Will the CDMA Verizon iPhone 4 work on the Sprint network? Yes. Will you be able to use it on the Sprint network? Probably not.
The CDMA iPhone (Verizon), unlike the GSM iPhone (AT&T, Orange, etc), isn't locked. That said, CDMA providers have full control over what devices operate on their network and don't typically allow outsiders.
So while you CAN use the Verizon iPhone 4 on other CDMA networks, you probably won't be able to.
Submitted by Chad Shmukler on
UPDATE (2/14/2011): A jailbreak (not unlock) for Verizon iPhones running iOS 4.2.6 is now available. Click the following link to learn about how to jailbreak the Verizon iPhone.
Since Verizon's iPhone 4 launch announcement yesterday, the web has been rife with speculation on how soon we'll see the Verizon iPhone 4 jailbroken and unlocked. Will the iPhone Dev Team focus on the CDMA iPhone unlock, or just the jailbreak of iOS 4.2.5? If an unlock does become available for the Verizon iPhone, will Sprint embrace the CDMA iPhone? Some say it will happen, some say it won't. Except there's only one problem ... the CDMA / Verizon iPhone 4 isn't locked in the first place. Why? Because CDMA phones aren't locked.
No, according to Verizon's COO, Verizon and Apple's contract is not exclusive like the original contract with AT&T was. Though the CDMA version of the Verizon iPhone 4 is currently only scheduled for availability on Verizon, the contract between Verizon and Apple doesn't prevent other CDMA carriers (i.e. Sprint) from making a deal with Apple to begin selling the CDMA iPhone as well.
The Verizon wireless iPhone will be available for purchase in-store at official Verizon Wireless retail stores, Apple retail stores and at third-party retailers Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
The Verizon iPhone will also be available to existing customers for pre-order online (supplies limited) starting on February 3rd. Normal online sales of the Verizon iPhone begin on February 9th at 3:01 AM EST.
Every single one of Verizon's 93 million customers is able to purchase an iPhone at any time during their contract with Verizon Wireless. However, only customers that are upgrade eligible will be able to do so at the subsidized pricing of $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB).
If you aren't eligible to upgrade at this time, you can still buy the iPhone 4 on launch day or thereafter at full retail price. Full retail price is $649.99 (16GB) and $749.99 (32GB).
