Is it possible to use an AT&T Lumia 640 on Verizon?

[Windows Central Question]

Currently, I am still clinging on to my beloved HTC 8X for Verizon. I want a new Windows Phone, though I don't want to enter into a new 2-year contract in case the Talkman/Walkman make it onto Verizon. If they don't perhaps the Surface Phone will. Because of this, I was looking for other CHEAP Windows Phones as I am currently on a budget. I found that Microsoft was doing a promotion for a $69 Lumia 640, locked to AT&T. It is my understanding that AT&T makes it relatively easy to unlock a phone. I figured I could unlock the locked phone and try to slip my Verizon SIM in. Will this work? If it does, will LTE work? Should I give up hope on Verizon's support of Windows? I can't change carriers because I'm still a part of my family's plan and Verizon NEXT is just too damn expensive. Will this work or should I just keep waiting? Thanks!
-Tim

 

[xandros9]

It's not possible to use any non-explicitly Verizon phone on Verizon.

I'd get onboard with a 928 or 735 if you want to spend some more.

The LG Lancet is worth a look.

 

[tgp]

It's not possible to use any non-explicitly Verizon phone on Verizon.

This isn't totally accurate, but it is true for Windows Phones. Apple, Google, and soon Motorola all have factory unlocked phones that work on Verizon.

OP, no the 640 will not work on Verizon, even if you get it unlocked. Verizon uses CDMA technology, but the 640 has GSM only.

 

[Laura Knotek]

This isn't totally accurate, but it is true for Windows Phones. Apple, Google, and soon Motorola all have factory unlocked phones that work on Verizon.

I'm not sure which iPhones are unlocked and work on Verizon. So far only the Nexus 6 is unlocked and works on Verizon. Why doesn't the Nexus 5 work on Verizon? - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

OP, no the 640 will not work on Verizon, even if you get it unlocked. Verizon uses CDMA technology, but the 640 has GSM only.

That is correct.

 

[tgp]

I'm not sure which iPhones are unlocked and work on Verizon. So far only the Nexus 6 is unlocked and works on Verizon.

The factory unlocked iPhone 6/6+ work on Verizon. Even the T-Mobile and AT&T models work fully on Verizon if they're SIM unlocked. Here's a discussion about it on Howard Forums:

Theoretical: Use an unlocked GSM iPhone 6 (Plus) on Verizon?

Here's another article from an Apple forums:

not only is the iPhone 6 unlocked, but the t-mobile phones work on verizon!

The upcoming Moto X Style Pure Edition is also supposedly going to work on Verizon. The AT&T Nexus 6 also works once it is SIM unlocked.

 

[timferaco]

The LTE bands are supported though. Couldn't you, in theory, rely on VoLTE and not worry about the CDMA bands? I know very little on this topic so correct me if I'm wrong.

(I asked the question and just signed up for an account. First post BTW so quoting for a reply isn't an option yet)

 

[xandros9]

I forgot about the Nexus 6 and such!

But ultimately, you aren't going to get that 640 onto Verizon. You'll have to get a VZW phone as far as Windows Phones are concerned. Even in most other cases it is the same.

Verizon's network is on a whitelist too IIRC, and the 640 isn't on that.

 

[james42519]

but it says here it supports
Buy AT&T - Microsoft Lumia 640 (Black) - No Contract - Microsoft Store

GSM network: 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz
GSM max data speed DL: EGPRS 296.0kbps
GSM max data speed UL: EGPRS 236.8kbps
WCDMA network: Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 2 (1900 MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850MHz)
WCDMA max data speed DL: 42.2Mbps (Cat 24)
WCDMA max data speed UL: 5.76Mbps (Cat 6)
LTE FDD network10: Band 17 (700MHz), Band 2 (1900MHz), Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz), Band 5 (850MHz), Band 7 (2600MHz), Band 28 (700MHz), Band 12 (700MHz)
LTE max data speed DL: 150Mbps (Cat 4)
LTE max data speed UL: 50Mbps (Cat 4)

isn't verizon wcdma?
verizon uses 800mhz/1900 MHz for 3g and 700 mhz band 13, 850mhz band 5, 1700/2100 mhz band 4 for 4g lte. looks like this phone supports all of that besides band 13. they are not useing band 13 right now i think? there is no way to get it working?

 

[tgp]

isn't verizon wcdma?

No, Verizon is CDMA. I'm no expert, but this article explains the difference in layman's terms. The "W" matters! :eck: