(Updated 09/30/2014: it has been confirmed that all iPhone6/6 Pluse purchased from Apple retail store (not from carrier stores) are UNLOCKED for international use. For ATT, Tmobile and Verizon version, they are UNLOCKED for US carriers as well. Sprint version still locks for other US carriers, but as I mentioned below, it is a true global phone so it work anywhere other than the locked US carriers.)
Apple started selling the latest iPhone model 6 (4.7 in) and 6 Plus (5.5 in) last week and lots of noise has been made on these two devices.
As all the previous iPhone device releases, there are lots of confusion on exactly what frequency band and communication standards a model supported. In this post, I am trying to summarize the models sold around the globe and issues before you plan to do an international travel.
Note: The models are noted as iPhone 6/6 Plus.
- T-Mobile: A1549/A1522 (GSM)
- When purchased with no-contract from Apple Store, it is unlocked and can be used around the globe.
- When purchased with 2-year contract (from T-Mobile or other vendor), need to unlock from T-Mobile.
- Supported Standards
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
- AT&T: A1549/A1522 (GSM)
- When purchased from Apple Store with full price, it can be unlocked from AT&T. You can unlock with any ATT account with good standing (5 phone limit). Or you could find some online service that can unlock for you.
- When purchased with 2-year contract, need to contact ATT to unlock it for you.
- Supported Standards
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
- Verizon: A1549/A1622 (CDMA)
- When purchased with no-contract from Apple Store, it is unlocked and can be used around the globe.
- When purchased with 2-year contract, need to contact Verizon to unlock it for you.
- Supported Standards
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
- Sprint: A1586/A1524
- You might be able to unlock for international sim card from Sprint, but it won’t work for US carriers.
- It is build as a truely global phone as the ones sold in Japan and Hongkong, the problem is how to get it unlocked.
- Supported Standards:
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
- TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
- Japan: A1586/A1524
- As far as I understand, it is truely global available. So you can pop in a sim card and enjoy the connection.
- Supported Standards:
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
- TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
- Hongkong: A1586/A1524
- Some reporte show it has locked the CDMA EV-DO function even though it is listed in the tech spec.
- Supported Standards:
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
- TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
- China Mobile: A1589/A1593 (not yet available)
- No CDMA EV-DO support.
- Supported Standards:
- TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
- UMTS (WCDMA)/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)；
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)；
You can review the technical spec from the Apple website: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP706
And also the LTE band list based on countries: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
Since I am from China, which is not in the list of countries for first release. Many of my friends have asked me about which version bought from abroad can supports their carrier (China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom). Here is a table for Chinese users specifically (curtsy to www.taobao.com).
Let us know if you have any question or comment.
Can you absolutely confirm that if I purchase a Sprint A1586 in the US that it can be used on China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom even if it is locked to Sprint in the US?
You will need to purchase from Apple Store will full retail price. If you do that, you are all set for all Chinese carriers.
So, if I understand right…if I buy the Sprint A1586 in the US and I use mainly outside of the US.
Let’s say in this case, The Netherlands.
I should be able to make full use of A1586 capabilities (like calling out or be called and use of 4G/LTE capabilities) without any hinder using it with a Dutch mobile phone carrier, like Vodafone Netherland, right???
I have read many article that this offered model with Sprint that it is locked and having it unlocked is almost not possible. I am getting confused here….. 🙁
You are right, under the condition “buying full price from an Apple store”. In this case, the phone is unlocked and you will be able to use in other countries (other than US carriers). However, if you buy from Sprint, it is very hard to get them unlocked and you won’t be able to use if not unlocked.
Does it help?
Hi,
Okay, so if it is bought at the Apple Store in US based on my above situation then I should be safe and would not have any problems of using it outside of US with carriers, who are also outsideof US, right?
I didn’t know that at Apple store US for above or any model of Iphone 6 are sold unlocked??????
The only problem here would be that I am not be able to make use of US carriers if I am in US for holiday and would like to make use of any US prepaid simcard or subscribe at other US carriers then Sprint, right?
This may be a stupid question, via which solid ways should I be able to find out that my model: A1586 (Sprint) purchased directly at an Apple Store in US is indeed an unlocked version??
And what would be different if I were to buy it from Sprint directly?
Oh, forgot to mention that I did pay full price for the iphone 6 as displayed on the Apple Store website.
I guess it is because of a law change last year (unlock by yourself is illegal now), so Apple sell unlocked phones now. But if you buy from Sprint, it is subject to Sprint’s ruling.
If you want to have prepaid sim card for holiday in US, you could find some options from Sprint which is not bad.
The easiest way is to just pop in a international sim card and see if it works. You can read more here: http://www.wikihow.com/Check-if-Your-iPhone-Is-Unlocked
Thank you so much. This is very, very helpful. I am still having a problem with the Apple Store allowing me to purchase this phone at full price without a plan. Any advice?
You would need to go to a local Apple Store to do that. Before you go, you can check the availability from Apple website or here for a full list.
http://www.seaturtle.org/idevice/iphone6_grid.shtml
I bough this iPhone not knowing its locked to Globe. I’m visiting Canada for a few months! What can I do? How do I unlock this A1524