If you’re shopping for a great deal on an unlocked iPhone XS Max — Swappa has you covered. In this post we’ll be covering the various unlocked models you may run into when shopping for an unlocked iPhone XS Max. This way you can be sure that whichever unlocked iPhone XS you’ve got your eye on is fully compatible with your carrier’s wireless network.
This post is part of our Unlocked iPhone Buyers Guide, which covers everything you need to know when buying an unlocked iPhone.
iPhone XS Max model A1921
In 2018, Apple introduced the unlocked iPhone XS Max model for USA: A1921. The A1921 is the only unlocked iPhone XS Max for the US and is the version Apple offers as their “SIM-free” model for AppleCare replacement devices. A1921 is fully compatible with all wireless carriers in the US — working on both GSM and CDMA networks — and is the preferred model for anyone living in the states.
If you want an unlocked iPhone XS Max that works with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, or any MVNO in the US, the A1921 is your best bet. With only a single unlocked US variant, this makes it dead simple to figure out which unlocked iPhone XS Max is compatible with your wireless carrier.
iPhone XS Max model A2101
There’s also the iPhone XS Max A2101 which is the “global model” for European and Asian markets (although it also shares some compatibility with US carriers), and the A2102 for Japanese carriers. The A2101 is compatible with GSM networks (AT&T and T-Mobile) and while it has better support for worldwide carriers, it doesn’t fully support Verizon’s 2G/3G CDMA network. This shouldn’t be an issue as most US carriers are already in the process of retiring CDMA in favor of 4G LTE, something the A2101 does support. Since Apple technically never sold this model in the US, you won’t find it for sale on Swappa. Again, the A2101 is GSM-only and does not support CDMA networks.
Both the A2101 and A1921 have dual SIM functionality (eSIM + nano SIM). To find out which unlocked iPhone XS Max model works best for your carrier, see the table below.
| iPhone XS Max (1921) | iPhone XS Max (A2101) |
|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T |
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Verizon | Cricket Wireless |
| Cricket Wireless | Metro PCS |
| MetroPCS | Mint Mobile |
| Mint Mobile | Straight Talk |
| Straight Talk | Simple Mobile |
| US Cellular | Walmart Family Mobile |
| Visible | International |
| Etc. | Etc. |
iPhone XS Max 1921 supports the following LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71
iPhone XS Max A2101 supports the following LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66
US Carrier LTE Network Bands
| Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 Band 4 Band 5 Band 13 Band 66 | Band 2 Band 4 Band 5 Band 12 Band 14 Band 17 Band 29 Band 30 Band 66 | Band 2 Band 4 Band 5 Band 12 Band 66 Band 71 | Band 25 Band 26 Band 41 |
Unlocked devices can generally be used on any compatible cellular network, rather than being restricted to one specific carrier. There are two types of unlocked phones: factory unlocked and carrier unlocked.
A factory unlocked phone means it was originally sold as unlocked, straight from the factory. A carrier unlocked, on the other hand, means it was originally intended for a specific carrier, but was later unlocked by that carrier allowing it be used on other networks.
On Swappa, our unlocked device category are exclusively for factory unlocked phones that are not, and were not previously tied to a single carrier. Start shopping the best deals on a factory unlocked iPhone XS Max by using the button below.
START AT
Snag the best deals on used iPhones wherever you go. Download the Swappa App today!
