iPhone X Intel vs. Qualcomm modems in X/8+

[maverick22]

I'm thinking of switching carriers while AT&T has the BOGO going on. Is there much of a difference between Intel & Qualcomm modems inside either the X or 8+?

I'm thinking of going to Best Buy to do this if you all think it's worth it for the Qualcomm.

Thanks in advance!

 

[posguy99]

You're already off ATT. Why would you switch TO them?

 

[maverick22]

You're already off ATT. Why would you switch TO them?

I'm with T-Mo and am thinking of switching back to AT&T. Tired of the poor indoor reception of T-Mo. Calls also seem to break up more with T-Mo. Never had that trouble with AT&T. I'm in Dallas by the way.

 

[Freakonomics101]

The Qualcomm chips provide better performance and signal reliability when the device is struggling to hold a signal. I have personally owned both the Intel and Qualcomm iPhone X. The Intel modem struggled to hold an LTE data connection. Sessions often timed out.

The Qualcomm iPhone X shows consistent data speeds and holds the LTE connection if I move to another area within the home. The Intel chip would drop LTE all together if I moved. Both tested on the Verizon network and in the same location.

 

[maverick22]

The Qualcomm chips provide better performance and signal reliability when the device is struggling to hold a signal. I have personally owned both the Intel and Qualcomm iPhone X. The Intel modem struggled to hold an LTE data connection. Sessions often timed out.

The Qualcomm iPhone X shows consistent data speeds and holds the LTE connection if I move to another area within the home. The Intel chip would drop LTE all together if I moved. Both tested on the Verizon network and in the same location.

Great info! Thanks. Hope Best Buy employees know what they are doing and can handle the port over and B1G1.

 

[raqball]

But doesn't the AT&T version have the same Intel chip as the T-Mo variant?

 

[maverick22]

But doesn't the AT&T version have the same Intel chip as the T-Mo variant?

Best Buy, Target, and the Apple sim-free all have the Qualcomm modems I believe.

 

[raqball]

But you can't get the BOGO if it's not an AT&T variant.. Nor can you put one on payments, which is required for the BOGO, if it's not an AT&T variant.

 

[maverick22]

But you can't get the BOGO if it's not an AT&T variant.. Nor can you put one on payments, which is required for the BOGO, if it's not an AT&T variant.

I was in Best Buy a couple of months ago when AT&T was doing the same thing (not sure if it included the X), and BB was acting like they were also doing the BOGO.

 

[raqball]

Here is the thing.. Best Buy can't and won't give you unlocked phones to use on AT&T when you are doing a BOGO or financing.. If you want unlocked phones then you need to buy them at full price.

Does BB do BOGO? Yuo! And both will be AT&T phones.. Yes you will get the BOGO @ BB but they will not be the unlocked (Qualcomm) versions. Both phones will be AT&T (Intel) versions.

 

[maverick22]

Here is the thing.. Best Buy can't and won't give you unlocked phones to use on AT&T when you are doing a BOGO or financing.. If you want unlocked phones then you need to buy them at full price.

Does BB do BOGO? Yuo! And both will be AT&T phones.. Yes you will get the BOGO @ BB but they will not be the unlocked (Qualcomm) versions. Both phones will be AT&T (Intel) versions.

From what I understood from reading online, their iPhones start off unlocked, but as soon as a SIM card is inserted, it will become locked to that carrier. That is fine with me as long as I can get one with a Qualcomm modem.

Maybe I’m making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. As the user above posted though he thinks the Qualcomm performed better.

 

[raqball]

If an AT&T or T-Mobile version is locked or unlocked to the carrier has nothing to do with it. The modem is model specific. I have an AT&T version. When I get it unlocked down the line it does not magically get the Qualcomm modem.

If you are buying an iPhone X on a financed AT&T account you will get model 1901 (Intel)...

If you want Qualcomm you need model 1865 (Unlocked or Verizon). The only way to get a financed model 1865 is through Apple financing or Verizon financing.

1901: AT&T and T-Mobile (Intel)
1865: Unlocked and Verizon (Qualcomm)

Not sure which modem the Sprint version had.

Best Buy can't sell you a 1865 on an AT&T installment plan or BOGO.

 

[Shadowbech]

From what I understood from reading online, their iPhones start off unlocked, but as soon as a SIM card is inserted, it will become locked to that carrier. That is fine with me as long as I can get one with a Qualcomm modem.

Maybe I’m making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. As the user above posted though he thinks the Qualcomm performed better.

Typically Best Buy sells sim-free models only so they all will come with qualcomm chip. They just bring out the AT&T sim card. But yes once you insert AT&T sim, it will be locked to AT&T network until you request an unlock. If you see the model number for Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-mobile on best buy, they are all the same. And they are same model number from Apple sim-free models.

Here is what's pulled from Best Buy website and Apple website (it's the sim-free model 64 GB space gray).

 

[rugmankc]

Check before you buy. Settings/General/About and tap on model. It needs to say A1865 for Qualcomm.

