So I'm going to be getting an iPad in the USA on an upcoming trip because it will save several hundred dollars over the NZ price.
In the USA there is a version for Verizon and one for AT&T and they have slightly different chipsets. AFAIK, both versions will work here in NZ, but I'm wondering if one version is better (read as more 'futureproof') for NZ high-speed data.
Here are the competing specs:
Wi-Fi + 4G for AT&T model: 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz)1 ; UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi + 4G for Verizon model: 4G LTE (700 MHz)1 ; CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
It seems the key difference is the AT&T version has LTE 700, 2100MHz and no CDMA. The Verizon version has CDMA 800, 1900 MHz, but only 700Mhz LTE.
Does any of this of make a difference? Or is everything here in NZ (telecom vs. vodafone vs. 2degrees) on HSPA/HSPA+ so it's a moot point? What about 4G LTE coverage in the the future for NZ? Will it be 700Mhz, or 2100Mhz?
Any thoughts on this?