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The specs for the third generation Verizon iPad say that it will be GSM/EDGE compatible. Does this mean that the Verizon new iPad will have a SIM card slot? Will I be better off with a Verizon iPad if I wanted the ability to connect to either CDMA or GSM networks?

Edit:

Will the Verizon model have a SIM tray? Will it be locked to Verizon? (Say I wanted to buy an iPad SIM card later from AT&T, would I have that option?)

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Yes.

(It's a "world iPad" for both the AT&T and Verizon model.)

Whether a device functions worldwide for a specific wireless standard depends on the frequency bands that it supports.

E.g. The new iPad supports LTE, but only the frequency bands 700 MHz and 2100 MHz which are not used outside the US.

The iPhone 4S has been called a world phone, because it supports all the frequency band used for GSM worldwide:

  • 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

The new iPad supports the same GSM frequency bands for both the AT&T and Verizon model. Therefore it's a "world iPad".

Of course you need a SIM-tray, to make use of this. Like the iPhone, the iPad has a Micro-SIM card tray.

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    Actually I think the answer is YES for GSM, but NO for LTE because (as you mentioned) the supported LTE bands are not used outside the US. So the initial "Yes." in your answer might be kind of misleading.
    – nohillside ♦
    Commented Mar 11, 2012 at 11:32
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    @patrix Yeah, this is sort of confusing. There actually is no such defined term as world phone. I believe the iPhone 4S is called a world phone as GSM is primarily used for making calls. LTE is not not used for making phone calls as it draws a lot more power. It would not make sense to call bind the term world phone to LTE support.
    – gentmatt
    Commented Mar 11, 2012 at 11:44
  • Do both models have the SIM tray?
    – Moshe
    Commented Mar 11, 2012 at 12:38
  • @Moshe Apple does not distinguish between the models in the tech specs when it comes to input/output connections. Therefore I think that both models have a SIM tray.
    – gentmatt
    Commented Mar 11, 2012 at 12:48
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    From apple.com/ipad/4g: "iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G models for AT&T and for Verizon connect to GSM/UMTS networks worldwide." Both models must have a SIM tray for that assertion to work.
    – Sören Kuklau
    Commented Mar 11, 2012 at 17:19

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