Verizon iPhone 5 ... unlocked SIM?

[TBolt]

Hi all. Visitor here from the Android world.

Considering an iPhone for an older member of my family ... need to know if Verizon's iPhone 5 truly has an unlocked SIM out of the box. She will travel into GSM countries, and I want her to have little hassle as possible in using a local, pre-paid mobile service.

Also, my understanding is that the back of the iPhone can't be removed. So, does this mean the pre-paid mobile carrier will change something in the settings without having to drop in a SIM card?

Thank you for your help!

 

[epicness4G]

The sim is on the side, you take it out with a paper clip,
And for the hundredth time, yes. The Verizon iPhone 5 comes factory unlocked, any gsm sim will work on it. LTE only on Verizon.


Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk

 

[ghostface147]

As already posted, it is factory unlocked. You will need a nano-sim though. If they are going somewhere that doesn't carry the iPhone 5, it may be a little difficult getting a nano-sim.

 

[dictoresno]

As already posted, it is factory unlocked. You will need a nano-sim though. If they are going somewhere that doesn't carry the iPhone 5, it may be a little difficult getting a nano-sim.

in that case, you can buy a nano sim cutter online for cheap or cut it yourself.

 

[Petk]

The follow up question to this - I know LTE will not work on GSM networks, but will 3G work using SIM card from overseas GSM?

 

[Peligro911]

Gsm and CDMA have nothing to do with LTE .. Actually LTE will work on gsm carriers like att they are just on different bands

That's why a Verizon iPhone 5 pop a sim in you can get 3G and hspca just not LTE because the phone can not pick up that band


Sent from my iPhone 5 from a galaxy far far away (in the USA ) using Tapatalk !

 

[skcseth]

The follow up question to this - I know LTE will not work on GSM networks, but will 3G work using SIM card from overseas GSM?

Yes! I purchased my iPhone 5 from Verizon back in November before I moved here to Italy. All I had to do was take out the Verizon SIM, and pop in an Italian Vodaphone SIM, and I (near instantly) had 3G service.

 

[smithla11]

Any issues when returning an putting in the original sim? Verizon makes dire predicitions about ruining the phone/

 

[kch50428]

Any issues when returning an putting in the original sim? Verizon makes dire predicitions about ruining the phone/

SIMs were specifically designed to be swappable.