Now as the sixth-gen iPhone is available and you can check iPhone 5 pricing, let’s talk about the two versions of this device presented in the market starting from September 21^st. Unlike the iPhone 4S which supported both GSM and CDMA, the new product by Apple doesn’t roll them in its baseband. What does it practically mean to you? Users could use their iPhone 4S with various U.S. carriers. For example, you bought a Verizon device and later decided to unlock iPhone 5 and move to AT&T. The previous smartphone model allowed you taking such a step and saving money on international roaming fees. But it won’t work with the new iPhone 5 since it has two separate versions, CDMA and GSM.

Apple Sets New Rules

The Cupertino tech giant has changed the rules with the iPhone 5 release. The company simply developed two versions of this new product. If you wish to use your smartphone with GSM SIM-cards and CDMA, you will have to purchase two units since one unit supports only one carrier. Why did it happen? Experts say things have changed because of the 4G LTE support. If you read the specs page provided by Apple, you will learn that three iPhone 5 versions are planned to be released. There will be:

• A1428 GSM
• A1429 CDMA
• A1429 GSM

The first two models will support 4G LTE, DC-HSPA and HSPA. The first one will work on AT&T carrier and the second one will work with Sprint and Verizon mobile operators. They will support various bands (A1428 will support the bands 4 and 17; and A1429 will support the bands 1, 3, 5, 13 and 25). The third model will be presented in global markets.

Locked to One Carrier

Thus if you buy the Verizon iPhone 5 CDMA you will be locked to this operator. If you choose the AT&T GSM device you will be locked to it.