With the introduction of Apple's iPhone 6 and 6+ I am confronted with the question - what size iPhone is right for me? Better said - what size phone meets my requirements?
I use my iPhone 5s a lot. I mean a whole lot. I rarely get through a say with more then 20% remaining (and yes I turn down brightness, kill apps in the background, etc.) Its used mainly for business (voice, email, applications), but the heavy usage seeps into my personal life. Combined with my aging eyes and desire for more real estate I have been waiting for a larger screen. The pendents I listen to rave about the 4.7" form factor.
Something strange happened ... I've been evaluating my usage attempting to convince myself the 5.5" is the right choice and i observed ~60% of my usage is one handed. Combine that with a quick visit to the Apple store to hold the 6 and 6+ and I was stunned ... I want 4" screen!
While I'll succumb to a new iPhone I realize I will be compromising! I no longer craving a larger iPhone I now crave a smaller iPhone. That means I see no way I can choose a 6+ because its ginormous and 100% a two hand unit (even with the double tap trick).
Next up which cellular technology model? My work dictates that I use AT&T. I don't have a problem with AT&T, but the coverage in the USA is less then Verizon. My family all have Verizon and there are many times they have more bars then me. Unscientific yet practical assessment. Of course Verizon's CDMA doesn't allow for simultaneous voice and data which is a must for me.
Combine that with my international travel and a GSM telephone is a necessity. Of course a guy wants to have options and Apple delivers. My research shows all models of the iPhone 6 have GSM built in - even the Verizon model. The reverse is not true - the AT&T model does not have CDMA. This makes is easy - choose an unlocked Verizon model and simply use an AT&T SIM.
Turns out Apple has three models of iPhone 6 (information source TechWalls):
1. A1549 (GSM): This model is compatible with 4G LTE networks on some major carriers in the US and Canada like AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers (Fido). It supports following LTE bands: 1 (2100 MHz), 2 (1900 MHz), 3 (1800 MHz), 4 (AWS), 5 (850 MHz), 7 (2600 MHz), 8 (900 MHz), 13 (700c MHz), 17 (700b MHz), 18 (800 MHz), 19 (800 MHz), 20 (800 DD), 25 (1900 MHz), 26 (800 MHz), 28 (700 APT MHz) and 29 (700 de MHz). Besides, the GSM version also works on UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
2. A1549 (CDMA): This is considered as the world phone version. It supports all the same spectrum frequencies as the A1549 (GSM) and also includes CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (with 800, 1700/2100, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands). Besides, it works on UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and 4G LTE bands include bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29. The model is compatible with Verizon and Cricket in the US. However, if you buy an unlocked Verizon phone, you will be able to use it on any other GSM networks like T-Mobile and AT&T as well.
3. A1586: This version is sold locked on some CDMA carriers in the US like C Spire, Sprint and US Cellular. This is the fully compatible version but you won’t be able to unlock it. The model works on CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A). Compatible 4G LTE bands are FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29) and TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41). Along with the iPhone 6 Plus A1524, this model supports both TD-SCDMA bands of China Mobile and band 39 for TD-LTE. The bands 38 and 40 are also available, so you absolutely can use LTE in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The LTE will work on China Mobile Hong Kong, CSL, Hutchison, SmarTone in Hong Kong, Deutsche Telekom, O2, Vodafone in Germany, Optus (Virgin), Telstra, Vodafone in Australia, and 3, EE, O2 (Giffgaff), Vodafone in the UK.
So model A1586 is the most globally compatible model, but not "unlockable" in the USA.
That leaves me with one remaining question - how do I get a A1586 device?!