Is the iPhone 4S "world phone" locked or unlocked? And why can't I use an unlocked iPhone 4S with Verizon/Sprint?

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Is the iPhone 4S "world phone" locked or unlocked? And why can't I use an unlocked iPhone 4S with Verizon/Sprint?

After hearing that the iPhone 4S is a "world phone" that can "roam GSM networks in 200 countries around the world," I got to thinking how does this work and what are my options for purchasing with the intent to use the phone with various networks.

When they say "roam GSM networks", does this mean that the iPhone 4S is locked to one carrier (GSM or CDMA) but can $roam$ on someone elses network while abroad at a premium price (essentially what AT&T customers could do before I think)?

Or could it mean that the iPhone 4S is unlocked and I could swap in a GSM SIM chip from another country and use their network at THEIR rates? I'm guessing the former, but a true "world phone" would be the latter.

Additionally, the iPhone 4S is included on their "About the Unlocked iPhone" and states: "The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint."

Assuming that this statement holds true Friday and Apple offers an unlocked iPhone 4S, why doesn't it work with CDMA carriers if it has the CDMA chip to do it? I mean it's obvious that the iPhone 4 cannot, but an unlocked iPhone 4S seems that it should be able to work with either network.

I did ask an Apple Support staff through the Apple Store online and the staff person didn't seem to know anything about the iPhone 4S, particularly in terms of unlocked versions.

Thanks for your input.

Posted on Oct 5, 2011 7:55 AM

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Answer 1

wjosten

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95,321 points

Oct 5, 2011 7:58 AM in response to anthrovisual

Only the GSM version can be unlocked. The CDMA versions cannot be unlocked...AFAIK, there are no unlocked CDMA smart phones(similar to the iPhone) available anywhere in the world.

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Answer 2

Oct 5, 2011 8:02 AM in response to anthrovisual

Existing GSM iPhones will not work on CDMA networks because they don't have the right type of cellular radio. It doesn't matter if they're locked or unlocked. It would be like trying to get an FM signal on an AM only radio. It's just not possible.

The iPhone 4S has both CDMA and GSM capabilities. CDMA phones are not locked in the same way that GSM phones are. But, technical details aside, Sprint phones will not work on Verizon's network and vice versa. It's not clear, to me at least, how this will all play out with the 4S.

AT&T has only ever sold locked iPhones which they won't unlock. I haven't heard that they plan on doing any differently. The unlocked GSM iPhones that you can buy at the Apple Store can use any GSM SIM.

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Answer 3

Oct 5, 2011 9:14 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Meg St._Clair wrote:

Existing GSM iPhones will not work on CDMA networks because they don't have the right type of cellular radio. It doesn't matter if they're locked or unlocked. It would be like trying to get an FM signal on an AM only radio. It's just not possible.

The iPhone 4S has both CDMA and GSM capabilities. CDMA phones are not locked in the same way that GSM phones are. But, technical details aside, Sprint phones will not work on Verizon's network and vice versa. It's not clear, to me at least, how this will all play out with the 4S.

AT&T has only ever sold locked iPhones which they won't unlock. I haven't heard that they plan on doing any differently. The unlocked GSM iPhones that you can buy at the Apple Store can use any GSM SIM.

So if I'm a Verizon iPhone 4S user, would I be able to use the 4S if I went to Ukraine and bought a SIM card from an MTS store for their network?

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Answer 4

Oct 5, 2011 9:52 AM in response to jimmymclark

jimmymclark wrote:

So if I'm a Verizon iPhone 4S user, would I be able to use the 4S if I went to Ukraine and bought a SIM card from an MTS store for their network?

As I said, I don't know how this is all going to work for the CDMA carriers. What I can tell you is that Verizon will unlock the GSM part of their global phones for people who have been customers for, I believe, 6 months. So, I can get Verizon to unlock my BB Storm and then I could use it in the Ukraine with a local SIM. Whether they will do something similar with the iPhone, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.

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Answer 5

anthrovisual Author

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10 points

Oct 5, 2011 10:32 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

That's really interesting. It would be pretty awesome if one could get a Verizon phone, then when the contract is over at least be free to choose a GSM alternative. But that is at the mercy of Verizon 😟 it sounds like.

We'll just have to see this Friday if specifics are revealed. The iPhone generally gets special treatment when it comes to unlocking and freedom. I won't hold my breath.

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Answer 6

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,129 points

Oct 5, 2011 10:33 AM in response to jimmymclark

If they handle it the same way they handle their other 'world phones', the answer is probably no. You will need to get a SIM from Verizon and pay international roaming rates to use it abroad.