I think my Qualcomm is better than the intel I had on my 6s Plus. Albeit a different iPhone.

 

[maverick22]

Check before you buy. Settings/General/About and tap on model. It needs to say A1865 for Qualcomm.

I think my Qualcomm is better than the intel I had on my 6s Plus. Albeit a different iPhone.

They let you check that before you buy? I remember in the past they didn’t do that because if a customer didn’t want it, it would be considered “open box” then.

 

[rugmankc]

They let you check that before you buy? I remember in the past they didn’t do that because if a customer didn’t want it, it would be considered “open box” then.

If not, you still have return policy.

 

[Starfyre]

Back when the iPhone X first launched, I had to see for myself. For the community, by me (a community member).

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...mm-iphone-x-benchmarks-for-gsm-users.2084875/

 

[raqball]

Considering millions and millions of non geeks have the T-Mobile and ATT version of the Intel phones and they never notice any difference whatsoever, I'd say the debate over the 2 is just for a niche user-base.

I've never bother worrying about it and honestly I've never noticed any difference whatsoever. I've had unlocked and AT&T versions of the same iPhones and I suppose if I ran test I would have seen a difference but in day to day normal person use? None, nada, zilch.

To each their own I suppose.

 

[caranddriver]

I find the ATT iPhone X to have a pretty lousy holding an LTE signal and then going back to an LTE signal. Considering how much I paid for the iPhone, I expected better. I would switch to a Qcom modem if I could, but I wasn't given that choice when buying on opening day.

 

[maverick22]

I find the ATT iPhone X to have a pretty lousy holding an LTE signal and then going back to an LTE signal. Considering how much I paid for the iPhone, I expected better. I would switch to a Qcom modem if I could, but I wasn't given that choice when buying on opening day.

Do you have any issues indoors (grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, malls)? I’ve had nothing but trouble getting reception indoors with my intel 7 plus on T-Mobile. Just so tired of it and ready to try the Qualcomm on another network. Being in south Dallas many recommend ATT as headquarters are nearby.

 

[raqball]

I find the ATT iPhone X to have a pretty lousy holding an LTE signal and then going back to an LTE signal. Considering how much I paid for the iPhone, I expected better. I would switch to a Qcom modem if I could, but I wasn't given that choice when buying on opening day.

Interesting. Mine has better reception than other recent phones I've used. I have bad signal at my home but the X on AT&T is better than these recent phones as far as signal strength goes: Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 1, Samsung Galaxy S7.. With the X (Intel modem on AT&T) I am getting stronger signal and better reception...

 

[maverick22]

Interesting. Mine has better reception than other recent phones I've used. I have bad signal at my home but the X on AT&T is better than these recent phones as far as signal strength goes: Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 1, Samsung Galaxy S7.. With the X (Intel modem on AT&T) I am getting stronger signal and better reception...

That is interesting. Maybe location and carrier - not sure.

 

[apolloa]

Typically Best Buy sells sim-free models only so they all will come with qualcomm chip. They just bring out the AT&T sim card. But yes once you insert AT&T sim, it will be locked to AT&T network until you request an unlock. If you see the model number for Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-mobile on best buy, they are all the same. And they are same model number from Apple sim-free models.

Here is what's pulled from Best Buy website and Apple website (it's the sim-free model 64 GB space gray).

How do you know they don’t sell Intel modem iPhones sim free too? Why wouldn’t they do so?

 

[fischersd]

How do you know they don’t sell Intel modem iPhones sim free too? Why wouldn’t they do so?

Because it would come back and bite Best Buy in the ass if they did so - everyone's expectation is that the "SIM free" handset has the Qualcomm modem in it - so it can work on Verizon & Sprint's CDMA networks (ie - it works on ALL carriers in the US).

@maverick22 - lots of people bitch about T-Mo's coverage. A Qualcomm equipped iPhone X likely would have helped you if you were staying on T-Mobile (you could get one used?)
As raqball said, no-one's going to sell you a new "SIM free" (Verizon/Sprint/A1865) on a financing plan for either AT&T or T-mobile - not unless you have a really good friend that's a store manager.

 

[apolloa]

Because it would come back and bite Best Buy in the ass if they did so - everyone's expectation is that the "SIM free" handset has the Qualcomm modem in it - so it can work on Verizon & Sprint's CDMA networks (ie - it works on ALL carriers in the US).

@maverick22 - lots of people bitch about T-Mo's coverage. A Qualcomm equipped iPhone X likely would have helped you if you were staying on T-Mobile (you could get one used?)
As raqball said, no-one's going to sell you a new "SIM free" (Verizon/Sprint/A1865) on a financing plan for either AT&T or T-mobile - not unless you have a really good friend that's a store manager.

So it’s just an assumption then? Here n the U.K. as I understand you can end up with Qualcomm or Intel buying Sim free, and it doesn’t matter where you buy it from, apparently.