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iPhone 5 CDMA model A1429* Question

I've been looking to buy the iPhone 5 unlocked from the US store as I currently live in the UK but will be moving to the US soon.

I understand that the network I am with in the UK (Orange) are a GSM based network and that the GSM (AT&T) model of the iphone will work with my Orange sim card when I travel back to the uk.

However, looking at the iPhone 5 specs and I can see that the CDMA model (Verizon and Sprint) has GSM also built into it, and the GSM frequencies are the same as the UK unlocked iPhone 5. Here are the specs for the CDMA US unlocked iPhone 5:

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)

Also notice that the LTE bands are the same as the UK model, which makes me think that I'll be able to get 4G in the UK (When it comes out) and 4g on Verizon when I am in the US. Here are the specs for the UK unlocked iPhone 5:

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)

You can tell the versions apart from this LTE Chart: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Am I correct in all this?

My idea was to use an Orange nano sim when I am in the Uk and then a Verizon nano sim when I am in the US.

Can anyone shed light on the subject?

Posted on Sep 14, 2012 2:35 PM

Best reply

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,573 points

Posted on Sep 14, 2012 2:47 PM

The CDMA versions are permanently locked to their respective carriers (Verizon and Sprint) and can not be used with any other carrier when in the US. It is possible for the carriers to unlock the SIM slot for use with foreign carriers when roaming internationally. They will only do this for customers in good standing.

It appears that you would be able to get LTE coverage while in the UK based on what you posted.

Kep in mind though, that the CDMA phones will not support simultaneous voice and cellular data access on the networks in the US due to their single radio design.

You might be better served to purchase an unlocked iPhone 5 in the UK. If that one will not use the AT&T LTE network, at least it would be able to access their HSPA+ network, which is substantially faster than 3G and allows for simultaneous voice and data.

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33 replies

Dec 3, 2012 7:18 PM in response to KiltedTim

Why do you insist on misinforming people? First you said "no way they'll be gsm unlocked from Verizon." Wrong. Then you had the nerve to come back and say wrong information on cdma as well? Go away, man. You aren't helping this thread in any way whatsoever.

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,573 points

Dec 4, 2012 4:11 AM in response to JSims77521

You don't know what you're talking about. The an iPhone can only be used on the CDMA carrier it was intended for. Flashing them to a different network would be hacking, if it would even work, and the CDMA carriers will not let you bring your own phone anyway.

pao2

Level 1

1 points

Feb 24, 2013 12:00 AM in response to jonthndaniel724

what i mean is most of the time im in ASIA & middle east, but my current country doesnt have yet LTE so this coming month i will go in ASIA where LTE is available, so can i use the iPhone 5 verizon over LTE with other carriers?

iPhone 5 CDMA model A1429* Question