Buying a used iPhone Xr on Swappa means getting a great phone at a phenomenal price. Getting an unlocked model saves you even more money on your wireless bill because you are free to select from a wide range of carriers, many of which offer substantial discounts for the same coverage you’re already used to. However, making sure that your phone is compatible with your carrier’s specific network bands and frequencies can be a bit tricky at times. Keep reading for everything you need to know about all the different iPhone Xr models.
This post is part of our Unlocked iPhone Buyers Guide, which covers everything you need to know when buying an unlocked iPhone.
Four different iPhone Xr models
The unlocked iPhone Xr is available in four different models depending on region: A1984, A2105, A2106, and A2107. iPhone Xr Model A1984 is intended for the North American market, and it’s the most common variant in the US. A2105 is known as the Global Version and is compatible with the majority of carriers worldwide. A2106 and A2107 are specific to Asian markets and don’t offer full compatibility with North American carriers. For the purposes of this article, we’ll stick to the A1984 and A2105.
iPhone model A1984 carrier compatibility
iPhone Xr model A1984 was designed specifically for the frequency bands and protocols used by North American wireless carriers. The A1984 is the only model that was sold in the US and Canada through the Apple Store and wireless carriers, making it the most common version in North America. As a result, the A1984 is also the most common variant you’ll find on Swappa.
The A1984 fully supports North American LTE, GSM, and CDMA carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — as well as prepaid MVNO carriers that use the aforementioned networks as their backbone. Because the A1984 features complete GSM and CDMA support, it is able to connect to legacy 3G networks as well as 4G LTE. The A1984 also supports the majority of carriers worldwide, as long as you get one that’s unlocked. If you primarily intend on using your phone in the US or Canada, A1984 is the iPhone Xr for you.
iPhone model A2105 carrier compatibility
iPhone Xr model A2105, otherwise known as the Global Version, was primarily sold outside the US, Canada, Japan, China, and Hong Kong. As its name implies, this version is compatible with the vast majority of international carriers.
The A2105 is also compatible with many of the bands and protocols used by North American carriers, including 4G LTE and 2G/3G GSM. However, it does not support Verizon’s 3G CDMA network. This means that in areas of bad 4G LTE coverage, the A2105 can’t fall back on Verizon’s legacy 3G network. The A2105 also lacks support for FDD-LTE Band 71, which is still used by T-Mobile. Due to these limitations, we generally recommend purchasing the A1984 instead.
| iPhone Xr (A1984) | iPhone Xr (A2105) |
|---|---|
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iPhone XR (A1984) – United States and Canada
- FDD‑LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71)
- TD‑LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41)
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
*Found on the A1984, but not on the A2105 – FDD-LTE (Band 71), CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)
iPhone XR (A2105) – Global / International
- FDD‑LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66)
- TD‑LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
*Found on the A2105, but not on the A1984 – FDD-LTE (Band 28)
If you’re looking for an unlocked iPhone Xr for use with a US carrier, A1984 is the model for you. Although the A2105 is partially compatible with North American carriers, it doesn’t offer full support.
Whichever iPhone Xr model you choose, rest assured that you’ll always find the best deals on Swappa. Shop with confidence because our expert moderation team keeps the Swappa Marketplace free from scams and junk devices. Visit our Unlocked iPhone Compatibility Guide to learn more about unlocked iPhones, and then click the button below for the best deals on an unlocked iPhone Xr.
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