Now you can grab the new iPhone 5S at an Apple Store or on its online store, however, that’s not the end of the story. Probably you are choosing the wrong iPhone 5S.
I say that because this is the most complicated iPhone’s launch ever. If you choose the wrong iPhone 5S unit, you probably can’t use it on your network. Therefore, you will need to do some research before going to the store.
Apple is offering six iPhone 5S models at the moment. They have similar tech specs and you can’t distinguish them with your eyes. They all have the Retina display, fingerprint identity sensor, dual LED-flash and also include all three color options, which are Space Gray, Gold and Silver.
Real also: The Difference between Apple’s iPhone 5S A7 64-bit Processor and Other 32-bit Processors
The differences come from initial carrier distribution and network support because Apple designs them for different region and mobile operators.
Let’s check out those models:
- Model A1453: This model works on CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B system (with 800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz bands), it supports 13 LTE bands (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). This is the most universal model as it could work on major LTE networks in the U.S., however, it is sold locked on Sprint.
- Model A1533 (GSM): This is the GSM version of model A1533 which is being sold locked and unlocked for AT&T and T-Mobile. This is also the SIM-free international version of iPhone 5S, which doesn’t include a nano-SIM card. It supports 11 LTE bands LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
- Model A1533 (CDMA): This is the CDMA version of A1533. It works on CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and is being sold for Verizon’s customers. It supports 11 LTE Bands (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
- Model A1457: This is the model for European markets. It supports 7 LTE bands (Bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) which can work on EE, Vodafone and O2 in the U.K., it also supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
- Model A1530: The model is tailored for Asian markets. It supports the 3 TD-LTE bands 38, 39, 40 and 7 FDD-LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, therefore, it can work well on TD-LTE network of China Mobile, the largest mobile operator in the world. It also supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
- Model A1528: This is the unlocked model being sold in China. It is just like the simplified GSM version of A1530 as it doesn’t have LTE bands. It only supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
The model numbers could be confusing but you must be extremely cautious. Make sure to check the model number printed outside the box before buying. Enjoy your iPhone 5S.
sarah says
Hi, Tuan.
Thank you for your information, howeverr I have question. Which model should I get if I want to use in Indonesia? I couldn’t find any information for indonesian carrier so its a bit confusing. Will it be A1550 or gsm A1553?
Thanks!
Bao Anh Thai says
Hi Tuan Do,
I’ve bought an iPhone 5s in Vietnam. It has worked well for two months and one day lost carrier signal. I gave it to FPT shop in Hochiminh city to fix. They restored and the phone is dead, which means when restore, it stuck in updating firmware. FPT surrendered, so I do a research by myself. I found out that the model of my phone is A1533 – which means it is an iPhone made for China Telecom. I guess that the seller deceived me selling a jailbreak phone. My questions are:
1. can a jailbreak CDMA iPhone like model A1533 worked with mobifone carrier (I believe mobifone is GSM).
2. is there any way to recover my iPhone (unable to restore via iTunes)?
Many thanks in advance.
Lu says
Hi,
I’am in China with an european A1457, I bought an China Mobile sim, but 3g doesn’t work, just EDGE. I read somewhere that the China Unicom’s sim cards support A1457’s 3g, do you know if this information is correct?.
Thank you.
zaid wahid says
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks this will help..see your carrier which band they are using and then compare to this chart and buy your apple iphone.
robin says
hi i live in italy want to buy a iphone 5s which model is best a1530 or a1457
Adam says
I purchased an iPhone from amazon which turned out to be an Asian version and I live in the UK, my phone became faulty after 2 months so I decided to take it to apple store and acknowledged the fault however they did not replace the unit as it wasn’t european.
My question is can Apple do this?
Chris says
Just to note, I bought an iphone in Chile and turned out to be the european version. It will work in the US, but not on LTE.
On the other hand, you still can find the iphone 5, the one sold in this country is the US LTE version.
albert says
Hi tuan..
I have a a1530 bought in korea can i use this here in Philippine?
Ramon Tinio says
Yes. A1530s work in the Philippines
suraj lama says
hello sir i recently have brought iphone 5s its in locked mode and i asked at repairing shop he said if your iphone is icloud locked your phone is useless and my iphone model no is A1457 can help me..
dark says
yes you can
Deepak says
which model is better inv
Delhi India A1533 or A1530?
gurdas says
Hey i m frm india and i wanna know which model of iphone 5s will support 3g, 4g, LTE in india plz give me rply i m in a very big trouble
kevin says
Hi, I would just like to know if I purchase an iPhone 5s from Bahrain (Middle East) will it perfectly work here in the uk on vodafone? Hope you’ll reply my question. Thanks!
Tuan Do says
Hi Kevin,
What is the model number of the iPhone 5S you purchase in Bahrain?
