Verizon or AT&T?

[iMore Question]

I'm about to get my first iPhone, which would also be my first smartphone. Until now I've had "dumb phones", mostly flip-phones. I currently have Verzion, but heard AT&T might be better for iPhone services (talk and Internet at the same time). I'm also planning a trip to Europe in October, so which would be better overseas? And which has a better coverage area in the USA?

 

[jphillips1963]

On att you are able to browse internet an talk at same time on Verizon you can't do this with iPhone. Here in US Verizon has most coverage as well I think att speeds are faster though.

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[anon6040766]

I'm about to get my first iPhone, which would also be my first smartphone. Until now I've had "dumb phones", mostly flip-phones. I currently have Verzion, but heard AT&T might be better for iPhone services (talk and Internet at the same time). I'm also planning a trip to Europe in October, so which would be better overseas? And which has a better coverage area in the USA?

You'd have to be more specific about where in the US you are located. Verizon has solid service all over, but is more expensive. AT&T is less expensive and has less overall coverage, but you may find that where you are located AT&T is great.

As for Europe, both companies will have calling and data plans you can purchase ahead of time for the days you are there. You'd have to call and ask them. It's always expensive. I'd limit calls and only use data while on WiFi.


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[EPJS]

I live in New York. And how easy would it be to pop in a 3rd-party sim when in Europe to avoid the expensive international charges?

(I forgot to log in before posting the question, I'm "iMore Question")

 

[Septembersrain]

I think T-Mobile has roaming included for certain countries. They don't have the best coverage but work exceptional in bigger cities. You'd need to check coverage in your work/play/home areas.

http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/international.html


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[Haalcyon]

AT&T has always been solid in my experience and they offer a great selection of handsets.


{iRiidium} Technophile. 2 of 4 

 

[EPJS]

It's easy to pop in a sim assuming it is unlocked. The Verizon sim slot is always unlocked due to legal reasons (they were forced to do so by the FCC as a condition of a spectrum auction). If you pay full price rather than subsidized, the att phone will also be unlocked. Then you can just pop in a new sim while in Europe. This will definitely give you 3G speeds. LTE may not work everywhere because the LTE bands may be different than the US.

Thanks. Since the Verizon iPhone has an unlocked sim, would it also work on AT&T and T-Mobile?

 

[jphillips1963]

Thanks. Since the Verizon iPhone has an unlocked sim, would it also work on AT&T and T-Mobile?

No they are totally different frequencies on there cellular bands

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[Septembersrain]

The iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c from Verizon should be factory unlocked. A lot of people say they are compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile.


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[EPJS]

The iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c from Verizon should be factory unlocked. A lot of people say they are compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile.


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Awesome, so overall the Verizon phone is the best one to get. Not only will it work with overseas sims in Europe, but if I decide to switch to AT&T or T-Mobile, it should work fine? That's good to know, I think I made my decision.

 

[Septembersrain]

Now keep in mind, you'll need to change the APN settings if you want it to work properly. Also, I have lots of confirmation about Verizon's iPhone working with T-Mobile. It seems a little more hazy about AT&T.

Here is a good article I found:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcweb...witch-carriers-with-your-new-iphone-5s-or-5c/


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[EPJS]

Now keep in mind, you'll need to change the APN settings if you want it to work properly. Also, I have lots of confirmation about Verizon's iPhone working with T-Mobile. It seems a little more hazy about AT&T.

Here is a good article I found:
How to Switch Carriers With Your New iPhone 5s Or 5c - Forbes


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Good to know, thanks for your help.