TechWalls

Technology News | Gadget Reviews | Tutorials

The Differences between iPhone 5S A1533, A1453, A1457 and A1530

Updated on by

Now you can grab the new iPhone 5S at an Apple Store or on its online store, however, that’s not the end of the story. Probably you are choosing the wrong iPhone 5S.

I say that because this is the most complicated iPhone’s launch ever. If you choose the wrong iPhone 5S unit, you probably can’t use it on your network. Therefore, you will need to do some research before going to the store.

Apple is offering six iPhone 5S models at the moment. They have similar tech specs and you can’t distinguish them with your eyes. They all have the Retina display, fingerprint identity sensor, dual LED-flash and also include all three color options, which are Space Gray, Gold and Silver.

Real also: The Difference between Apple’s iPhone 5S A7 64-bit Processor and Other 32-bit Processors

The differences come from initial carrier distribution and network support because Apple designs them for different region and mobile operators.

iphone-5s-model-box

Let’s check out those models:

  • Model A1453: This model works on CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B system (with 800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz bands), it supports 13 LTE bands (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). This is the most universal model as it could work on major LTE networks in the U.S., however, it is sold locked on Sprint.
  • Model A1533 (GSM): This is the GSM version of model A1533 which is being sold locked and unlocked for AT&T and T-Mobile. This is also the SIM-free international version of iPhone 5S, which doesn’t include a nano-SIM card. It supports 11 LTE bands LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
  • Model A1533 (CDMA): This is the CDMA version of A1533. It works on CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and is being sold for Verizon’s customers. It supports 11 LTE Bands (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
  • Model A1457: This is the model for European markets. It supports 7 LTE bands (Bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) which can work on EE, Vodafone and O2 in the U.K., it also supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
  • Model A1530: The model is tailored for Asian markets. It supports the 3 TD-LTE bands 38, 39, 40 and 7 FDD-LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, therefore, it can work well on TD-LTE network of China Mobile, the largest mobile operator in the world. It also supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).
  • Model A1528: This is the unlocked model being sold in China. It is just like the simplified GSM version of A1530 as it doesn’t have LTE bands. It only supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

iphone-5s-model-number

The model numbers could be confusing but you must be extremely cautious. Make sure to check the model number printed outside the box before buying. Enjoy your iPhone 5S.

Disclosure: We might earn commission from qualifying purchases. The commission help keep the rest of my content free, so thank you!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sarah says

    Hi, Tuan.
    Thank you for your information, howeverr I have question. Which model should I get if I want to use in Indonesia? I couldn’t find any information for indonesian carrier so its a bit confusing. Will it be A1550 or gsm A1553?
    Thanks!

  2. Bao Anh Thai says

    Hi Tuan Do,

    I’ve bought an iPhone 5s in Vietnam. It has worked well for two months and one day lost carrier signal. I gave it to FPT shop in Hochiminh city to fix. They restored and the phone is dead, which means when restore, it stuck in updating firmware. FPT surrendered, so I do a research by myself. I found out that the model of my phone is A1533 – which means it is an iPhone made for China Telecom. I guess that the seller deceived me selling a jailbreak phone. My questions are:

    1. can a jailbreak CDMA iPhone like model A1533 worked with mobifone carrier (I believe mobifone is GSM).

    2. is there any way to recover my iPhone (unable to restore via iTunes)?

    Many thanks in advance.

  3. Lu says

    Hi,

    I’am in China with an european A1457, I bought an China Mobile sim, but 3g doesn’t work, just EDGE. I read somewhere that the China Unicom’s sim cards support A1457’s 3g, do you know if this information is correct?.

    Thank you.

  4. robin says

    hi i live in italy want to buy a iphone 5s which model is best a1530 or a1457

  5. Adam says

    I purchased an iPhone from amazon which turned out to be an Asian version and I live in the UK, my phone became faulty after 2 months so I decided to take it to apple store and acknowledged the fault however they did not replace the unit as it wasn’t european.
    My question is can Apple do this?

  6. Chris says

    Just to note, I bought an iphone in Chile and turned out to be the european version. It will work in the US, but not on LTE.
    On the other hand, you still can find the iphone 5, the one sold in this country is the US LTE version.

  7. albert says

    Hi tuan..
    I have a a1530 bought in korea can i use this here in Philippine?

  8. suraj lama says

    hello sir i recently have brought iphone 5s its in locked mode and i asked at repairing shop he said if your iphone is icloud locked your phone is useless and my iphone model no is A1457 can help me..

