many years. GSMarena states the iPhone 6 came with band 28!