It will take a few years, but eventually CDMA will be completely phased
out in favor of LTE and newer standards, things will be much simpler
once that happens.
Original message:
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
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/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
<http://www.apple.com/iphone-7/specs/> and on its LTE
<http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/> page.
iphone-7-carriers
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
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/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
<http://www.macrumors.com/2015/10/16/intel-lte-modem-chip-iphone-7/>
for select iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models, including AT&T models
<http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/10/intel-qualcomm-modem-split-iphone-7/>,
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.
iphone-7-wireless 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
<http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/10/intel-qualcomm-modem-split-iphone-7/>,
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.
iphone-6s-wireless 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
<http://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/intel-continues-to-pare-mobile-losses-buys-cdma-modem-assets-from-via-telecom>
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 <http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-7/>
Tags: Intel <http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/intel/>, Sprint
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/sprint/>, T-Mobile
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/t-mobile/>, AT&T
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/att/>, Verizon
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/verizon/>, Qualcomm
<http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/qualcomm/>
Discuss this article
<http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma.1992985/>
in our forums
(image)
<http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=ojdG2Ez3hfc:mkr4un4YuMw:yIl2AUoC8zA>
(image)
<http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=ojdG2Ez3hfc:mkr4un4YuMw:6W8y8wAjSf4>
(image)
<http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=ojdG2Ez3hfc:mkr4un4YuMw:qj6IDK7rITs>
Original Article:
http://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma/
<http://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma/>
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