The iPhone 5 will finally be sold through T-Mobile starting on April 12. This iPhone 5 is a modified version of the A1428 iPhone 5 that is currently produced other networks such as AT&T. The new version of the A1428 has been tweaked on the hardware side by Apple to support Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) bands for T-Mobile’s network. Current iPhone 5 A1428 models can not be updated to add AWS support and will be notably slower on T-Mobile’s network.

Apple’s enabling support of the AWS bands from the factory on the new guy – and sadly, Apple affirmed to us that it’s not something that can be enabled via a simple software update for A1428 iPhone units already in circulation. To say that another way, existing iPhone 5 owners on AT&T cannot simply apply a software patch to have AWS support added. You’ll need to buy a new phone next month.

Apple will be selling the new version of the A1428 iPhone on April 12, unlocked at full retail price and will function with both the T-Mobile and AT&T networks, as well as on many LTE bands around the world.

Source [MacRumors]