Bassam Elsayed Saleh says
i’ve i phone Model A1457 5S came from Austeria As a gift and i found it is locked with i-cloud,my question is is this suitable to operate in Egypt ” VODAFONE, MOBINILE or ETISALAT” & if how i can unlock it,
it’s with following IMEI :358686054238518
Ashish Verma says
I am from India, I am planning to buy iphone 5s from online stores.
Which model will these online store provide to me and which is best suitable in India. (e.g. A1530, A1453, A1533 etc.)
Here I am using Airtel & Vodafone as carriers.
Are these online stores provide phones in locked mode or in unlocked state.
Kindly advise.
Sanjaya Mahesh says
hey Thuan
I wish to buy aiphone 5s from kuweait. But I’m Living in SriLanka
So which model is the can best use in Sri Lanka
Please Reply me soon
ehab says
Please ,Im from Iraq ,and the have 7 band LTE ,so Just A1530 AND A1457 works here? or have offer Virizon Unlocked A1530 Will work here In Iraq GSM ?
Regards
Hari says
I have I phone 5S Model A1530 bought from Kuwait and I will be visiting USA , please advise what Service Provider(s) can provide me a supporting network?
kunwar says
i have a 5s A1453 bought in japan with docomo but it’s not working in india , what should i do to work in india
dhaval patel says
i want to buy an iphone 5s model A1530 from online apple store ( U.K or any wherelse),
so my question is will this model work in india?
Will this phone is locked or unlocked?
Will this model is compatible with idea network provider?
What happend if this model is unlocked and not work on idea network gsm 3g or 4g?
Help me plz
and tell me rather i should buy it from apple store in india?
If i buy it from uk will my guarrent and warrenty avoid?
adarsh kumar says
i want to buy i phone 5s which model will work in india…and supports4g network
Mayur says
Hey! I have bought iphone 5s a1533 will it supports LTE in india
Thruxton Z says
If I purchase a Model A1533, When I unlock it. Will I have LTE in Japan with SoftBank?
jhonn says
Hola tuan; he comprado un iphone 5s modelo A1457 en francia europa
lo he traido a sudamerica y lo tengo que abrir de bandas no se si es gsm o global y cual me recomiendas para sudamerica en este caso seria Ecuador se te agradece tu atencion
Pd:el iphone no coje sim ecuatoriana
Nahas says
i have A1457 can I use India also please give me answer as soon as possible
Gagan says
my iPhone 5s is locked (sim not vaild) in india.. i purchase from kuwait,,,A1457- imei no is -352015068656257 please unlock iphone,,,it is locked to zain Kw network,,,
Jonny says
Hi do any of you guys know what model numbers would come with earlier versions of iOS, I am looking for ios7 to ios 8.1.2 Thanks,
Susana says
hello
I need help!!!!!!!!!
i have the 5s A1453, is from the US but i want to know if I can use it in Mexico (telcel,movistar, iusacell,unefon)
thanks
Rasnath says
A1533 or A1457 or A1530: iPhone 5s (GSM model) is the best one
enjoy :)
Zulqarnain says
Hiiii
M from Pakistan .which model is the best of iPhone 5s
Muhammad Meesha says
This has been the most useful information Thank You! I have just bought A-1533, will its LTE works in Pakistan? and how can i obtain its carrier info. looking for your swift response. Thanks again.
vijosh says
sir,
now i m from U A E and i m interested in iphone6. india is my country. which model can i use without any problem
apple says
Comment:ethanol
umesh says
dear sir , a1533 will it work in india for cdma network (reliance carrier )
Asad says
which one is best for using in Pakistan which needs a sim card
???
Jack says
can a1457 model use at Malaysia?
daka philemen says
Comment:who can I unlock ihpone model A1530
Didi says
Hello,
I am trying to find an iPhone 5s that will connect to MetroPCS. Which one would work with this company? Metro merged with T-mobile and accepts unlocked phones as far as I know.
Your help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Aubrey Romo says
Looking to buy a 5S, I live in Alaska and my carrier is “gci” owns and maintains a GSM and CDMA network. But often spend time in Hawaii, California, and Oregon. and interested in visiting to the UK… which 5S model is the right one for me??? any insight would be appreciated!-Thank you!!!
Elijah says
I have the model A1453. I bought it off a girl purchased it from an apple store and she had it activated on Sprint. Does this mean the phone is locked through Sprint and I have to use Sprint? Or does that mean it is an unlocked phone and I can use it through any major US carrier? Please help, thanks!
Anurag says
Just want to know only that iphone 5s grey model A1530 …. Can i use cdma connection in India …. Ex. Such connection of reliance cdma , tata indicom ( cdma ) … Please give information as soon as possible
Daniel says
If I have the A1453 will it work in the UK on Giffgaff?