Want to know whether your smartphone uses GSM or CDMA or want to know what the differences are between the two? Read through this article to find out.
GSM and Global (CDMA) are essentially different types of mobile technologies used by mobile devices across the world. Do note that in this article Global is referred to as CDMA as that is the same thing.
Global Vs GSM - The Major Differences
In terms of overall performance, you won’t find any noticeable differences between GSM vs CDMA. However, there are some limitations depending on which country you’re in.
Typically, CDMA devices are found commonly in the United States and Russia. Interestingly, CDMA was originally developed during World War II as a technology that could be used to communicate without axis forces being able to intercept or jam signals.
These days, CDMA has evolved into being widely used as a smartphone and mobile technology for everyday consumers in the USA and Russia.
CDMA devices do not use SIM cards and are instead tied directly to a specific network.
GSM, on the other hand, uses a SIM card to allow a user to send messages to and from other mobile owners. GSM is the network we see most commonly throughout the world.
These days, the United States has started to use GSM technology more commonly to give users more freedom over the network they use.
In the past, Verizon and Sprint would use CDMA in the USA, whilst AT&T and T-Mobile used GSM.
With the fast spread support of LTE, more smartphones in the USA are moving over to GSM from all four networks.
GSM is considered to be the better technology - you can switch out your SIM card to use other networks across the world, and you’re given more freedom over which network you use.
How To If Your iPhone Uses GSM VS CDMA
If you’d like to learn about what network type your iPhone uses, the easiest way to find out is to find your model number and compare it with data available online.
To begin with, you can find your iPhone model number by looking at the back of your device. The model number will be printed onto the bottom of the back plate.
If the text on the back of your iPhone is worn out, you can also visit the settings to find your iPhone model.
- Head to the Settings app, tap General, and then tap About
- Scroll down and search for the Model listing
- If you do not see the model number starting with "A", tap on it and it will toggle it
Once you know your iPhone model, you can compare it with the model numbers provided below to find out which network your iPhone uses.
iPhone X
GSM:
Model A1865
Model A1901
Model A1902
CDMA:
Model A1865
iPhone 8
GSM:
Model A1863
Model A1905
Model A1906
Model A1897
CDMA:
Model A1863
iPhone 8 Plus
GSM:
Model A1864
Model A1898
CDMA:
Model A1864
iPhone 7
GSM:
Model A1660
Model A1778
Model A1780
CDMA:
Model A1660
Model A1779
iPhone 7 Plus
GSM:
Model A1661
Model A1784
Model A1786
CDMA:
Model A1661
Model A1785
iPhone 6S
GSM:
Model A1633
Model A1688
Model A1700
Model A1691
CDMA:
Model A1688
iPhone 6S Plus
GSM:
Model A1634
Model A1687
Model A1699
Model A1690
CDMA:
Model A1687
iPhone 6
GSM:
A1549
A1589
CDMA:
A1549
A1586
iPhone 6 Plus
GSM:
A1522
A1593
CDMA:
A1522
A1524
iPhone SE
GSM:
Model A1662
Model A1723
Model A1724
CDMA:
Model A1723
iPhone 5S
GSM:
Model A1533
CDMA:
Model A1453
iPhone 5C
GSM:
Model A1532
CDMA:
Model A1456
iPhone 5
GSM:
Model A1429
Model A1428
CDMA:
Model A1429
Model A1428
iPhone 4S
GSM:
Model A1387
Model A1531
CDMA:
Model A1387
iPhone 4
GSM:
Model A1332
CDMA:
Model A1349
iPhone 3GS
GSM:
Model A1325
Model A1303
iPhone 3G
GSM:
Model A1324
Model A1241
iPhone 1
GSM:
Model A1203
Summary
Hopefully, the information in this article has proven to be useful in determining the difference between GSM vs Global. Leave us a comment below if you have any questions!
