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Correction: This article has been corrected due to new information. Some of our sources were misinformed. See the updates below.
The latest and greatest Apple creation has been unleashed upon the world. After our heads have stopped spinning from the whirlwind of the moment, some of us may be faced with choosing a U.S. carrier for the new phone. Obviously, some may not need to make that choice. Many will stick with the carrier they already have, or are not in the States. Still, just in case you are in the position to need to make that choice, we thought it would be worthwhile to share a few details about the iPhone 5 on each carrier to help you make an informed decision. Here is a breakdown below that is NOT all inclusive.
Obviously, you will want to base your decision on the specific way you will use the iPhone 5 in your everyday life. We didn't include specific pricing for these carriers, as we wanted to mostly focus on the technical aspects. Feel free to visit their respective websites for pricing details. If any of our members have additional feedback to offer, feel free to add more in the thread.
AT&T iPhone 5:
- It has a GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17) - Based upon these bands, the AT&T version has less global compatibility than other models.
- AT&T Indicated they will not support FaceTime over cellular, and will block it, unless you pay them separately for the service.
- AT&T recently released a statement that they will allow users who already have an Unlimited Data plan to keep that plan with the new iPhone. Everyone else will need to choose one of their "Mobile Share plans" or limited individual plans.
- AT&T's version will support simultaneous voice and data.
- AT&T is NOT known for good customer service or support. In fact, they have ranked dead last for several years running now in several consumer satisfaction surveys.
Sprint iPhone 5:
- It has a CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25) - Based upon these bands, the Sprint version will have great global compatibility.
- Sprint has already stated that they will support FaceTime over cellular without any additional fees or pricing.
- Sprint currently is the only iPhone carrier to offer a truly Unlimited Data Plan, with no throttling and no data caps. They also have the least expensive plans.
- S̶p̶r̶i̶n̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶v̶e̶r̶s̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶s̶u̶p̶p̶o̶r̶t̶ ̶s̶i̶m̶u̶l̶t̶a̶n̶e̶o̶u̶s̶ ̶v̶o̶i̶c̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶d̶a̶t̶a̶.̶ (Although they have stated that their new HD Voice network feature is not supported by the iPhone 5.) [UPDATE: As it turns out, some of the info yesterday was erroneous - The Verizon and Sprint versions of the iPhone 5 are likely NOT going to support simultaneous voice and data. We apologize for the confusion.]
- One negative for Sprint is that they currently have the smallest LTE network, as they have only just begun to roll it out. Still, they are moving very quickly with their rollout, and will have over 100 new cities added by the end of the year.
- Sprint actually tied for first place in customer service and support over the last two years with Verizon in several surveys.
Verizon iPhone 5:
- It has a CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25) - Based upon these bands, the Verizon version will have great global compatibility.
- Verizon has already stated that they will support FaceTime over cellular without any additional fees or pricing.
- Verizon currently has the most expensive plans, and pretty much all of them involve their "Shared Data Plans" unless you area already grandfathered in. If you are, you will need to buy the iPhone 5 without a subsidy in order to keep an unlimited plan. That ranges from $649 to $849 depending on which version.
- V̶e̶r̶i̶z̶o̶n̶'̶s̶ ̶v̶e̶r̶s̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶s̶u̶p̶p̶o̶r̶t̶ ̶s̶i̶m̶u̶l̶t̶a̶n̶e̶o̶u̶s̶ ̶v̶o̶i̶c̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶d̶a̶t̶a̶.̶ [UPDATE: As it turns out, some of the info yesterday was erroneous - The Verizon and Sprint versions of the iPhone 5 are likely NOT going to support simultaneous voice and data. We apologize for the confusion.]
- Verizon currently has the largest and best developed nationwide LTE coverage area, bar none. This means there are far more places you will be able to use the high speed networking to access the internet.
- Verizon has tied for first place in customer service and support over the last two years with Sprint in several surveys.
This information was found at multiple sources across the internet, and most of them where press releases, or officially available info from Apple.
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