Apple's iPhone 5 is 4G for Australia, too
- — 13 September, 2012 04:22
The new Apple iPhone 5 will work on Australian 4G networks
Apple's new iPhone 5 will support the Australian 4G networks offered by Telstra and Optus, the company announced this morning.
Apple lifted the lid of its newest generation iPhone 5 in a long awaited event this morning in San Francisco. One of the phone's new features is worldwide 4G LTE connectivity and Apple confirmed the iPhone 5 will work on Australian 4G networks offered by Telstra, Optus and Optus MVNO Virgin Mobile.
The iPhone 5 marks the first time an LTE capable Apple device has worked on Australian 4G networks. Apple's new iPad, unveiled in February, is marketed as a 4G device but doesn't support the 1800MHz 4G network bands used in Australia by Telstra and Optus.
The iPhone 5 has a single chip for voice and data and a single radio chip, Apple confirmed.
The iPhone 5 will be released in Australia on Friday 21 September. It will come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models with Australian pricing starting at $799 for the 16GB model. The 32GB model will set you back $899 and the 64GB version will cost $999.
• Apple iPhone 5 preview
• Apple iPhone 5 vs. Apple iPhone 4S: What's the difference?
• Apple's iPhone 5 'Lightning' adapters will retail for $35 and $45, not available until October
• Apple iPhone 5 Australian buying guide
Comments
jason
1
Haha goodbye Vodafail!!
Robin P
2
The bad part being that the GSM A1429 model that will be sold by the local telco's runs on the LTE 850 / 1800 / 2100 frequencies (Band 1, 3, 5) which will be fine for their current networks - but when the federal government divides up the analog TV spectrum next year - it wont be compatible with the new 700 Mhz network (which is covered the GSM A1428 model).
johnny
3
Not a problem Robin , there will be a iPhone 6 or 7 by the time the 700Mhz network is built
Joe
4
Its just a frequency switch. Can be added anytime to existing 4g networks. So, essentially the iPhone 5 will still work but not be as long distance or work through walls/ elevators as the 700mhz band. This is similar to Optus / Vodafone 2100mhz compared to telstras 850mhz.