iPhone 7 Models From AT&T and T-Mobile Do Not Support CDMA Networks
MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors / Joe Rossignol
Choosing which iPhone model to purchase this year should be more carefully
considered, as both AT&T and T-Mobile models of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
do not support CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint in the United States.
Apple confirmed the matter in fine print in the iPhone 7 tech specs and on its
LTE page.
A customer that purchases an iPhone 7 from Apple's website and selects AT&T as
their carrier, for example, would be unable to later use the smartphone on
Verizon, Sprint, or any other CDMA network, even if the device is unlocked. By
comparison, all iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models worked on both GSM and CDMA
networks.
A customer that purchases an iPhone 7 from Apple's website and selects Verizon
as their carrier, on the other hand, would also be able to use the smartphone
on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or any other GSM or CDMA network.
It was previously reported that Apple would switch to Intel modems for select
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models, including AT&T models, and Intel modems do
not support the CDMA standard in the United States. That is likely the reason
why AT&T and T-Mobile models are limited to GSM networks.
Only Verizon and Sprint models support both GSM and CDMA networks
The same report said Qualcomm would supply modems for the remaining iPhone 7
and iPhone 7 Plus units, including Verizon and Chinese models, and this appears
to be the case. Qualcomm modems support both the GSM and CDMA standard, which
explains why the iPhone 7 from Verizon and Sprint will work on all carriers.
Qualcomm, which holds patents for WCDMA and CDMA2000 standards, is the main
CDMA modem supplier in the United States. The company developed the first
CDMA-based cellular base station in 1990, and since then it has licensed its
technology to companies like Apple in return for royalty payments.
Until this year, Qualcomm was Apple's exclusive supplier of modems for LTE and
Wi-Fi connectivity, which explains why the iPhone 6s and previous generations
supported both GSM and CDMA networks regardless of carrier. But with Intel
entering the mix, choosing which iPhone to purchase is now more meaningful.
All iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models supported both GSM and CDMA networks
The lack of CDMA support in iPhones with Intel modems may be short lived,
fortunately, as Intel acquired CDMA assets from VIA Telecom in 2015. It is
believed that this acquisition could pave the way for Intel to release its
first LTE modem with both GSM and CDMA support as early as 2017 or 2018.
Ultimately, the most obvious choice should be to purchase a Verizon or Sprint
model, even if you are an AT&T or T-Mobile customer, especially when
considering resale value. However, some customers may have difficulty
purchasing from another carrier, depending on their current status with their
existing carrier.
Apple should also release an unlocked SIM-free model in the U.S., likely based
on the Verizon/Sprint model, in a few weeks based on past launches.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Intel, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Qualcomm
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Original Article:
http://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma/
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