As per reports that have flooded online, the iPhone 5 Verizon being sold on contract is GSM unlocked and it supports SIM cards from other carriers right away.
As most are aware, the carrier in question has stocked up the CDMA version of the iPhone 5 just like Sprint. But as Mac Rumors reports based on the information provided by iDownloadBlog, the on-contract device from Verizon arrives unlocked and lets users operate the smartphone on a GSM network. This means that customers will be able to select between a host of carriers by inserting a nano-SIM or trimmed micro-SIM card.
On inserting a cut-down version of AT&T’s micro-SIM, the handset interestingly picked up the network provider’s signal and permitted web browsing over 4G. The report also states that the phone will not support the carrier’s LTE service due to hardware differences. This could be due to the phone being a single CDMA/GSM world-mode smartphone meant for 3G connectivity.
Those travelling abroad can opt for a nano-SIM from international network providers. As for Verizon customers who want to stick to purchasing the iPhone 5 from the carrier, but without a contract, the unlocked versions should be up for grabs soon. Buyers will be able to pick the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variants at an estimated price of $649, $749 and $849, respectively.
Going by the story, the iPhone 5 Verizon is GSM unlocked, even though it is available via the carrier on a contract-basis. Prior to this, there were also a number of speculations about this particular variant not being compatible with simultaneous voice and data.
