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Which iPhone SE model# to buy?

J

jetlagged

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 6, 2012
520
192
My iPhone 5 is due for replacement. Bought it since 2012. I was with Verizon but cancelled my plan since I am traveling long term. Luckily my iPhone 5 works with all the local SIM cards so far in my travels. I'm currently traveling and won't be back in the USA until the end of the year. I don't know which wireless company I'm going with, but I want it to work withthe 4 major ones. So which iPhone SE model do I buy?

Cellular and Wireless
Model A1662*
LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29)

CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)

UMTS/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Model A1723*
LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28)

TD‑LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)

TD‑SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)

CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)

UMTS/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

All models
802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi

Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology

NFC
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm only buying a new iPhone coz my current iPhone 5 doesn't work anymore. I was thinking a1723 model because it has more bands. i will probably end up buying the SE when I go to Japan next week. It's only $50 more than the USA price. but on average, iPhone prices outside the USA is like $200 more usually
 
If you're buying it for use in the US, I would get A1662 unless there's a really good chance you'll go with Sprint.

Either model is fine for AT&T or T-Mobile, but A1662 lacks band 41, which is what Sprint uses for LTE Plus (basically just faster LTE). It's a high frequency band, so you won't get worse coverage by not having this band. You'll just potentially get faster speeds in areas where it's available.

The Sprint model lacks band 13, which is Verizon's main LTE band. It's the only low frequency band Verizon uses, so if you did go with Verizon, you'd have much worse coverage with the Sprint model than the other one.
 
jetlagged said:
i will probably end up buying the SE when I go to Japan next week. It's only $50 more than the USA price. but on average, iPhone prices outside the USA is like $200 more usually
Click to expand...

Be aware that the Japanese model will have an audible camera shutter that you cannot mute without jailbreaking.
 
I have the A1162 model which I got at the US Apple store unlocked. So far it's worked in Asia and Europe. I think it'll work worldwide.
 
EDH667 said:
Be aware that the Japanese model will have an audible camera shutter that you cannot mute without jailbreaking.
Click to expand...

Lol why is that anyways? Is that for security and safety reason? I'm imagining it's to prevent lonely middle age salarymen from taking pictures of Japanese schoolgirls on the train?

alrigh, I just googled it, hahaha, my suspicion was confirmed. Maybe I'll just buy it in Taiwan instead.
 
jetlagged said:
Lol why is that anyways? Is that for security and safety reason? I'm imagining it's to prevent lonely middle age salarymen from taking pictures of Japanese schoolgirls on the train?

alrigh, I just googled it, hahaha, my suspicion was confirmed. Maybe I'll just buy it in Taiwan instead.
Click to expand...
Just some regulation that they have in relation to it in Japan.
 
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