What kind of phone do I need? GSM or CDMA?

[EpicFruit]

I'm looking for an unlocked phone that I can take with me internationally, but can also work on my existing Sprint network. Does such a thing exist? I did some digging and it seems that GSM and CDMA are on opposite sides of an impenetrable barrier, I can either go with GSM which will work internationally, or CDMA which will work with Sprint, but not both. Is this correct?

[Guest]

Iphone 5s or 5c can do both

[dizmo]

Correct. They're two different technologies. I'm surprised CDMA still exists in the US.

 

 

Iphone 5s or 5c can do both

With different model devices.

[AMICLG]

The Nexus 5 is unlocked even if you get it from a carrier (the reason why Verison won't allow it on their network) and has all spectrums too or the G2 which is better suited for sprint as it's the only phone as of now that supports their tri-band network.

[connorpiper]

Yes, there is only a couple of phones that will do both, and they do dual-sim switching. But they are low quality.

You will have to use T-Mobile or AT&T for GSM.

[EpicFruit]

Thank you all for the replies! So an unlocked iPhone regardless of carrier, the Nexus 5, and the LG G2 so far. And what about the new LG G3? I was also looking at an unlocked Galaxy Note 3, but it only mentioned GSM. Is there some possibility that the iPhone 6 will support both GSM and CDMA?

[Trollzarz]

Thank you all for the replies! So an unlocked iPhone regardless of carrier, the Nexus 5, and the LG G2 so far. And what about the new LG G3? I was also looking at an unlocked Galaxy Note 3, but it only mentioned GSM. Is there some possibility that the iPhone 6 will support both GSM and CDMA?

What network are you on?

[Jade]

Nexus 5 doesn't work on the Verizon network as far as I'm aware. Just a heads up.

[OriginalPromise]

You first have to research which spectrums your device can use. If you do travel alot, I'll say GSM is the thing for you. You can look into dual-sim phones but like I mentioned before, spectrums decide carrier compatability. For example, ATT and T-Mobile devices use different spectrums. That's why there are different carrier versions of a device in the US. (VZW version S3, ATT version of a S3, etc). I really don't know what phone I can recommend since most Samsung devices now have region locks (but can be unlocked). I'll suggest the G3/S5/Note3/1+/Oppo/etc

[Guest]

Correct. They're two different technologies. I'm surprised CDMA still exists in the US.

With different model devices.

nope. I had a 5s on cricket's cdma network and when i traveled to india i used a sim card no problem.

[EpicFruit]

Thanks for the follow ups, guys! I'm on Sprint's CDMA network, and I intend on using the phone in China and the United Kingdom. I'm currently using an iPhone 5, and according to Sprint, my phone can be unlocked to use a foreign SIM card. But will I be limited to CDMA networks?