Can someone explain different iPhone 5 models?

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Level 1

24 points

Can someone explain different iPhone 5 models?

It seems the CDMA model A1429 works on the same GSM bands as the GSM A1429. Would I be able to get the CDMA version and then travel to Canada and then use the GSM bands there?

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)

Posted on Sep 12, 2012 2:59 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

rmiller88

Level 1

75 points

Sep 12, 2012 4:59 PM in response to Dominar

I think that any of the iPhone 5 models will be global phones in the same way that the iPhone 4S is. The non-CDMA versions will not be able to roam on Verizon in the US or the handful of other CDMA networks, but all phones support the common GSM networks and should be able to roam at 3G speeds almost anywhere.

The difference between the modelsonly seems to be for CDMA (GSM versions don't support it) and LTE (different models support different bands).

The big question I have is that the CMDA A1429 seems to be a complete superset of the GSM A1429, so why does the GSM version even exist?

From the spec sheet, the CMDA A1429 seems to be the most global.

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Answer 2

Sep 12, 2012 7:08 PM in response to rmiller88

I have a very similiar question (see thread https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4289903)

Why would I buy a phone in Australia (for example), if I can get an unlocked CDMA phone in the US for less price that will also work on the LTE network there (i.e. 1800Mhz with Telstra)?

Please don't say that there is not an unlocked CDMA model for sale in the US, that would just be cruel.

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Answer 3

Sep 12, 2012 7:20 PM in response to Dominar

I would love to know if the CDMA version from US would work in the Australian LTE networks, especially if they say "Band support does not guarantee support on all LTE networks running on the same bands."

We just have to wait and see when someone tries it out coming from/to Australia or vice versa.

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