Is My Phone GSM or CDMA?

Follow these simple steps to effigy out what kind of phone you have.

Yous paid common cold hard cash (or at least cold hard credit) for that new phone, which ways yous should be able to take it with y'all to a new carrier, correct? Actually, information technology might depend on what kind of technology your phone uses: GSM or CDMA.

While most phones sold across the world are GSM phones, there are some notable exceptions. Here's a peek at some of the easiest ways to tell what sort of engineering your phone uses.

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How to tell if your phone is GSM or CDMA

  • If you bought your telephone from Verizon, and so it is probably a CDMA telephone.
  • If you bought it from AT&T or T-Mobile, it'south probably GSM.
  • Check your telephone'south Virtually settings.
  • Look upward your phone'southward model number online.

Two hands holding mobile phones

Nosotros'll dive deeper into how to determine your phone'due south technology in a moment. But start, what the heck is going on with all these majuscule messages?

What are GSM and CDMA phones?

You didn't buy a cell telephone and so that you could worry nearly a bunch of technical gobbledygook. But knowing the difference between GSM and CDMA can assist you avoid a big headache in the futurity.

GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communication. CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. Those are just fancy ways of describing two forms of radio technology that phones and phone networks use to transmit voice and data.

Ane of the biggest differences between these ii systems is that GSM phones use SIM cards to link a item phone with its network, while CDMA phones don't require a SIM card because the phone itself is linked to the network.

Even so, with the widespread adoption of 4G LTE networks, this has changed. The GSM vs. CDMA debate was really simply about 2G and 3G technology. Now that 4G (and 5G) are the standards, phone manufacturers similar Apple, Google, and Samsung are creating devices that are compatible with all telephone technologies: CDMA, GSM, LTE.

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Volition GSM phones work on CDMA networks and vice versa?

The short reply is no.

If you take an older device that isonly equipped with GSM technology, information technology will never work well on CDMA networks like Verizon, even if it'southward an unlocked phone. If you have a phone that's CDMA just and so it won't work well on GSM networks, like AT&T and T-Mobile.

A locked phone can be unlocked to piece of work on other networks, but only networks that are compatible with the telephone'due south technology.

Even so, as mentioned to a higher place, if yous have a newer telephone, like a Galaxy S20 (or fifty-fifty an iPhone 6s), it will often exist compatible with all iii technologies as long as it is unlocked.

How to check what kind of phone you have

So, you're request yourself, "Is my phone GSM or CDMA?" Here are the easiest ways to discover out.

Which carrier sold you the phone?

If you bought your phone from your carrier, and so that can ordinarily tell yous what kind of technology it uses. Or, if y'all're like me, and y'all inherited your stepdad's old phone, then ask him where he originally got the device.

While AT&T and T-Mobile sell GSM phones. Verizon uses CDMA technology in its networks, just usually sells phones that are equipped with both technologies.

If you bought your device "factory unlocked" or direct from the manufacturer, then information technology is probable equipped with both technologies.

Check your phone's settings

It would be prissy if your telephone just said what kind of technology information technology used on the back, side by side to the model number. Unfortunately, information technology's non quite that easy. But you can use your phone's settings to figure out whether it's GSM or CDMA.

How to check whether your phone is GSM or CDMA using settings:

  • On an iPhone: Go to theSettings app, click onGeneral soAbout, and look for an MEID, ESN, or IMEI number near the bottom of the bill of fare.
  • On an Android device: Go toSettings, click onSystem and and soAbout phone, then click on Status and look for an MEID, ESN, or IMEI number.

If your phone has anMEID or anESN number, information technology'due south CDMA. If y'all meet anIMEI number and so information technology's GSM. If you run across both, and so your device supports both technologies (lucky you!).

Expect upwards the model number

You tin employ those same About settings to find your model number on both iPhone and Android devices. Model numbers are too often printed on the dorsum of your telephone.

Once you lot've got your model number you can use a simple Google search to find out if it's a GSM or CDMA phone. Here's what it looked like when I looked up my iPhone 6 model.

Check for SIM card slot

There used to be a really easy way to decide what kind phone you had: just come across if it has a SIM card slot. GSM phones did accept SIM card slots, while CDMA phones didn't.

However, since the widespread adoption of 4G LTE technology, most phones use SIM cards, fifty-fifty CDMA devices. So, while this play a joke on is less helpful now, it notwithstanding applies that if your phonedoesn't have a SIM card slot (either in the side or in the back with the battery), and then it'due south nearly certainly a CDMA device.

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The future of GSM vs. CDMA

As 5G networks are rolling out, carriers are first to shutter their erstwhile 2G and 3G networks. That means that GSM and CDMA technologies will become fifty-fifty less relevant.

In fact, well-nigh major United states wireless carriers have been in the process of shutting down their 3G networks over the last couple of years. Verizon has stated that they will be officially shutting down their CDMA 3G network past Dec 31st, 2022.oneThis impacts 3G phones and possibly some 4G devices. If yous have an older phone that is still on a 3G network, yous should check with your carrier about their plans to shut downwards these networks and how it will impact you lot.

GSM and CDMA FAQ

What does GSM stand for?

GSM stands for Global System for Mobile advice. These phones typically crave a SIM menu to stay connected to that network.

What does CDMA stand up for?

CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Admission. Phones using this technology usually don't use a SIM card since it is built in.

Is Verizon CDMA or GSM?

Verizon wireless typically uses CDMA phones, but sells phones that tin use both GSM and CDMA.

Is T-mobile CDMA or GSM?

T-mobile uses the GSM network.

Is AT&T CDMA or GSM?

AT&T uses GSM technology.

Sources

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Easton Smith

Written by

Easton Smith

Easton has worked every bit a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Utilise contracts than whatever human alive. When he's not sitting in front of a estimator, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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