I have an iPhone 5 that was originally on AT&T in the US. AT&T has SIM unlocked the phone. Obviously, it works as a GSM device, but I have not been able to confirm if it has capability as a CDMA device.
Can I use it on a CDMA provider in the US such as Verizon or Sprint? I'm not talking about voice over LTE. Thanks
No. You can not use it on any CDMA carrier.
While an iPhone 5 does have CDMA hardware inside, neither Verizon nor Sprint will activate it on their CDMA networks if it was not specifically sold for their networks.
Its not a technical issue with a phone its more a policy from CDMA carriers.
You can go an plead with them, but don't expect them to activate it.
Thanks for the info, but I have read elsewhere that the iPhone 5 is either GSM or CDMA, but not both, and that the 6 and 6S have both though.
According the web page linked below, Sprint will activate certain unlocked iPhones from other carriers. They list 6s, 6S Plus, 6, 6 Plus, 5S (verizon only) and 5C (verizon only).
http://www.sprint.com/landings/bring-your-own-phone/#!/
The fact that they specify Verizon only on only the 5S and 5C would seem to indicate that that some of the US 5C and 5S models are GSM only, or that only the Verizon models have both CDMA and GSM.
Either way, the iPhone5 isn't on the list for whatever reason, so I am probably out of luck no matter what the phone is capable of.
Since the 4s, all iPhones have had both CDMA and GSM hardware built in. This includes the iPhone 5.
Again, what they will, and will not activate is down to policy. not the hardware in the phone.
Yes they will activate an iPhone 6s and 6s Plus due to new Telecom regulations. anything else falls under Sprint and Verizon's Policy.
You need to talk to the carrier you wish to use and see if they will activate it or not. Its entirely up to them.
does AT&T iPhone 5 have both GSM and CDMA antennae?
