How to pick the iPhone 5 model (CDMA, GSM, ETC...) when buying it unlocked online?

Question

How to pick the iPhone 5 model (CDMA, GSM, ETC...) when buying it unlocked online?

Hello,

I want to buy an unlocked iPhone 5 to be used with Virgin Mobile Canada. VMC uses CDMA network, and as some of you may know, iPhone 5 has 3 different models:

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)

So the first one, Model A1428 would not work with VMC i guess, right?

That leaves me with the other 2 models. The second one works with CDMA and GSM and LTE, so If i get this model, it should work on CDMA networks (Virgin Mobile) and GSM too (eg. Rogers), right? And LTE would work on both networks, right? (also whats the difference between the LTE bands? like what does it mean?)

So Virgin Mobile itself supplies customers with the A1429 model right (and so does Bell)? While Rogers supplied the A1428 one, right?

Finally, how do i PICK which model to buy? I mean when i go on apple.ca and "Buy iPhone", it doesnt ask to pick a model, so how do i specify which one to buy?

Thank you all (btw, please dont pay attention to my weird username as I once used this forum before and entered the topic in the username field, and it doesnt really give an option to change it in my profile, haha)

Thanks again!

Posted on Dec 3, 2012 6:33 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 3, 2012 6:36 PM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

oh and also, dothe second and third models have SIM slots? (the second one should, since it also supports GSM, right?) Thanks

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Answer 2

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Dec 3, 2012 8:11 PM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

You are probably better off buying the iPhone directly from Virgin Mobile.

If they are in fact CDMA, most CDMA carriers will not activate a device on their network unless it was specifically sold for their network. This would rule out an unlocked iPhone which will have the CDMA radio disabled.

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Answer 3

Dec 3, 2012 8:28 PM in response to diesel vdub

But i actually asked them, and they said that its fine to bring my own iPhone. I'm looking into a prepaid plan (that come with some data), so it shouldnt make a difference, because theyre gonna activate the sim card and ill go from there with top ups (so basically they wont even know what phone i'm using).

So anyway i asked them, and they said its ok. but i then thought of the whole cdma thing

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Answer 4

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Dec 4, 2012 3:38 AM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

According to this: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

You will want the A1428 if you want LTE support.

Are you certain that Virgin is a CDMA carrier?

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Answer 5

Dec 4, 2012 3:57 AM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

Yup im positive. They told me themselves, and they use bells network which is also CDMA.. So which models do they use themselves?

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Answer 6

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Dec 4, 2012 5:04 AM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

According to Apple, the A1428 is the model used.

You can always ask Virgin what model it is.

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Answer 7

Dec 4, 2012 3:44 PM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

They just told me that A1428 will because they also support HSPA/HSPA+ (which this model supports).

But any ideas why would they have CDMA (and Bell, too) if North American phones dont support CDMA?

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Answer 8

Dec 4, 2012 6:16 PM in response to ipod touch/music app ??

Bell Canada used to be a CDMA only network. In 2008 they added 3G to support iPhones and visitors roaming with 3G phones. They won't allow non-Bell CDMA phones on their network but unlocked GSM 3G phones can be used.

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