I found an iPhone on Craigslist that I’m interested in buying. The seller says it was originally locked to AT&T, but was subsequently unlocked by them. I want a totally unlocked phone so I can use it with any provider, including resellers. Will this tpye of unlocking come with any limitations that I should be aware of?

Get the EXACT model. Not all iPhone models are capable of utilizing ALL of the bandwidths currently in use (ie some models do NOT have CDMA capability). Once you know the exact model, check google or Wikipedia to see what carriers that it will be compatible with.

The used iPhone8+ is model A1684. There are MANY other models.

One link: [www.techwalls.com]

Note: the model IS listed in microprint on the back of an iPhone.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2018 12:07PM by testcase.

Yea, AT&T models generally don't have CDMA bands, and thus would be limited to GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile. I haven't kept up with the LTE frequencies, and if that might carry over to traditionally CDMA carriers (i.e. Verizon and Sprint), but either way, you probably don't want a phone that ONLY works with LTE.

If you're still looking for an SE you probably want the global/sprint model A1723
[everymac.com]
but if you have a specific network in a rare place in the country there's a small possibility there might not be enough band overlap/capability with that model.
[www.phonearena.com]

I would get the global model if there was a small chance you might end up on Sprint's network.

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The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
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Yea, AT&T models generally don't have CDMA bands

I'll have to disagree with you on this. I bought my iPhone6s+ directly from ATT in November of 2015. Once my two-year contract was up, I had ATT unlock the phone and, had NO trouble switching it over to Verizon. I was told that the 6s+ (as well as a few other iPhone models) were "universal" and, when unlocked, could be used on ANY carrier. That's why I recommended that Ammo get the EXACT model and go from there.

There were two USA models of the 6S Plus : 1634 and 1637
A1634 also had band 30 which is a band AT&T bought to utilize in congested areas where bandwidth was heavily congested.
Oddly enough AT&T did not necessarily distribute the A1634 exclusively.
When the 6s and 6s+ first came out if you wanted to be ensured of getting a band 30 inclusive model you had to buy the "sim-free" model from Apple directly.

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
BOYCOTT YOPLAIT [www.noyoplait.com]
[soundcloud.com]

To add another twist, are certain models better for overseas use?

....what they said....and it can vary depending on the iPhone model......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

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Ammo
To add another twist, are certain models better for overseas use?

Yes there are

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Ammo
To add another twist, are certain models better for overseas use?

Very generally:
Usa GSM uses 850/1900 bands
EU GSM uses 900/1800

so to go back and forth to EU you used to need a tri-band or quad-band GSM phone. I'm fairly certain that since iphone 5 all iphones have been tri-band or quad-band capable.
Back when phones were built with limited capabilities addressing network needs/uses this was an issue. I don't believe it is any more. At least for recent Apple iphones.
Apple has a band and frequency capabilities page. [www.apple.com]

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
BOYCOTT YOPLAIT [www.noyoplait.com]
[soundcloud.com]

If you really want to include a twist. What about the order number?

I was told my Verizon iPhone 6 Plus was unlocked when I bought it. Is that true? How to check?

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Buck
I was told my Verizon iPhone 6 Plus was unlocked when I bought it. Is that true? How to check?

Probably the easiest way to check is to put another carrier's sim in the sim slot. If a popup box pops up wanting a sim unlock code you're locked.
If you can make a call you're sim-unlocked.
You may have to go thru some procedures to make data work though.

If you know someone who works at a phone store you might get them to check your phones' IMEI number to see its status.

Verizon was selling unlocked phones so it probably is.

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
BOYCOTT YOPLAIT [www.noyoplait.com]
[soundcloud.com]

Verizon was required to sell unlocked phones for several years as penance for some atrocity they foisted upon its hapless customers. I think the 6S was part of that.

I've always wondered why Apple doesn't just make all of them universal. They'd only have 1 SKU for each model with a particular color and storage. That would be a marginal savings in a variety of ways, from Apple employee training to boxes and everything in between. There's gotta be a reason...

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Michael
I've always wondered why Apple doesn't just make all of them universal. They'd only have 1 SKU for each model with a particular color and storage. That would be a marginal savings in a variety of ways, from Apple employee training to boxes and everything in between. There's gotta be a reason...

That's one of the reasons that I still don't have a cell, the confusing array of what works where seems unnecessarily complicated to me. If I buy a Chevy, I expect it to be able to drive it on any road in the country or the world (yeah, I know, LH or RH drive). There simply are no Ford or GM or Toyota only roads. "It just works", what a novel concept.

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Michael
I've always wondered why Apple doesn't just make all of them universal. They'd only have 1 SKU for each model with a particular color and storage. That would be a marginal savings in a variety of ways, from Apple employee training to boxes and everything in between. There's gotta be a reason...

Qualcomm

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
BOYCOTT YOPLAIT [www.noyoplait.com]
[soundcloud.com]

Quote
billb

Quote
Michael
There's gotta be a reason...

Qualcomm

Yep.

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D. Lawson

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billb

Quote
Michael
There's gotta be a reason...

Qualcomm

Yep.

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