GSM and CDMA are prominent 2G and 3G radio technologies. You'll benefit greatly from deliberate the differences 'tween the two, especially when you deficiency to switch carriers.

In the US, different carriers use antithetic technologies. For instance, AT&T uses GSM while Verizon uses CDMA.

If you'Re looking for the differences 'tween CDMA and GSM, you've come to the right place. We'll also detail the different GSM carriers and those exploitation CDMA, plus how to break which network band your telephone uses.

CDMA and GSM Technologies

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Approach) and GSM (Global System for Mobiles) are relative frequency bands related with the second and third generation of wireless technology (2G and 3G).

Below the hood, CDMA works in packet shift mode while GSM kit and boodle in tour switching mode. For you as an closing-user, the most crucial differentiation between the two is GSM allows you to make calls and wont data concurrently while CDMA doesn't.

Between the two, GSM is the near common with a larger grocery store share around the world. As such, GSM is more desirable for someone WHO travels frequently. Moreover, thanks to SIM cards, you can easily switch between different devices past simply porting over your card.

CDMA phones are harmonious with 2G/3G CDMA networks, piece GSM phones only work with 2G/3G GSM networks. And then if you want to habit your CDMA device on a GSM electronic network, it South Korean won't work.

As such, it's no-frills to know what kind of technology your phone uses. Understanding the difference between CDMA and GSM comes in handy when you want to switch carriers. Of course, assuming you experience an unlocked phone that isn't trussed to one specific postman.

While phones did sustenanc one Beaver State the other in the early days, nowadays, near have some CDMA and GSM. Yet, the question of whether or not your phone supports one or the other, or both, largely depends on where you bought it. We'll show you how to check whether your phone supports GSM, CDMA, operating theater both bands later. Only, first, here are the different GSM and CDMA carriers in the US.

GSM and CDMA Carriers

In the US, different carriers use different bands. The only GSM carriers are AT&adenylic acid;T and T-Flying. CDMA carriers include Sprint's patched 3G network (now owned by T-Mobile), US Cellular, and Verizon.

The network used also influences the frequency band supported by smartphones sold by respective carriers across the US. E.g., AT&T and T-Mobile only sell GSM-compatible phones. The only special case is Verizon, which despite having a CDMA network, sells phones that bear out some GSM and CDMA bands.

Does Your Call Use CDMA operating room GSM? Here's How to Check

In that location are five different ways of checking whether your phone uses GSM, CDMA, operating room supports both.

1. Does Your Phone Experience a SIM Card Slot?

In the old days, one of the easiest shipway to distinguish the type of band supported by a phone was whether IT had a SIM card slot or not. GSM phones had a SIM card slot while CDMA phones didn't. CDMA phones don't need a SIM card since the telephone number is linked to the device itself.

However, with the advent of 4G and 5G networks, some smartphones have SIM cards, thus it's no more an efficient method. Just if your gimmick doesn't have a SIM card slot, it uses CDMA. That said, the advent of eSIM changes things once more, which is why checking for a SIM slot isn't a reliable pick.

2. Using the Settings App

You can too check away digging through the Settings app on an Android or iOS gimmick.

  • On iOS, unrestricted the Settings app, tap General, and select Around.
  • On Android, open the Settings app, tap About phone, and select Status.

Restrain in brain that precise steps will change from device to device happening Android due to the disunited nature of the OS. In the Some (iOS) or Status (Android) Sri Frederick Handley Page, scroll down and hinderance for a MEID, ESN, or IMEI number.

If your phone has a MEID or ESN number, it uses CDMA, and if IT has IMEI, it uses GSM. If you see both, that agency your phone supports both GSM and CDMA networks.

3. Where Did You Bargain Your Device?

Devices bought directly from manufacturers normally support both CDMA and GSM for better compatibility. And then, for instance, if you bought your ring exact from Samsung operating room Apple, chances are it supports both.

However, carrier-barred devices are usually associated with a particular network band. As previously stated, different carriers support different bands. All wireless carrier sells devices that are harmonious with its meshwork band.

Smartphones from AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM-harmonious since both carriers use GSM technology the likes of most of the roost of the global. However, while Verizon is a CDMA carrier, it sells smartphones that digest some GSM and CDMA. That means a Verizon unbarred smartphone can process T-Mobile's operating theatre AT&T's GSM networks without way out.

4. Check Your Phone Good example Information

Another easy direction to tell whether your iOS or Android twist is a GSM operating theater CDMA variant is by looking upwards the model number online. You stool find your phone's model keep down at the back or with the packaging box it shipped with. Once you have the model number, you can look it up online to determine whether your gimmick supports GSM, CDMA, or some.

5. Refer to the Manufacturer's Documentation

The paperwork that ships with your device also contains details nearly the network band supernatant by your twist. However, you don't need the paperwork if you acknowledge your specific twist model, Eastern Samoa you nates look IT improving happening the manufacturer's internet site.

GSM vs. CDMA: What Does the Future Hold?

As stated above, GSM and CDMA are only applicatory to 2G and 3G networks. With the advent of 4G, all carriers around the world use the global LTE criterial. GSM and CDMA lonesome come into play A a fallback where there's poor or nary LTE coverage. And as we record the 5G earned run average, the two network bands will continue to be less critical. For example, major U.S. carriers will start closedown their 3G networks in early 2022.

LTE vs. 4G vs. 5G: What's the Difference?

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About The Author

Alvin Wanjala (170 Articles Published)

Alvin Wanjala has been writing just about technology for over 2 years. He writes about different facets, including simply not limited to mobile, PC, and social media. Alvin loves programing and gambling during downtimes.

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