Buying a factory unlocked iPhone 5

Confidence · ‎10-21-2012

So I'm buying a factory unlocked iPhone and I found this thread.

http://forums.att.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/apple/message-id/199103/print-single-me...

Will I have to worry about this? The phone I'm getting will be brand new but It wont be purchased directly from Apple.

sandblaster · ‎08-15-2006

Only Apple sells unlocked iphones and I'm not sure even they are selling unlocked iPhone 5's yet. In any event, if you are not getting it from Apple, it s most likely not unlocked.

I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.

cousintim · ‎05-24-2005

Not buying an unlocked iPhone from Apple or an authorized retailer? What could possibly go wrong?

youngjm · ‎05-02-2003

sandblaster wrote:

Only Apple sells unlocked iphones and I'm not sure even they are selling unlocked iPhone 5's yet. In any event, if you are not getting it from Apple, it s most likely not unlocked.

I did not think they were selling factory unlocked iPhones yet so I just tried the Apple online store and only got options to purchase iPhones from the three networks and they say "Your iPhone will work only with the carrier you choose."

I think that until they catch up with all the outstanding orders they will begin selling an unlocked iphone. However, the verizon version if purhcased at the non-committment price does have an unlocked SIM slot due to the FCC agreement Verizon made for their spectrum. Also, make sure you understand the differences in the iPhone models. Apple sells two different GSM models and it matters for which LTE networks each model supports. http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Model Number²

LTE Band Support³

Country

Supported LTE Networks

Model A1428
(GSM model)

4 (AWS)

17 (700b MHz)

United StatesAT&T

Canada

Bell (including Virgin)
Rogers (including Fido)
Telus (including Koodo)

Model A1429
(CDMA model)

1 (2100 MHz)

3 (1800 MHz)

5 (850 MHz)

13 (700c MHz)

25 (1900 MHz)

United States

Sprint
Verizon

JapanKDDI

Model A1429
(GSM model)

1 (2100 MHz)

3 (1800 MHz)

5 (850 MHz)

GermanyDeutsche Telekom

United KingdomEE (soon to launch)

Australia

Optus (including Virgin)
Telstra

JapanSoftbank

Korea

SK Telecom
KT

Hong KongSmarTone

Singapore

M1
SingTel

Data roaming depends on supported bands and carrier policies. LTE roaming may not be available. Contact your carrier for more details.
To identify your iPhone 5 model number, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3939. Unlocked iPhone 5 models may support LTE networks outside the country of purchase when using a valid SIM from a supported carrier. Contact your carrier for more details.
LTE band support is based on the iPhone 5 model number and configuration for either CDMA or GSM networks. Band support does not guarantee support on all LTE networks running on the same bands.

Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. Click here to see complete list.

_____________________

For service or support questions including existing order status, call:
Customer Support: 1-800-331-0500

Information on iPhone unlocking can be found here by copying this link into your browser:
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/Apple-Community-Discussion/iPhone-Unlock-Information/m-p/3260825#U3260825

cousintim · ‎05-24-2005

Look for the AT&T iPhone 5S to add LTE Band 7.

Kerry78 · ‎11-03-2011

On the apple UK website it says 3-4 weeks del so maybe u can purchase
Unlocked ones thru apple UK

EE spectrum is 1800mhz for LTE and 4g starts end of October !

dwill05 · ‎04-06-2005

cousintim wrote:

Look for the AT&T iPhone 5S to add LTE Band 7.

Why would an AT&T iPhone support band 7? Does AT&T use that band?

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

dwill05 wrote:

cousintim wrote:

Look for the AT&T iPhone 5S to add LTE Band 7.

Why would an AT&T iPhone support band 7? Does AT&T use that band?

No, they only support 4 and 17. Band 7 being added is speculation as all information about Apple products are that is not documented by Apple

dwill05 · ‎04-06-2005

You specifically said "Look for the AT&T iPhone 5S to add LTE Band 7." Aside from the fact that no one knows when the next iPhone will be released, whether it will be called 5S, or what the differences will be from the 5, my question was does AT&T use Band 7 in their spectrum? If not, why would Apple make an AT&T iPhone that supports a band that AT&T doesn't use? The question wasn't whether Apple will ever make a iPhone that supports Band 7, but whether it would be a version sold by AT&T.

cousintim · ‎05-24-2005

dwill05 wrote:
my question was does AT&T use Band 7 in their spectrum? If not, why would Apple make an AT&T iPhone that supports a band that AT&T doesn't use? The question wasn't whether Apple will ever make a iPhone that supports Band 7, but whether it would be a version sold by AT&T.

Band 7 is not owned by AT&T currently and it's not used for LTE in the US. Band 7 LTE is being rolled out in Europe. Band 7 offers the potential of a single band available in much of the western world. As such, it offers some very appealing possibilities.

Buying a factory unlocked iPhone 5

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Re: Buying a factory unlocked iPhone 5