  10. gurdas says

    Hey i m frm india and i wanna know which model of iphone 5s will support 3g, 4g, LTE in india plz give me rply i m in a very big trouble

  11. kevin says

    Hi, I would just like to know if I purchase an iPhone 5s from Bahrain (Middle East) will it perfectly work here in the uk on vodafone? Hope you’ll reply my question. Thanks!

    • Tuan Do says

      Hi Kevin,
      What is the model number of the iPhone 5S you purchase in Bahrain?

  12. Bassam Elsayed Saleh says

    i’ve i phone Model A1457 5S came from Austeria As a gift and i found it is locked with i-cloud,my question is is this suitable to operate in Egypt ” VODAFONE, MOBINILE or ETISALAT” & if how i can unlock it,
    it’s with following IMEI :358686054238518

  13. Ashish Verma says

    I am from India, I am planning to buy iphone 5s from online stores.
    Which model will these online store provide to me and which is best suitable in India. (e.g. A1530, A1453, A1533 etc.)
    Here I am using Airtel & Vodafone as carriers.
    Are these online stores provide phones in locked mode or in unlocked state.

    Kindly advise.

  14. Sanjaya Mahesh says

    hey Thuan
    I wish to buy aiphone 5s from kuweait. But I’m Living in SriLanka
    So which model is the can best use in Sri Lanka
    Please Reply me soon

  15. ehab says

    Please ,Im from Iraq ,and the have 7 band LTE ,so Just A1530 AND A1457 works here? or have offer Virizon Unlocked A1530 Will work here In Iraq GSM ?

    Regards

  16. Hari says

    I have I phone 5S Model A1530 bought from Kuwait and I will be visiting USA , please advise what Service Provider(s) can provide me a supporting network?

  17. kunwar says

    i have a 5s A1453 bought in japan with docomo but it’s not working in india , what should i do to work in india

  18. dhaval patel says

    i want to buy an iphone 5s model A1530 from online apple store ( U.K or any wherelse),
    so my question is will this model work in india?
    Will this phone is locked or unlocked?
    Will this model is compatible with idea network provider?
    What happend if this model is unlocked and not work on idea network gsm 3g or 4g?
    Help me plz

    and tell me rather i should buy it from apple store in india?
    If i buy it from uk will my guarrent and warrenty avoid?

  19. adarsh kumar says

    i want to buy i phone 5s which model will work in india…and supports4g network

  21. Thruxton Z says

    If I purchase a Model A1533, When I unlock it. Will I have LTE in Japan with SoftBank?

  22. jhonn says

    Hola tuan; he comprado un iphone 5s modelo A1457 en francia europa
    lo he traido a sudamerica y lo tengo que abrir de bandas no se si es gsm o global y cual me recomiendas para sudamerica en este caso seria Ecuador se te agradece tu atencion
    Pd:el iphone no coje sim ecuatoriana

  24. Gagan says

    my iPhone 5s is locked (sim not vaild) in india.. i purchase from kuwait,,,A1457- imei no is -352015068656257 please unlock iphone,,,it is locked to zain Kw network,,,

  25. Jonny says

    Hi do any of you guys know what model numbers would come with earlier versions of iOS, I am looking for ios7 to ios 8.1.2 Thanks,

  26. Susana says

    hello
    I need help!!!!!!!!!
    i have the 5s A1453, is from the US but i want to know if I can use it in Mexico (telcel,movistar, iusacell,unefon)
    thanks

  29. Muhammad Meesha says

    This has been the most useful information Thank You! I have just bought A-1533, will its LTE works in Pakistan? and how can i obtain its carrier info. looking for your swift response. Thanks again.

  30. vijosh says

    sir,
    now i m from U A E and i m interested in iphone6. india is my country. which model can i use without any problem

  36. Didi says

    Hello,
    I am trying to find an iPhone 5s that will connect to MetroPCS. Which one would work with this company? Metro merged with T-mobile and accepts unlocked phones as far as I know.
    Your help would be appreciated.
    Thanks.

  37. Aubrey Romo says

    Looking to buy a 5S, I live in Alaska and my carrier is “gci” owns and maintains a GSM and CDMA network. But often spend time in Hawaii, California, and Oregon. and interested in visiting to the UK… which 5S model is the right one for me??? any insight would be appreciated!-Thank you!!!

  38. Elijah says

    I have the model A1453. I bought it off a girl purchased it from an apple store and she had it activated on Sprint. Does this mean the phone is locked through Sprint and I have to use Sprint? Or does that mean it is an unlocked phone and I can use it through any major US carrier? Please help, thanks!

  39. Anurag says

    Just want to know only that iphone 5s grey model A1530 …. Can i use cdma connection in India …. Ex. Such connection of reliance cdma , tata indicom ( cdma ) … Please give information as soon as possible