Ok, I've read a lot of mis/conflicting information about this - it seems like even Verizon employees do not know that the 4S has a CDMA antenna. So, my question is this: I have a factory unlocked iPhone 4S. It was bought for (and has been used with) an AT&T line. I have also tested it to work with a T-Mobile SIM. Will this phone work on Verizon or Sprint's network with their SIM card? Or is it somehow limited to GSM networks only? Any *correct* information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Will A Factory Unlocked iPhone 4S work on Verizon/Sprint?
- Thread starter fredleysir
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You should hav just asked apple or looked on apple.com where you bought the phone, but you wasted time with carriers who have unqualified workers majority of the time that feed you nothing but BS.
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Thank you for the quick response! Unfortunately the closest Apple store is about 45 min from me and I tried calling but the automated response system seems to want to do anything other than connect me to a real person.
Thank for you the info - so just to confirm, the short answer is NO - even a Verizon micro SIM won't work in this phone? And there is no way to flash the firmware or anything to those carriers networks? Seems strange to have both GSM and CDMA antenna in the phone if it's locked to GSM anyway.
Nothing you can do.
Verizon or Sprint will never activate it on their networks.
Only option is GSM carriers and there is plenty in the US.
Verizon or Sprint will never activate it on their networks.
Only option is GSM carriers and there is plenty in the US.
The problem isn't the phone, theoretically it should work as the phone has working CDMA antennas, however it's up to the CDMA networks to activate the phone. Both verizon and sprint will not activate it. I am not sure how prepaid CDMA carriers such as virgin do.
Also both Verizon and sprint do not have a sim for their CDMA network. Verizon's 4g lte phones do and switching those phones with the sim are a lot easier.
Also both Verizon and sprint do not have a sim for their CDMA network. Verizon's 4g lte phones do and switching those phones with the sim are a lot easier.
You either have to get Verizon to unlock the GSM side of the 4S for use on GSM carriers outside the US or get a gevey adapter to use any GSM carrier even US domestic ones.
The Verizon SIM card has two functions:
1) International roaming on GSM networks (Verizon is partially owned by Vodafone which has a lot of roaming agreements with GSM partners).
2) Certain US Verizon devices use a SIM card, but those are LTE device (which the iPhone does not have).
As with having both GSM and CDMA in one device? It's easier to make one device than two. In fact a phone can be designated a GSM or CDMA at point-of-sale oppose to at the factory. Finally there isn't anything as a GSM or CDMA antenna; GSM and CDMA run on the same frequencies, it's just the technology that uses these frequencies are different. Same frequencies mean they don't need separate antennae.