iPhone 7 Models From AT&T and T-Mobile Do Not Support CDMA Networks

[MacRumors]

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.

Article Link: iPhone 7 Models From AT&T and T-Mobile Do Not Support CDMA Networks

 

[garirry]

CDMA should no longer exist. It's literally one of the oldest technologies ever, yet companies like Verizon still use them? So goddamn evil.

 

[randymac09]

Thanks, Macrumors! I was curious which phone to get because I'm going to be switching from Verizon to AT&T after I receive this phone. I appreciate the info.

 

[RedOrchestra]

Glad we don't have this "trickery" in Canada - here, one size fits all.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Well interesting. I wonder if Apple will sell me a Verizon phone for AT&T via IUP.

 

[davenlm]

Does anyone knows if the ATT or T-mobile will be unlocked? if you use it in another carrier from other country or something like that?

 

[MacBird]

Will the unlocked phones that Apple sells through the annual upgrade program support both standards?

 

[BrightCanon]

Will the unlocked phones that Apple sells through the annual upgrade program support both standards?

thats what Im wondering

 

[DotCom2]

I'm just gonna go ahead and get the ATT model and using the 12 month trade in program, I'll just trade it in then. No problem!

 

[Mlrollin91]

Will the unlocked phones that Apple sells through the annual upgrade program support both standards?

The phone you get for the IUP is for the carrier you are currently on. I am on AT&T, but Im wondering if they will sell me the Verizon one. If you can make a case for needed CDMA that is.

 

[ssl0408]

This is such crap. Just release one damn phone for all the carriers and stop going back and forth on it.

 

[S.B.G]

Weren't VZW and/or Sprint working on converting their networks over to GSM? I thought I remember something like that once before.

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

Literally just went through this while switching to Verizon 3 hours ago. Although, my wife's AT&T (yes it's capitalized, because that's how it was in the 80s and still should be) iPhone 6s wouldn't register on the Verizon network, contrary to what this article says.

 

[KdParker]

This definately blows if you want to move carriers and not upgrade all your phones.

 

[1paine1]

CDMA should no longer exist. It's literally one of the oldest technologies ever, yet companies like Verizon still use them? So goddamn evil.

CDMA is the reason you have good coverage in rural areas and inside buildings. Old yes, outdated only in Europe! WTF Apple?

 

[Return Zero]

I wonder if this affects battery life at all. After that TSMC/Samsung debacle, I'm sure there will be lots of people out there doing unscientific tests and claiming that the intel modem is more efficient, giving the GSM-only models a few more minutes of usage.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Why are these carrier-locked in the first place? There are no longer subsidies that require this. Is it simply the SIM?

If I do purchase a phone locked to my currrent carrier, can I take my SIM out of my iPhone 6 and insert it into my iPhone 7 without notifying the carrier?

 

[carltabet]

Does anyone knows if the ATT or T-mobile will be unlocked? if you use it in another carrier from other country or something like that?

It's usually the T-mobile model that is Unlocked and works with international carriers.

It comes with a T-mobile SIM but you can just throw it away.

My iPhone 6s T-mobile works fine in Lebanon with a local SIM.

 

[lamanzana]

Agreed, the obvious choice should be the Verizon or Sprint model so it could be used in any CDMA/GSM network, IF those Verizon or Sprint models are unlocked. Do you know if those come unlocked? i.e. I buy the Verizon or Sprint model and right away in put my T-Mobile chip, will it work?

 

[snowboarder]

Can anyone explain if I can take either model to Europe and use it?
I was planning to get a T-Mobile unlocked model and use it in Europe, some one told me Verizon and Sprint
might not have a SIM at all... and they are not unlocked.

 

[WiseAJ]

Well that seems like a step backwards, they should have just not used Intel yet.

They need to just release one model that has everything for all regions. No more of this carrier/region specific capabilities or features. Just one phone to rule them all.

 

[lamanzana]

It's usually the T-mobile model that is Unlocked and works with international carriers.

It comes with a T-mobile SIM but you can just throw it away.

My iPhone 6s T-mobile works fine in Lebanon with a local SIM.

In the Apple page says it is Unlocked, but comes with a T-Mobile chip. It shows that in the details shown in the phone once you select T-Mobile, during the purchase (pre-order for now) steps.

 

[runbuh]

If you get the Verizon model, does it support the "450Mbit LTE" being promoted with the iPhone 7?

 

[twocents]

Beyond the Intel switch, Would love to see the day that Apple comes out with an unremovable and un-lockable Apple SIM for iPhone. Carriers are driving me nuts and this would show them their place

 

[doboy]

This is good to know, but then again I always buy Verizon iPhones and use it on T-Mo.