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iPhone 6s LTE 30 Band and CDMA Version Megathread

ordered TMo since it was the only one that showed contract free. Guess we will find out on 9/25 which phone it ends up being, but the order confirmation shows GSM. More than likely will be the same as the AT&T model, hopefully CDMA works :)
 
From the FAQ on Apple's order page:

att-tmobile-vs-sprint-verizon-iPhones.png
 
FYI, if you select to upgrade a device through your carrier on the Apple Store app, it will ask you later on if you want to pay in full or not.

I went T-Mobile. Plan to use on AT&T.
 
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questionmark32 said:
And you all are certain that the T-Mobile phone is the AT&T one without any restrictions?
Click to expand...

questionmark32 said:
Well, I couldn't get one on AT&T, so I got the T-Mobile version. I really hope I didn't screw myself.
Click to expand...

Will there be no definitive answer as to whether the T-Mobile phone is the same as the ATT until phones are delivered? On the Apple Store app there are descriptions for all of the carriers except T-Mobile. What a joke.
 
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Since I have an AT&T account, I didn't risk it. Bought the AT&T iPhone 6s Plus for me and 6s for wifey, at full price. Will then get both unlocked by AT&T the day they show up, for free, (if they're not already unlocked), and then I won't have to wonder if they support band 30!
 
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I kinda feel bad for TMobile. They'll get all excited that they sold a boat load of iPhones on pre-order day via Apple.com.... almost all of them will be used with AT&T (or possibly Verizon, crossing fingers CDMA works). Wonder how many more years before we just get an "Apple iPhone" option that isn't connected to any carrier (even if it's just in name) and has all the bands included and active... there obviously is a demand for it now...
 
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Apple finally updated its LTE page with the 6s/plus -- http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Only AT&T gets A1633/4 and band 30. So if you want the most bands, get that one (assuming it works with CDMA). Cancelling my t-mobile order as soon as it lets me (thankfully I already have an AT&T order in place, but I think shipping availability is still pretty good right now)
 
terraphantm said:
Apple finally updated its LTE page with the 6s/plus -- http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
Click to expand...

This is rather curious. It is listing the models as:

iPhone 6s
Model A1633

iPhone 6s Plus
Model A1634​

This is obviously for use with AT&T, but then it lists:

iPhone 6s
Model A1638 (GSM)
Model A1638 (CDMA)

iPhone 6s Plus
Model A1687 (GSM)
Model A1687 (CDMA)
​
What on earth is model A1638? This is the first anyone, including Google, has ever seen this. Does anyone know where this model number came from?

The iP6s tech spec page still lists the models as A1633/34 and A1688/87. Why is model A1688 not listed on Apple's LTE page? Was model A1688 renamed to A1638 for some reason? Can anyone help make sense of these discrepancies?
 
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milaround said:
This is rather curious. It is listing the models as:

iPhone 6s
Model A1633

iPhone 6s Plus
Model A1634​

This is obviously for use with AT&T, but then it lists:

iPhone 6s
Model A1638 (GSM)
Model A1638 (CDMA)

iPhone 6s Plus
Model A1687 (GSM)
Model A1687 (CDMA)
​
What on earth is model A1638? This is the first anyone, including Google, has ever seen this. Does anyone know where this model number came from?

The iP6s tech spec page still lists the models as A1633/34 and A1688/87. Why is model A1688 not listed on Apple's LTE page? Was model A1688 renamed to A1638 for some reason? Can anyone help make sense of these discrepancies?
Click to expand...

12:01am typo lol

Also note LTE Carrier Aggregation supported (at least for the US):

2+2/4/5/12/13/17/29
4+2/4/5/7/12/13/17/29
5+2/4
7+4/7
12+2/4/30
13+2/4
17+2/4
25+25
30+12
41+41

source
 
milaround said:
This is rather curious. It is listing the models as:

iPhone 6s
Model A1633

iPhone 6s Plus
Model A1634​

This is obviously for use with AT&T, but then it lists:

iPhone 6s
Model A1638 (GSM)
Model A1638 (CDMA)

iPhone 6s Plus
Model A1687 (GSM)
Model A1687 (CDMA)
​
What on earth is model A1638? This is the first anyone, including Google, has ever seen this. Does anyone know where this model number came from?

The iP6s tech spec page still lists the models as A1633/34 and A1688/87. Why is model A1688 not listed on Apple's LTE page? Was model A1688 renamed to A1638 for some reason? Can anyone help make sense of these discrepancies?
Click to expand...

has to be a misprint/typo id say...looks like china has thier own models as well
 
Billymac19 said:
has to be a misprint/typo id say...
Click to expand...
I am inclined to agree. It seems someone at Apple has fat fingers and meant to type A1688. That would fit our current understanding so far of the model numbers.