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Answer 7

Oct 5, 2011 10:39 AM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim wrote:

If they handle it the same way they handle their other 'world phones', the answer is probably no. You will need to get a SIM from Verizon and pay international roaming rates to use it abroad.

No, you don't. If you're an existing customer, Verizon will unlock your global phone and you can use a local SIM. Whether they will continue this policy with the iPhone is not yet known.

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Answer 8

Oct 5, 2011 11:22 AM in response to anthrovisual

Apple should be selling contract fee iPhone 4s models in the US these ARE unlocked so could be used with Verizonor Sprint CDMA or ATT GSM networks.

They won't be cheap however. the current IPhone 4 is i think something like $699 off contract and unlocked as a GSM iPhone.

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Answer 9

KiltedTim

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195,129 points

Oct 5, 2011 11:32 AM in response to Keith Doherty3

According to Apple, the unlocked iPhone 4S will NOT work with ANY CDMA carrier. They do contain the same hardware, but are GSM only in operation.

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Answer 10

anthrovisual Author

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10 points

Oct 5, 2011 11:39 AM in response to KiltedTim

But why is it that I can take an unlocked iPhone 4S to any GSM carrier and start using it but I cannot take an unlocked iPhone 4S to Verizon or Sprint?

Is it a technical thing (where it is technologically impossible for a phone to be unlocked before joining a CDMA network?) or based on some policy that CDMA carriers do not accept unlocked phones. You are either locked in or locked out?

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Answer 11

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,129 points

Oct 5, 2011 11:53 AM in response to anthrovisual

There's no technical reason why you shouldn't be able to do exactly that. I would tend to blame it on the carriers. Due to the technicalities of how CDMA networks and phones operate, they have the luxury of tell you you can't do that and forcing you to buy a phone from them.

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Answer 12

anthrovisual Author

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10 points

Oct 5, 2011 12:38 PM in response to KiltedTim

So then in theory, if I wanted to switch from Verizon to AT&T (or any GSM network) at the end of my 2 years, while being possible in terms of technology, I would still need Verizon's blessing to free my GSM component?

I thought AT&T was controlling but it sounds like there is no escape.

Does anyone know if Sprint works the same way without assuming?

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Answer 13

KiltedTim

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195,129 points

Oct 5, 2011 12:52 PM in response to anthrovisual

Yes. You would still need Verizon to unlock it. I suspect that just like AT&T will not unlock an iPhone for any reason, neither will Verizon, or Sprint for that matter. You will generally find that, in most countries where iPhones can be unlocked (as opposed to sold unlocked, which is a different matter) they have laws that require the carriers to unlock phones under certain conditions.

There are no such laws or regulations in the U.S., therefore the carriers won't do it. It's not in their financial best interest to do so.

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Answer 14

dlim899

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2011 11:24 AM in response to KiltedTim

Phone are "Carrier Locked" purely for marketing purposes. If they sell unlocked phones, then consumer are free to choose which ever carrier they want. Which is GREAT for us consumers but BAD for carriers. Yes, we are at their mercy if they will unlock a phone or not. It still remains a toss up if Verizon will unlock the GSM capability, as far as I know, even if they do, in the US, all Verizon iPhone 4s are locked to their CDMA network even if the GSM is unlocked. No way around it. You can only use local SIM outside of the US. Again, I could be wrong. They may not even unlocked the GSM part.

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Answer 15

anthrovisual Author

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10 points

Oct 7, 2011 2:43 PM in response to dlim899

My took away from another discussion combined with this one is that if the iPhone 4S is treated like other world phones on the Verizon network (and I would assume the other networks), that you would only get your GSM unlocked when traveling in a part of the world that Verizon (insert carrier) cannot provide you roaming coverage. Otherwise, your GSM is locked and Verizon doesn't have a care to unlock it for any other reason. And when you return, they'll lock it back up.

What really gets on my nerves is that they all have the capability (at least for GSM) and yet even when your contract is up, they pretend they don't. Some time ago I would say I don't understand how they can keep your phone locked after you finished your contract and want to leave, but now I know the game. If you buy a locked device in the US, even at full price, expect nothing short of greedy control from your carrier.

I plan on calling up some carriers this weekend to make sure my take away is accurate, but regardless, I'm buying mine unlocked from Apple in November and taking it where I please (US AND abroad). Joe Pug says, "the more I buy the more I'm bought, and the more I'm bought, the less I cost." I'm tired of being bought for less and less.

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