HT201471: Identify your iPad model

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sraptorn

Q: will the Sprint model work on Verizon and vice versa?

4th Generation Ipad. 

Will the Sprint model work with Verizon and vice versa?  I understand they are both CDMA

I see different prices out on the web

iPad, ipad 4th generation

Posted on Jan 13, 2014 7:42 AM

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Q: will the Sprint model work on Verizon and vice versa?

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  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jan 13, 2014 8:02 AM in response to sraptorn
    Level 7 (24,457 points)
    Jan 13, 2014 8:02 AM in response to sraptorn

    No.  As far as CDMA goes, a given device will only ever work on the one single CDMA network it is sold pre-configured for.  There is no way to alter the CDMA configuration to allow it to connect to an alternate network as CDMA.

     

    The GSM side of those devices is unlocked though, and should work on any compatible GSM netowrk.

  • by sraptorn,

    sraptorn sraptorn Jan 13, 2014 8:08 AM in response to sraptorn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2014 8:08 AM in response to sraptorn

    so- just so I understand then.

     

    I could use a Sprint model only with Sprint, but with any GSM network such as AT&T

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jan 13, 2014 8:17 AM in response to sraptorn
    Level 7 (24,457 points)
    Jan 13, 2014 8:17 AM in response to sraptorn

    Yes, an iPad 4 model A1460 has both a CDMA radio and a GSM radio (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP662).  The CDMA radio will only ever connect to the one CDMA network the device was configured for at the time of sale.  However, the GSM radio will work for an GSM service provider, if they support iPad data plans and support the frequencies available on the A1460 iPad.

     

    A GSM device gets all of its network connection information from the SIM card itself, while a CDMA radio requires certain key information be burned into the firmware before it is sold for use.  That firmware information effectively cannot be altered or changed afterwards.

     

    The same thing applies to the new iPad Air, except the iPad air is only sold as a single model with CDMA and GSM capabilities (where as the iPad 4 was available as two models, one CDMA/GSM and one GSM-only).  With the iPad air, a Sprint or Verizon model will only ever work with the one, pre-configured CDMA network, but any GSM network.  An AT&T or T-Mobile iPad Air will never work with any CDMA carrier (as they have nothing in their firmware to support any CDMA network) but will work with any GSM carrier.

  • by sraptorn,Solvedanswer

    sraptorn sraptorn Jan 13, 2014 10:23 AM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2014 10:23 AM in response to Michael Black

    Thank you for the clarification, this answers my question.  Much appreciated.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jan 13, 2014 10:24 AM in response to sraptorn
    Level 7 (24,457 points)
    Jan 13, 2014 10:24 AM in response to sraptorn

    You are welcome - good luck with your purchase!

  • by ScottyBoyAZ,

    ScottyBoyAZ ScottyBoyAZ Mar 15, 2014 4:04 AM in response to sraptorn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 15, 2014 4:04 AM in response to sraptorn

    To clarify further, the CDMA network is where the LTE comes in, correct? 

     

    Because I have a Sprint iPad 4 (ME411LL/A) with a Verizon LTE SIM card in it and can get decent 3G, but no 4G LTE.

     

    As I posted elsewhere:

     

    I bought an "unlocked" Sprint Gen4 iPad 128GB (ME411LL/A) for cheap and was hoping to use it on Verizon (my family plan). So far it's a bust. The Verizon Store and Customer Support won't touch it!

    I found online that folks are taking active Verizon 4G LTE SIM cards and popping them into other LTE devices and having success.

    I just happen to have a Verizon JetPack 4G LTE hotspot. I pulled the mini-SIM, cut it down to micro (re-verified it still works in the hotspot) and popped it into the iPad. I can get Verizon 3G, but no better.

    Any thoughts?

    I also found that Verizon LTE is 700 MHz and Sprint LTE is 800 MHz. Is this a showstopper?

     

     

    If I cannot get LTE to work, I will sell it to a real Sprint customer.