Will an imported iPhone 6 or 5s work on 4G?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Will an imported iPhone 6 or 5s work on 4G?

taegukki

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#150385 20-Jul-2014 23:14

Hey guys, a redditor suggested I ask geekzone this question, as you may be more aware of any possible answers!

I'm planning on buying an unlocked iPhone 6 in the States at the end of the year, but I'm not sure that it will be compatible with the New Zealand Telecom network?
I'm pretty sure normal service and 3G won't be an issue, but I'm hoping that someone may be able to tell me whether the 5S would work. I'm assuming the 6 would be the same?
If I buy it here in NZ, it will cost me at least $400 more.

Here is a list of supported LTE bands: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

I'm actually on Skinny at the moment but it works on the Telecom network as far as I'm aware. I wonder if an imported iPhone would work on any nz provider?

Thank you heaps for your help!!

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#1092755 20-Jul-2014 23:16

Whatever is coming on iPhone 6 it may be the same or completely different from the current series. Hard to say at the moment...

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taegukki

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1092759 20-Jul-2014 23:28

Is the current generation supported?

Jase2985

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#1092769 21-Jul-2014 05:23

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=150270

depends on the model, match it up to the NZ provider and away you go

taegukki

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1092778 21-Jul-2014 06:53

Thank you!

sbiddle

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#1092785 21-Jul-2014 07:24

As the 6 isn't released it's not possible to know.

The US 5 and 5s support different bands to the model sold in NZ. I wouldn't buy one from the US.

LittleGiant

24 posts

Geek

#1092806 21-Jul-2014 08:49

Here's a tip for you... when you buy the iphone from oversea, first make sure it's unlock from the country you bought from.

And look for frequencies band support...I know Telecom (and Skinny for 3g) support UMTS 2100 and 850 MHz for 3G and Band 3 (1800MHz) Band 7 (2600 MHz) and Band 28 (700MHz) for 4G...

taegukki

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1092822 21-Jul-2014 09:40

If you go here, you can get an unlocked iPhone: http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone5s

Its most likely what I will go for. I have had a lot of mixed messages from people as to whether they will work though. Perhaps its a better idea to get the phone here and pick up an iPad in the States instead :)

andrewNZ

2487 posts

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#1092834 21-Jul-2014 09:55

Do you understand that you lose basically ALL of your consumer rights if you buy overseas?

You will be relying solely on the good will of Apple if something goes wrong. They're pretty good about some things, but not all. It often takes them months or even years to acknowledge and start fixing issues.

Is it worth the gamble? You'll save a few hundred, if it goes pear shaped you may be out the total cost.

profrink

257 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1092883 21-Jul-2014 11:03

andrewNZ: Do you understand that you lose basically ALL of your consumer rights if you buy overseas?

You will be relying solely on the good will of Apple if something goes wrong. They're pretty good about some things, but not all. It often takes them months or even years to acknowledge and start fixing issues.

Is it worth the gamble? You'll save a few hundred, if it goes pear shaped you may be out the total cost.

The iPhone also doesn't have a global warranty apparently, unlike the iPad's and Mac's. I know of two people who were refused servicing by Apple NZ because their iPhones were overseas models.

taegukki

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1092906 21-Jul-2014 11:31

Actually AppleCare IS a global warranty. Costs $100 but is well worth it.

hyperman

418 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1092950 21-Jul-2014 12:23

profrink:
andrewNZ: Do you understand that you lose basically ALL of your consumer rights if you buy overseas?

You will be relying solely on the good will of Apple if something goes wrong. They're pretty good about some things, but not all. It often takes them months or even years to acknowledge and start fixing issues.

Is it worth the gamble? You'll save a few hundred, if it goes pear shaped you may be out the total cost.

The iPhone also doesn't have a global warranty apparently, unlike the iPad's and Mac's. I know of two people who were refused servicing by Apple NZ because their iPhones were overseas models.

Sorry to tell you this but unless you cough up for Apple care none of their products carry a international warranty.
To further this Applecare is unable to currently comply to the Fair Trading act 2014 thus should not even be sold here in NZ.
Fear not as far as I am aware All iPhones sold here in NZ through the proper channels Have a 2 year NZ warranty anyway!

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