So now it seems that there are actually ten different models of the iP6s (Plus):
Edit: This is likely just a labeling difference, with "GSM" and "CDMA" versions of the same model number being the exact same device.​
  1. iPhone 6s (AT&T)
    Model A1633

  2. iPhone 6s Plus (AT&T)
    Model A1634

  3. iPhone 6s (T-Mobile)
    Model A1688 (GSM)

  4. iPhone 6s (Verizon/Sprint)
    Model A1688 (CDMA)

  5. iPhone 6s Plus (T-Mobile)
    Model A1687 (GSM)

  6. iPhone 6s Plus (Verizon/Sprint)
    Model A1687 (CDMA)

  7. iPhone 6s (China)
    Model A1700 (GSM)

  8. iPhone 6s (China)
    Model A1700 (CDMA)

  9. iPhone 6s Plus (China)
    Model A1699 (GSM)

  10. iPhone 6s Plus (China)
    Model A1699 (CDMA)
The question is, what are the actual hardware and functional differences between these models? Is it possible the (GSM)/(CDMA) labeling is a misnomer, done for the purpose of carrier distinction, and are actually both functionally the same? That would fit the iP6s tech specs and FCC docs. Any thoughts on this?
 
Last edited:
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milaround said:
The question is, what are the actual hardware and functional differences between these models? Is it possible the (GSM)/(CDMA) labeling is a misnomer, done for the purpose of carrier distinction, and actually both functionally the same? That would fit the iP6s tech specs and FCC docs. Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
This is likely the case. The same GSM/CDMA labeling was used for the iPhone 6, but in reality they all had CDMA enabled.

I also suspect the AT&T version has CDMA enabled based on the FCC docs, but I guess we can't say for sure. What's also interesting is that the A1633 and A1634 models are US-exclusive. If that does end up having the CDMA bands, it will be the "best" one, and hopefully highest resale
 
terraphantm said:
This is likely the case. The same GSM/CDMA labeling was used for the iPhone 6, but in reality they all had CDMA enabled.
Click to expand...

So if we simplify the models down to what they likely are and exclude China:
  • AT&T uses A1633/34
  • Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile use A1687/88
Then, as you mentioned, the only remaining question is if A1633/34 is CDMA capable or not.
  • If A1633/34 is CDMA capable, then the AT&T phone is the "best" phone.
  • If A1633/34 is not CDMA capable, then there is a trade-off between choosing A1687/88 with CDMA and no band 30, and choosing A1633/34 with band 30 but no CDMA.
What do you think? Am I missing anything?
 
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milaround said:
I am inclined to agree. It seems someone at Apple has fat fingers and meant to type A1688. That would fit our current understanding so far of the model numbers.

So now it seems that there are actually ten different models of the iP6s (Plus):
Edit: This is likely just a labeling difference, with "GSM" and "CDMA" versions of the same model number being the exact same device.
​
The question is, what are the actual hardware and functional differences between these models? Is it possible the (GSM)/(CDMA) labeling is a misnomer, done for the purpose of carrier distinction, and are actually both functionally the same? That would fit the iP6s tech specs and FCC docs. Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

These models are only different for operational logistics and marketing reasons. There is one PCB one with B30 filters and one without. Next year should be the true one iPhone model :)

milaround said:
So if we simplify the models down to what they likely are and exclude China:
  • AT&T uses A1633/34
  • Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile use A1687/88
Then, as you mentioned, the only remaining question is if A1633/34 is CDMA capable or not.
  • If A1633/34 is CDMA capable, then the AT&T phone is the "best" phone.
  • If A1633/34 is not CDMA capable, then there is a trade-off between choosing A1687/88 with CDMA and no band 30, and choosing A1633/34 with band 30 but no CDMA.
What do you think? Am I missing anything?
Click to expand...

As I posted the FCC specs earlier, all iPhones are CDMA capable. The issue is still whitelisting. Given only AT&T uses LTE Band 30 I would say it's only the best model if you ever plan to go on Death Star.
 
milaround said:
So if we simplify the models down to what they likely are and exclude China:
  • AT&T uses A1633/34
  • Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile use A1687/88
Then, as you mentioned, the only remaining question is if A1633/34 is CDMA capable or not.
  • If A1633/34 is CDMA capable, then the AT&T phone is the "best" phone.
  • If A1633/34 is not CDMA capable, then there is a trade-off between choosing A1687/88 with CDMA and no band 30, and choosing A1633/34 with band 30 but no CDMA.
What do you think? Am I missing anything?
Click to expand...
Given that the FCC pressured the carriers to unlock phones and offer interoperability, it would be very unusual for Apple not to actually provide CDMA capabilities on the AT&T version regardless of what is disclosed on the tech specs on Apple's website.
 
atomic50 said:
As I posted the FCC specs earlier, all iPhones are CDMA capable. The issue is still whitelisting. Given only AT&T uses LTE Band 30 I would say it's only the best model if you ever plan to go on Death Star.
Click to expand...

Verizon has said they will start whitelisting compatible phones from other carriers. White listed or not, the phones with an active CDMA radio have worked since last year regardless.
 
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