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Unlocked = Confused - Because opposite is "Locked"

Cindy

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So I understand GSM (ATT / T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon / Sprint) networks. But sellers of iPhones are putting in descriptions: "will work on ATT and Cricket only" as one example...and they aren't listed as unlocked when I use your filter and choose "unlocked" as the network provider. This is confusing to me.

So - if I want an older iPhone, like a 7 or 8, for use on the Consumer Cellular network - I would want a GSM phone, because they use the ATT & T Mobile networks. Would it be safe to just search for the model: A1778 ( for the GSM version of the iPhone 7)? Because the opposite of searching for an "unlocked phone" would seem to be buying a "locked to a network" phone. But my common sense is telling me Swappa doesn't sell LOCKED to network phones - is that correct?

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Feb 05, 2022 at 6:26 p.m.

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Will Verduzco

Hey there Cindy!

That's a fantastic question! Determining cell phone compatibility isn't always straight forward.

As you mentioned, older iPhones (specifically iPhone X and below) were sold in the US with different radio hardware depending on the intended network. And as you mentioned, this means that some models were broadly hardware-compatible with all US networks, whereas others were only compatible with GSM networks -- commonly referred to as "GSM Only" models. Many of these "GSM Only" iPhones can connect to Verizon's 4G LTE network -- but they cannot connect to its legacy 3G fallback in areas with poor 4G coverage.

Fortunately, you mentioned that you are looking for a GSM phone, which means that any unlocked iPhone will work, and that you don't have to seek out the so-called "GSM Only" model.

In other words, if you are on a GSM carrier, you can buy any of the following models:

Unlocked iPhone 7 : A1660 (GSM+CDMA) and A1778 (GSM Only)
Unlocked iPhone 7 Plus : A1661 (GSM+CDMA) and A1784 (GSM Only)
Unlocked iPhone 8 : A1863 (GSM+CDMA) and A1905 (GSM Only)
Unlocked iPhone 8 Plus : A1864 (GSM+CDMA) and A1897 (GSM Only)
Unlocked iPhone X : A1865 (GSM+CDMA) and A1901 (GSM Only)

In contrast, people looking to buy an older used iPhone for use on a CDMA network will need to avoid the GSM-only models and purchase a GSM+CDMA model instead:

Unlocked iPhone 7 : A1660 (GSM+CDMA)
Unlocked iPhone 7 Plus : A1661 (GSM+CDMA)
Unlocked iPhone 8 : A1863 (GSM+CDMA)
Unlocked iPhone 8 Plus : A1864 (GSM+CDMA)
Unlocked iPhone X : A1865 (GSM+CDMA)

Want to dive even deeper? Please check out the Swappa Unlocked iPhone Carrier Compatibility Guide to learn everything you need to know about unlocked iPhones and compatible carriers!

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Feb 05, 2022 at 11:55 p.m.

Cindy

Hi Will - That is a good explanation of the networks and compatibility - what you didn't explicitly spell out is - Yes, Swappa phones that are not advertised as "unlocked" therefore ARE locked (to a carrier). I think Swappa should be more clear about that. So for example, a reseller states phone is ATT or Cricket compatible, or T-Mobile Metro PCS compatible, but doesn't say it is unlocked...then that means it is LOCKED to those carriers. I understand saying a phone is LOCKED has a negative connotation but it is honest information that should be shared.

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Feb 06, 2022 at 7:55 a.m.

Nathan A.

Cindy, also keep in mind that since Consumer Cellular runs on AT&T towers, even an iPhone that's still locked to AT&T will work fine on Consumer Cellular. Just something to remember, in case you find something in the "AT&T locked" section that you really like