So, here are a couple data points. Went to Store this AM, 05:00, waited in line till about 10:00, finally they took reservations for later in the day pickup. I selected two, AT&T 256 and Verizon 256.. I had HAD an AT&T order that was to be delivered by 11/20. Didn't want to wait. when the rep selected the items from their inventory screen he selected 256, AT&T UNLOCKED and Verizon 256 SG, UNLOCKED. theres was an option for locked to be selected. Since I was paying in full, that is probably why the UNLOCKED was selected.
When I went back to pickup, about 30 minutes prior I had cancelled the online order for the AT&T phone I had made with the apple app back on 10/27. Just in case.
I simply paid for the two phones and walked out. No SSN, no confirmation of my AT&T account or phone number or pin, just walked out with both phones. The Apple Employee essentially confirmed that the Verizon models were basically their Unlocked free units.
So, now I have to decide which one to keep and which one to pass on to a colleague. From the posts above and other posts it would seem that possibly the qualcomm is a better performing phone or at least has the ability to be, as well as that it is clearly Worldwide unlocked and can operate essentially anywhere.
Are there any reasons to go with the AT&T phone for an AT&T customer? That 33 Band that was unique to AT&T phones a few generations ago seems to be universal now. And the CDMA optionality for either use or future sale seems to be a positive.
And, from posts here it would seem that just popping in my legacy AT&T SIM from the phone 7 it should just activate on AT&T and i'm good to go? Any reason no?