Apple iPhone 5

[samh004]

It will be very interesting in April-June 2013 when 4G 2300MHz starts to be used by Optus, as they have around 100MHz of spectrum to use here, their issue will be what handset/s will support 2300MHz....

Telstra is rumored to want to use 900MHz for 4G as well which would also be interesting!

I don't work in the mobile industry, but if the iPhone 5/4S/past models? support UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA at 900MHz and Telstra decides to then put 4G on that spectrum (right word?) - would 4G suddenly work on those devices, with some sort of firmware update, or does it require specialised hardware?


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[drewbles]

I don't work in the mobile industry, but if the iPhone 5/4S/past models? support UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA at 900MHz and Telstra decides to then put 4G on that spectrum (right word?) - would 4G suddenly work on those devices, with some sort of firmware update, or does it require specialised hardware?


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Telstra will roll out 700mHz in future from what i've heard (not 900). LTE isn't just about the frequency, it's also about the bands as well.

LTE is different from UMTS yes (although it's an evolution). If your handset doesn't have the right radio support, it's not going to work (even if it is a re-used frequency from 2G/3G days).

There should never be a deployment of UMTS/HSDPA 3G in the same frequency as LTE anyway.

Keeping in mind, there are 3 different iPhone 5 versions for LTE. One, for AU/AP, Second for Europe and Third for the Americas. Whilst the 2G/3G GSM/UMTS systems will work globally, there won't be LTE worldwide just yet. There's talk of a common roaming frequency in LTE Band 3, 1800mHz, but that's a way off (and rumour has it it's available on the iPhone 5, but has not been 'switched on' as they have not gotten regulatory approval, nor is it used widely yet).

This is the issue with emerging technologies. Competing standards, and having to cope with different spectrum licences globally for carriers.

LTE is going to make it a nightmare for our Customer Service staff trying to help customers with coverage and handset compatibility. I'm glad I passed the CS arena so many years ago

 

[drewbles]

And just to add to 'scuffgate', it would appear as though the text on the back of the phones is not square (this is not my phone but my black iPhone is the same):


The iPhone text seems square, but the text under is not. I confirmed this on my Black iPhone that it is indeed not 'square'.

 

[Mal]

The iPhone text seems square, but the text under is not. I confirmed this on my Black iPhone that it is indeed not 'square'.

You're just holding the phone the wrong way ...

 

[samh004]

Wow, that's terrible quality control. Tim Cook really doesn't know what he's doing…

 

[drewbles]

Wow, that's terrible quality control. Tim Cook really doesn't know what he's doing…

Cause of course he was in every factory signing off on each individual of the 5,000,000 odd handsets

 

[medhead]

Cause of course he was in every factory signing off on each individual of the 5,000,000 odd handsets

Um, that's what quality control does/should do for him.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Mal]

Cause of course he was in every factory signing off on each individual of the 5,000,000 odd handsets

Yep, and the late Steve supervised construction as well.

Apple are just losing the plot like most companies do. QC isn't there, they are arrogant and basically assume people will buy their product. Looking at various sources, Foxconn seems to also have huge issues - but I wouldn't suspect less based on the conditions at their manufacturing plants (Knowing that they employ over 1 million employees just blew me away)

 

[blackcat20]

I've bounced my 3GS several times, when drunk or just half asleep and not had an issue, yet the first time I handled my mums 4 I managed to crack the whole front screen, so am particularly wary

I've dropped my 4S quite a few times over the last 12 months (though usually on to carpet). No cover, and its got no chips, cracks or dents. I sit on it frequently too (back pocket).

From what I'm hearing/seeing of the 5 I think I'll stick with what I've got.

 

[drewbles]

Yep, and the late Steve supervised construction as well.

Apple are just losing the plot like most companies do. QC isn't there, they are arrogant and basically assume people will buy their product. Looking at various sources, Foxconn seems to also have huge issues - but I wouldn't suspect less based on the conditions at their manufacturing plants (Knowing that they employ over 1 million employees just blew me away)

And of course, the employees are rioting now:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/business/global/foxconn-riot-underscores-labor-rift-in-china.html

 

[samh004]

Cause of course he was in every factory signing off on each individual of the 5,000,000 odd handsets

I wouldn't go that far, but surely this should have been picked up on… then again, haven't seen it mentioned on any news sites so perhaps it's a small batch that had an issue.

