Can you switch an unlocked 5s between GSM and CDMA

The info you are reading is over three years old - ages in the technological world. Here is an article that is more up to date:

http://www.pcmag.com/news/347728/if-you-want-to-switch-carriers-buy-verizons-iph one-7

Cheers,

GB

I have switched between CDMA and GSM (Verizon and T-Mobile) I was able to get LTE with T-Mobile. Since the 5s is already unlocked all you do is pop in the new sim. I'd recommend getting a Verizon iphone if you intend to do that though. I hope I answered your question

Why do you suggest getting the iphone 5s from Verizon. Wouldn't you have to start with a contract with them for 24 months. This will be my first smart phone & I want the flexibility to change without 2 year contracts. Thanks

Buy direct from the Apple store. Get the CDMA version with GSM capability. I have such a phone. I then went to Verizon and got service from them, postpaid, no long term contract. Nice 4G service with Verizon. But if I leave Verizon I am relegated to a GSM service and that means no 4G on the other service. I am able to use my phone overseas by putting in a SIM for a local provider. Have done this several times. Keep the SIM and just update the account on my next trip and thus keep the same phone number while overseas.

I had once entertained the idea of going to another provider. Would save a few bucks. But with my travels and the need for data, having only 3G was not good plus Verizon has much better coverage in the areas where I travel.

In my case I might have been better off getting a subsidized phone from Verizon (their phones have unlocked GSM capability) on a two year contract. I have no plans to leave Verizon and won't for quite a long time. But I would not have saved any money, just the cost of the phone would have been spread over several years. Downside would be that over the term of the contract I would have paid a little more the phone than purchasing outright.

In my opinion saving $20.00 a month is just not worth the hassle and less coverage. In fact there is no 4G coverage from any other providers where I live. Verizon serves my needs, provides good service. I see no compelling reason to change.

I just bought an unlocked 5s from Apple, with a T_Mobile SIM pre-installed. After using T_Mobile for week or so, I got an AT&T SIM and plan, just to compare coverage areas, since the plans cost about the same. I ended up staying with AT&T and letting the T-Mobile plan expire. (I was able to switch between the two by switching SIMS).

I bought the GSM version of the 5s (for T-Mobile and AT&T) rather than the CDMA version (for Verizon or Sprint). I did this because after doing some research, it appears that you cannot switch between the two techologies in the US. If you travel overseas, however, the GSM version is the more universal technology...CDMA is used very little, if at all, outside the US. The CDMA version will, however, work overseas on GSM, but you can't use it for GSM in the US. If I remember correctly, you also have more GSM bands available with the GSM version than with the CDMA version, but you can verify this on the "Tech Specs" page of Apple's 5s website. (Another reason I chose GSM is that I have Verizon coverage for my home landline/TV/internet and don't like their high prices, contracts, and general attitude. T-Mobile's contract-free approach appealed to me more, so I'd rather be stuck with T-Mobile/AT&T than with Verizon/Sprint, in the US).

Thanks for your quick reply and thanks also to Richmond Dan. To further confirm how I should purchase the phone I called Apple and was told that when ordering I should specify "Unlocked" GSM compatible, SIM Free and then when I go to the carrier ask for a Nano-Sim Card. As a retiree I can get the cheapest monthly cost from Consumer Cellular which is AT&T GSM and if that didn't work out wanted to be able to go to Verison. Would appreciate knowing if this sounds correct.

If you want to use a CDMA carrier you MUST purchase a phone made specifically for that carrier. The CDMA radio is disabled in iPhones sold as unlocked.

All correct, except that if Consumer Cellular doesn't work out, you can't change and go to Verizon. Consumer Cellular, AT&T, T-Mobile are all GSM, but Verizon is CDMA. The GSM phone won't work on CDMA, so if Consumer Cellular doesn't work out, you'll need to choose another GSM carrier. (I believe there are many more GSM carriers in the US than there are CDMA carriers, but I'll leave that to someone else to verify.)

You are correct, the only unlocked 5s that Apple sells is GSM. The 1533 model comes in both GSM and CDMA configurations, but Apple will only sell the GSM version unlocked. The CDMA version is sold locked to a carrier.

With the iPhone 5S activated with Verizon, the GSM side of the iPhone is unlocked including with U.S. GSM carriers.

Can you get an iPhone 5s for Verizon without a 2-year locked contract? Who do you buy it from, Apple or Verizon?

Probably by paying the full retail non-contract price.

Unless you positively must use the iPhone with Verizon, you might as well purchase an unlocked iPhone from an Apple Store at the same price.

Even with Verizon's LTE network you can't access the internet while on a call as you can do with ATT's and T-Mobile's network.

Thanks for the info. It really ***** that providers like Verizon can legally make deals to do this to people! It's utterly outrageous!