Q: iPhone 4S unable to turn off 3G?!

AT&T isn't the only GSM provider in the US. An unlocked iPhone can be used on any domestic GSM carrier providing compatibility.

transmogrification wrote:

 

AT&T isn't the only GSM provider in the US. An unlocked iPhone can be used on any domestic GSM carrier providing compatibility.

AT&T is the only supported GSM carrier for the iPhone in the U.S. Using the iPhone on other GSM carriers (the only other major one is TMobile) means you don't get 3G speeds, visual voicemail, FaceTime.

@Allam Sampson

It could very well be a hardware limitation.  We don't know for sure, but just because other devices don't have the option does not mean it isn't possible.  But the point is that exposing the functionality would also have business implications, which often outweigh technical benefits.

From a little Googling, I found a post where people have managed to disable CDMA, but it also disables voice calling (they referred to it as LTE-only).  So perhaps the real fix is the rollout and support for LTE over EDGE and 3G.  It makes the most sense for development and marketing efforts to be focused in this area instead of legacy technologies.  Just one more reason we will never see the 3G off functionality rolled back into our iPhones.

Not true. GSM carrier H2O Wireless also officially supports the iPhone.

http://h2o-iphone.com/

I venture to say if this were possible, Apple would not have eliminated the option from the iPhone 4S when it is avaialble with the 3GS and iPhone 4 GSM running iOS 5. This was not removed by some whim or Apple randomly excluding or forgetting to include the option.

LTE-only - disabling CDMA is with an LTE compatible phone with Verizon's network. Verizon's CDMA network isn't going away anytime soon since they have rolled out their LTE network. One main reason for this is Verizon's LTE network will not be available everywhere just as their 3G CDMA network isn't available everywhere. All LTE compatible phones with Verizon's LTE network will be a combination LTE/CDMA phone for many years to come.

The same will apply with AT&T's network when AT&T rolls out their LTE network. AT&T's 3G/EDGE/GPRS network won't be going away anytime soon for the same reasons Verizon's CDMA network isn't going away anytime soon. All LTE compatible phones with AT&T's network will be a combination LTE/GSM phone to include 3G/EDGE/GPRS for many years to come.

You're correct. AT&T isn't the only one. The only other one is a company called C Spire. At least according to Apple:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937

If I recall correctly, C Spire is based primarily out of the Midwest. It does not have stores nationwide. And, it's primarily a CDMA carrier.

But we don't know that we will never see the 3G off functionality rolled back into the phone. We are suggesting it is a technical limitation and not a matter of will. There is no reason that limitation couldn't be overcome, we don't have enough info on that. It is simply the reasonable theory based on all the factors involved.

It is a reasonable and common sense "theory". There is no reason for Apple to exclude the option otherwise.

Like I said, provide a link to another cell phone with a combination GSM/CDMA chip that includes the option.

Exactly. I agree, totally.

There just needs to be more info on the hybrid chipset used in the 4S. Not many other hybrid chipsets like the iPhone 4S's to compare. Most other world phone dual CDMA/GSM hybrids such as the Blackberry were CDMA/GSM 2G radio only and wouldn't have that 3G/2G toggle switch, because there wasn't a GSM 3G radio.  Some of the modern competitor smartphones with hybrid chips that have the GSM 3G radio don't have the toggle either. I might be wrong.

Allan Sampson wrote:

 

It is a reasonable and common sense "theory". There is no reason for Apple to exclude the option otherwise.

 

Like I said, provide a link to another cell phone with a combination GSM/CDMA chip that includes the option.

The same could be said about lots of technological abilities not made available that were technically possible.  Technical common sense != business common sense.

This chipset is less than a year old, and the iPhone 4S has been available just under 2 months, and I'm not sure how many other scenarios there in which someone would want to do something like this.

You could be right, but there's no evidence one way or the other at this point, which is why both sides of this discussion are theories.

Provide a link to another cell phone with a combination GSM/CDMA chip that includes the option.

I wish Apple would come out with an official statement. You guys going back and forth is futile. If so many people are upset with the functionaly of their GSM iPhones then Apple has an obligation to at least acknowledge it.  For me, all I could do was return my 4s and go back to my 4 so I could have the toggle. They lost my money. 

Probably not going to happen which won't change anything. Whiners are going to whine regardless and it is impossible to please everyone. For anyone this is a must have option for, return the 4S as you did. Win some, lose some and sales of the 4S contunue to be through the roof.

I would like to return it, although sadly my carrier has no iPhone return policy.

We also have no Apple stores directly in Ireland.

All I want is the 3G switch and/or an update to the software to make the signal switching better.

Some feedback from Apple would be nice. Although, I am looking forward to iOS 5.0.2 and some extra fixes.

Apple has made their statement, the switch is not on the iPhone 4s. You are highly unlikely to hear anything further. If it can be done you might see it in an update. Doubt we are going to see a 5.0.2 since developers already have 5.1.