US iPhone 5S & SIM

[Tomsk]

My US cousin is coming over to the UK for a couple of weeks with his iPhone 5S.

AFAIK the 5S is compatible with UK networks, right?

Also he wants data and to be able to phone home. Can anyone recommend a SIM? I'm thinking 3 or GiffGaff.

 

[Space Monkey]

Does he have the CDMA Verizon model or GSM SIM version? Haven't checked the iPhone 5S specifically but normally the CDMA versions don't have SIMs do they?

 

[Tomsk]

He's asked about getting a new card (SIM) so I presume he has the GSM compatible version.
I'll check with him.

 

[Space Monkey]

As long as his phone is unlocked, get him to check the band frequencies his phone supports and then match with a UK provider on the same bands

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

The CDMA iPhones have SIM card slots.

 

[Space Monkey]

The CDMA iPhones have SIM card slots.

Good to know

 

[Tomsk]

According to this

https://www.apple.com/iphone-5s/specs/

They are all GSM capable.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Does he have the Verizon (CDMA) or the AT&T (UMTS) version of the 5s?

The former will be very slow for data (no UK 3G support), but the latter will work on all the UK 3G networks.

No LTE though.