The SIM card always takes preference over the native CDMA signal (that's how the 4s was set up). So if you stick in an ATT Sim, it will take preference. In fact, with the iPhone 5 I think you need a SIM card even to use it on CDMA because of LTE (all Verizon LTE phones require a SIM card)
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Verizon iPhone 5 Confirmed to Be Unlocked on GSM 3G Networks
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The SIM card always takes preference over the native CDMA signal (that's how the 4s was set up). So if you stick in an ATT Sim, it will take preference. In fact, with the iPhone 5 I think you need a SIM card even to use it on CDMA because of LTE (all Verizon LTE phones require a SIM card)
These statements are ignorant.
Yes the phones all have the same Qualcomm chip. But each feature on the chip is enabled by Qualcomm firmware, and if you don't pay for a feature, you don't get it. If Apple did not pay Qualcomm for CDMA on the ATT model, it's not going to be there, regardless of what the hardware can do.
Thanks for the clarification. Band 7 and 8 are the important onces if they were included in the Iphone 5 way more people would be benefit from the phone and the LTE Networks.
But at least that means that you can buy a Verizon Iphone and can bring it over to Europe and you have HSPA+ and LTE in two countries.
Did you even read the first post?Nope, you have to buy the AT&T model in order to use the iPhone 5 on T-Mobile's LTE network.
It's beyond me why anyone goes with Verizon or AT&T. Both offer the same service as T-Mobile or Virgin, at almost double the price.
But hey, you get a subsidized phone....
The Verizon iPhone 5 purchased from Apple retail and sold as a "Device Only" purchase is working on AT&T and T-Mobile. You just don't get LTE on AT&T or anything above 2G in most T-Mobile areas until the refarming is complete.
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/09/21/...m-3g-networks/
http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/21/33...5-gsm-unlocked
Dave
No, this only applies to Verizon. As for other LTE phones, I would assume so......but I am not sure.
TMobile as well??
CDMA iPhones if someone lost it, I guess Apple rather have it still in use by the GSM finder, but banned on the CDMA network instead of it being just a music device
CDMA iPhones if someone lost it, I guess Apple rather have it still in use by the GSM finder, but banned on the CDMA network instead of it being just a music device
nooo if it cant get 4G or do simultaneous voice and data what is the point?
The Nexus has been able to do voice and data simultaneously since last year on VZW.
A Verizon "global roaming" specialist told me this morning that all of their LTE handsets and tablets (including the third-gen iPad) are sold unlocked. Not sure if that's true, but that's what she said.
----------
Agreed. I can't imagine it would go anywhere because I think this would be a pretty big draw for the Verizon iPhone 5. I'm thrilled with my decision to get the Verizon model over the other carriers.
Sure... it's software.
The phones are all capable of working on the same networks and frequencies.
Enabling all of those features all at once would be a severe power drain, so Apple programmed the chips to only use protocols and frequencies based on what carrier was getting the phone and what region of the world it was expected to be used in.
In short... they're all identical inside, it's the based band programming that is different.
Nothing "ignorant" about it and if you want to throw insults, at least understand what the real facts are first.
Qualcomm doesn't program the chip, Apple does.
With the cat out of the bag, is this something that can be changed ie. Verizon requesting Apple to lock Verizon to Verizon?
With all the hoopla, can Verizon come in and ruin the party by being a jerk?
And would Straight Talk have nano sim card (doesn'T ST use ATT) that one can use instead of a cut down att sim attached via tape and shoved in with a paper clip?
Finally, If you have a Verizon iP5 and put in an att sim and was on their network does that data time come off your Verizon contract or ATT who you have no deal with?
/
/
/
With all the hoopla, can Verizon come in and ruin the party by being a jerk?
And would Straight Talk have nano sim card (doesn'T ST use ATT) that one can use instead of a cut down att sim attached via tape and shoved in with a paper clip?
Finally, If you have a Verizon iP5 and put in an att sim and was on their network does that data time come off your Verizon contract or ATT who you have no deal with?
