Buying iPhone XS in the US

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Buying iPhone XS in the US - LTE Bands

JoshWright

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#243308 5-Dec-2018 15:18

I'm in the US on holiday currently and am quite tempted to replace my cracked iPhone X with a new 256GB XS Max.

The XS Max retails for 2400NZD locally, but 1249USD here works out to be about 1800NZD, which assuming I don't pay GST on arrival is quite the saving.

My only concern is that the US model (A1921) doesn't appear to support LTE Band 28 (700MHz). I'm on Vodafone, who I see do use this band. How widespread is the use of this band? I'm a little concerned my 4G performance will suffer if I use this phone in NZ, but if it's not a widely used band then I may be willing to make the compromise given the savings.

What are everyone's thoughts on using US market iPhones in NZ?

SpartanVXL

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#2139938 5-Dec-2018 15:31

It's used outside of city areas often. 2Degress also use it. If you're on Spark/vodafone you should be alright, but you'll might find you'll get bumped down to 3g in some areas often.

wellygary

8312 posts

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#2139951 5-Dec-2018 15:43

Take a look at this

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/network/coverage/

push 4G, then push 4G extend (band 28)

In a similar vein, toggle between 4G and 4G 700

https://www.spark.co.nz/4g/

In short, I wouldn't buy a modern phone for use in NZ without band 28

JoshWright

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#2139958 5-Dec-2018 15:56

I see it's probably not ideal for rural coverage, but if I spend 99% of my time in the Urban Wellington would I fare okay?

wellygary

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#2139963 5-Dec-2018 16:07

JoshWright:

I see it's probably not ideal for rural coverage, but if I spend 99% of my time in the Urban Wellington would I fare okay?

You will have an inferior service compared to everyone around you, even downtown

have a look here

https://gis.geek.nz

Zoom into Wellington , go to filters and select 700... there are plenty of Urban cells using 700mhz,,,

Just don't do it...

michaelmurfy

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#2139996 5-Dec-2018 16:32

Colleague at work did this and doesn't get 4G in the office (and I do on my iPhone). Just don't do it, best to get an iPhone with all the band support.

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JoshWright

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#2139998 5-Dec-2018 16:34

Ahh, what a bummer, thanks for the advice everyone. This is such a pity, it seems the prior US iPhones had this band, and it was removed for the XS.

I see JR Duty Free have the model I want at 2085NZD for pickup in NZ, so I may go that route, or might instead just take the chance to upgrade my Apple Watch to a Series 4 instead.

SaltyNZ

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#2140016 5-Dec-2018 17:28

JoshWright:

This is such a pity, it seems the prior US iPhones had this band, and it was removed for the XS.

Well, how else could they justify the price increase?

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

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alasta

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#2140044 5-Dec-2018 19:13

To me it seems crazy to spend that much money on a device and not have it 100% functional.

sbiddle

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#2140047 5-Dec-2018 19:15

JoshWright:

I see it's probably not ideal for rural coverage, but if I spend 99% of my time in the Urban Wellington would I fare okay?

Yes and no. Spark already use 700MHz extensively in urban areas, Vodafone are a little behind in this area and still rolling out 700 in urban areas. Yes you'll get 4G based off 1800,2100 and 2600MHz sites, but won't benefit from 700 in urban when it is deployed.

sbiddle

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#2140048 5-Dec-2018 19:17

JoshWright:

Ahh, what a bummer, thanks for the advice everyone. This is such a pity, it seems the prior US iPhones had this band, and it was removed for the XS.

I see JR Duty Free have the model I want at 2085NZD for pickup in NZ, so I may go that route, or might instead just take the chance to upgrade my Apple Watch to a Series 4 instead.

Just remember if you buy it duty free in NZ (whether on departure or arrival) you are legally required to declare it and pay GST since it's over your $700 threshold.

danza

112 posts

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#2147112 18-Dec-2018 14:05

The latest iphone xs is also kinda bad with the terrible intel modem instead of the qualcomm modem in the X.

Ironically the X they had last year had basically had ALL of the bands including 28 even if you bought the US version. And it has the better modem too.

Too bad they had to discontinue that to get people to buy the excess :v

graham007

221 posts

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#2147194 18-Dec-2018 15:34

JoshWright:

Ahh, what a bummer, thanks for the advice everyone. This is such a pity, it seems the prior US iPhones had this band, and it was removed for the XS.

I see JR Duty Free have the model I want at 2085NZD for pickup in NZ, so I may go that route, or might instead just take the chance to upgrade my Apple Watch to a Series 4 instead.

You can buy in Aus and save on gst.

Elpie

1304 posts

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#2148635 21-Dec-2018 01:12

The XS in the US is tied to the carrier too. In theory none of the US carriers are allowed to lock you in, once the phone & plan terms have been met. In practice, they still do. Even buying direct from Apple, the phone gets tied to the first US carrier you activate the phone with.

I had to buy a new phone because I wanted to get on a Verizon plan. CDMA still lives! My iPhone 7 Plus, which works everywhere else, won't work on a CDMA network so I bit the bullet and bought outright an XS. I paid in full then essentially brought my own phone onto the Verizon network. Where it was promptly locked to Verizon. It can be used on a network outside the USA but can't be used with any other US carrier.

Piece of rubbish. Oh! Anyone want to buy a month old XS? LOL

hio77

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#2148688 21-Dec-2018 09:43

sbiddle:

JoshWright:

I see it's probably not ideal for rural coverage, but if I spend 99% of my time in the Urban Wellington would I fare okay?

Yes and no. Spark already use 700MHz extensively in urban areas, Vodafone are a little behind in this area and still rolling out 700 in urban areas. Yes you'll get 4G based off 1800,2100 and 2600MHz sites, but won't benefit from 700 in urban when it is deployed.

That building penetration is so handy.

There is quite a limited subset of spark towers that arent 1800+700, It's kinda the default rollout.

Many of the very first sites that were deployed as 1800 only have been getting 700 added.

Vodafones use of L700 is quite shockingly lacking.

2D are quite crafty with their L700 and often L900 too.

Also you forgot L2300 ;)

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