 

[simongr]

One word - scuffgate

https://www.google.com/search?q=scuffgate

 

[drewbles]

And in some good news...

We ordered a Nano SIM Cutter (like this: http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/645166435/New_Arrival_Cutter_for_Nano_SIM_of.jpg) here to do some testing on our SIM's whilst we wait for our proper Nano SIM's to be delivered.

The official spec for Nano SIM's see them being 0.06mm thinner than a Micro SIM. That may not sound like much, but the tolerance on the SIM tray of the iPhone 5 is tiny. I was sceptical as to if they would fit.

Our cutter arrived today, and my iPhone 5 was unlocked on Friday. A quick snip of one of our existing SIM's, inserting into the SIM tray and a careful push saw it go into the iPhone 5 very easily. iPhone saw said SIM, asked for PIN, and 'just worked' (in fact, worked better than old phones as iOS 6 seems to play much better with our SIM cards than old versions).

So, I am now good to go when in the USA (AT&T SIM has already been cut; from Mini to Micro to Nano ).

As a reference, here's what the 'evolution' looks like (and believe it or not, the last one does actually fit and work):

 

[whatmeworry]

Apple's Wozniak wants to become Australian

 

[whatmeworry]

Apple Maps | iOS 6 | Google Maps | Apple's Worst Software Yet?

 

[DC3]

.... So, I am now good to go when in the USA (AT&T SIM has already been cut; from Mini to Micro to Nano .....).

So am I right in assuming that if I buy an iphone 5 in Australia, then I can use it in the USA (next year) and that it will be compatable with T-Mobile (or AT&T) networks and that there will be no frequency problems.

Just a matter of getting a sim card from T-Mobile, say, on arrival in the USA for local calls and data. And that if 4G is not available in an area, then the connection will default to available 3G/2G networks with the relevant carrier.

 

[drewbles]

So am I right in assuming that if I buy an iphone 5 in Australia, then I can use it in the USA (next year) and that it will be compatable with T-Mobile (or AT&T) networks and that there will be no frequency problems.

Just a matter of getting a sim card from T-Mobile, say, on arrival in the USA for local calls and data. And that if 4G is not available in an area, then the connection will default to available 3G/2G networks with the relevant carrier.

They will work in the USA, but not on their LTE networks (the AU iPhone 5 is not compatible with the USA networks at present, and vice versa).

T-Mobile are still using 1700mHz for their 3G network, but they are rolling out other frequencies as well to cater for iPhone 5 users (as they still don't officially sell the iPhone). They're planning an LTE on 1900mHz but haven't released much info yet (and it almost certainly won't be working by early next year).

You'll nee a Nano SIM. I'm not sure what carriers are doing there, as lot refuse to let you use a smartphone on a pre-paid service (I know AT&T doesn't) but you can easily cut micro or mini SIM's down to nano too (done it here the other day, works just fine).

So if you go with T-Mobile, you'll be stuck at 2G speeds (which you don't want to be trust me it's awful).

 

[DC3]

So if you go with T-Mobile, you'll be stuck at 2G speeds (which you don't want to be trust me it's awful).

OK. Thanks. I've taken the older 2G (quad/tri-band) phones to the US previously, but wasn't sure about current iphone compatability.

 

[Simo]

The Nano SIM is actually thiner.

If you use a SIM card that has been cut down it could void the warranty on the handset.

 

[drewbles]

The Nano SIM is actually thiner.

If you use a SIM card that has been cut down it could void the warranty on the handset.

erm only if it got stuck

it's 0.06mm thinner than a regular Micro/Mini SIM. It fits very comfortably into the iPhone 5 SIM tray:

The official (blurry, sorry it wouldn't focus well) Telstra Nano SIM:


And a cut-down Micro SIM (0.06mm thicker):


I was sure it wasn't going to work, but it's all A-OK. If you have any issues with your phone that require it to be serviced, remove the SIM first (and of course, your home carrier should have Nano SIM's anyway; we have ordered some but they take time to arrive as it's like aircraft; you have to wait for a slot in the production schedule to become available before you can get your run done).

(unfortunately I don't have a pic of the SIM being inserted into the phone as I took the photos with the phone).

I've put over 20 cut-down Nano SIM's into this phone so far, not one has stuck. It's been all smooth sailing