Mike Wuerthele
A pair of teardowns have confirmed speculation that Apple used multiple vendors for cellular modems in the iPhone 7 family, with an Intel-made wireless modem found in a model for AT&T and T-Mobile.
A blog post heralding the disassembly of the iPhone 7 A1778 model by Chipworks and TechInsights notes that the Intel Baseband Processor PMB9943 was discovered. In a previous teardown by iFixit, Qualcomm's MDM9645M LTE Cat. 12 Modem was identified.
It was earlier speculated that Apple's shift to two different carrier variants of the iPhone 7 was because Intel had entered the supply chain, and its latest mobile modem can't handle the older CDMA networks used by carriers like Sprint.
For customers the modem change isn't positive — the iPhone 6s has a universal modem, allowing it to be unlocked for any U.S. carrier. Apple, however, gains negotiation and supply chain advantages by having multiple suppliers for a component.
William Gallagher
Chip Loder
Amber Neely
Wesley Hilliard
Sponsored Content
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
25 Comments
So, the moral of this story is to buy the Verizon or Sprint version or wait for the carrier-free version (assuming there will be one and that it works on both CDMA and GSM networks like the Verizon and T-Mobile versions with the Qualcomm chip):
- if you plan to change carriers
- if resale value is a top priority
- if tests prove the Qualcomm chip outperforms the Intel chip.
Majority of Cell carriers in world are GSM based. With LTE for data and VOLTE for voice, CDMA is becoming lesser important technology. Apple web site lists cell spec for both iphone 7 models(ATT and Verizon) consists of same bands so Intel chip model might also support CDMA discrete chip inside.. Model A1660* Model A1661* FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41) TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A) CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900, 2100 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
I purchased the unlocked version of the phone at full price specifically so that I could have both the GSM and CDMA coverage since I routinely travel to other countries that utilize CDMA. Since I'm with AT&T in the USA, a fear I am receiving that GSM-only version.
Chip works is reporting 3 audio amps!