/
/
/
Read the specs
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)
CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)
GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)
there are three variety -
A1429 for Sprint, Verizon
A1428 for ATT
A1429 for Japan and AsiaPac
add to the chaos China and India are in different bands ...
wait till another three or four years then we will World-Mode LTE iPhone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)
CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)
GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)
there are three variety -
A1429 for Sprint, Verizon
A1428 for ATT
A1429 for Japan and AsiaPac
add to the chaos China and India are in different bands ...
wait till another three or four years then we will World-Mode LTE iPhone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
That would be consistent with the explanation I've seen elsewhere that Verizon is required to sell the phones unlocked as a stipulation of its license with the FCC for LTE Band C.
Don't you still need a Verizon calling plan?
Am I missing something or don't you still need a Verizon calling plan to use the Verizon iPhone? What would be the benefit of putting in an AT&T SIM on a Verizon phone? Wouldn't I have to have two plans which would mean double the cost of my phone to have a plan with both AT&T and Verizon?
Not sure I get why this is so killer if you are still on a contract with Verizon for 2 years regardless of being locked or not.
Am I missing something or don't you still need a Verizon calling plan to use the Verizon iPhone? What would be the benefit of putting in an AT&T SIM on a Verizon phone? Wouldn't I have to have two plans which would mean double the cost of my phone to have a plan with both AT&T and Verizon?
Not sure I get why this is so killer if you are still on a contract with Verizon for 2 years regardless of being locked or not.
If you bought the GSM version of the iPhone 5, and you paid retail price, the phone is FACTORY UNLOCKED, I can confirm this, I'm on AT&T and my contract ends in June 2013, I preordered a 32gb iPhone 5 and asked if I could use it with other carries around the WOLRD, I even asked if it can work on tmobile, I spoke with 4 apple reps and 1 supervisor, I will take pictures and video as proof.
I wonder if it is the same case on sprint as they are basically the same model.
----------
There are two models. A1428, A1429
The ones that are being sold in Europe has also CDMA band but turned off by default.
----------
There are two models. A1428, A1429
The ones that are being sold in Europe has also CDMA band but turned off by default.
Just got off the phone with the Verizon rep while awaiting mine in the mail today.
She confirmed that the Verizon iPhone 5 comes GSM Unlocked out of the box! That makes it a plug n play GSM World Phone for nano SIM cards. The video looks a bit sketch, will wait for a proper tutorial or cutting template to do it the right way and try out for myself :-D
She confirmed that the Verizon iPhone 5 comes GSM Unlocked out of the box! That makes it a plug n play GSM World Phone for nano SIM cards. The video looks a bit sketch, will wait for a proper tutorial or cutting template to do it the right way and try out for myself :-D
Why would a carrier have to officially sell a phone for a phone to be perfectly usable on its network? Maybe with CDMA but not with GSM, you buy your phone from whoever you want and use it on whoever carrier you want, provided it is not SIM-locked.
Do you have to activate VZW iPhone5 on their network first, in order to use it with other GSM networks, or it can be activated or bypassed via GSM?
I'm asking this because I live in Europe (and I'm using GSM) and have relatives in USA who use VZW. Do they have to activate it on VZW before sending the phone to me?
I'm asking this because I live in Europe (and I'm using GSM) and have relatives in USA who use VZW. Do they have to activate it on VZW before sending the phone to me?
In addition, every GSM-capable phone I have owned or borrowed to play with has a menu where you can select the carrier. On the iPhone it is under Settings -> Carrier, the default is Automatic but you can switch it to manual and then a list of all networks the phone currently sees becomes available and you can choose one. In the early days of international roaming, there sometimes were different rates with different carriers and smart people checked first which carrier in their target country had the cheapest roaming fees and then selected it manually.
It also still happens that if you are close to a border, the signal from a foreign carrier can be much stronger than that of your home country. Being able to manually select your home carrier can prevent expensive roaming surprises.
Last edited: