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iPhone 7 Models From AT&T and T-Mobile Do Not Support CDMA Networks
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It's interesting that Apple excludes AT&T and T-Mobile from the list of supported carriers for the CDMA version of the 7/7+ even though the CDMA version supports all the LTE bands of AT&T and T-Mobile. They didn't do this for their carrier-supported list for the the LTE version of the 6s/6s+, where the LTE version lists all USA carriers as supported (both LTE and CDMA).
used 6s models value will remain strong for a while. Darn, was hoping to pick one up cheap this xmas
All Verizon phones with LTE are ALWAYS unlocked. It's the safest choice. You may not be able to order online, but go to the Apple Store on launch day and ask for Verizon "Device Only" and you'll get what you want. And yes, it will work straight away just by putting in your T-mobile SIM.
Is the cost-savings of excluding CDMA really great enough to justify the hassle of maintaining yet another manufacturing stream? Hmm. What do I care, as I typically just buy unlocked phones and don't live in the US? Still, it sucks for those people on those networks.
There are many other international carriers use CDMA.
And as long as LTE is not everywhere, you will need 3G technologies to keep you connected.
Some chose GSM while others chose CDMA in the past. You shouldn't blame them for making a decision back then.
Where I work, it's the opposite. I have AT&T and have great reception in my building. People with Verizon have little to no coverage. Just my 2¢
Really, it's asinine that they're still making different iPhone models that each support unique cellular bands. This is 2016, not 2006. You'd think we would be moving toward having one iPhone that works seamlessly across all carriers around the globe by now. They seemed to be moving toward that direction with the 6 and 6s, and now they're going back the other way.
The following image should help, just grabbed it from the Apple online store for a Sprint phone. There's a row which tells which ones are unlocked and which ones are not. Seems it boils down to how you pay for it.
Mine registers just fine. If you did not work with AT&Tingular to have the phone unlocked, then it will not register to any other carrier
https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/wireless/KM1008728
Edited for clarity...
So the article tells you if you're buying outright just go with sprint or Verizon. I'm glad this came out before I ordered
The other question is if there are technical advantages to the intel chip. It would be nice to have, but I won't want the inferior (if so) Qualcomm chip just to use a carrier I don't need. But if there's no technical advantage, I'd rather have the versatility and better resale value.
Yes, they're phasing out CDMA but it's going to take another generation of spectrum rollouts before they have enough GSM coverage to eliminate CDMA, esp for the rural areas of the country.
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How can this make sense for Apple to create one version that works everywhere, and another version that's limited? It's more inventory to track and it will piss off a lot of people who will buy the TMO or ATT version only to later find out that it won't work when they switch to Verizon.
Stupid. Why not release ONE version for the entire world that supports any network + the Japan Felica chip???
I feel like, as a TMO customer who visits Japan occasionally I'm going to be screwed unless I buy the phone outright the next time I'm in Japan (and hopefully the Japanese version is worldwide GSM/CDMA compatible)
Honestly I expect these types of shenanigans from Sony or Samsung, not Apple.
Stupid. Why not release ONE version for the entire world that supports any network + the Japan Felica chip???
I feel like, as a TMO customer who visits Japan occasionally I'm going to be screwed unless I buy the phone outright the next time I'm in Japan (and hopefully the Japanese version is worldwide GSM/CDMA compatible)
Honestly I expect these types of shenanigans from Sony or Samsung, not Apple.
There is no point converting to GSM as it's an outdated tech just like CDMA. As far as Verizon goes, their plan is to finish VoLTE deployment and once it's all over their network, start shutting down CDMA. Obviously, those with CDMA-only dumb phones and pre-VoLTE smartphones will have to upgrade before that happens.
I imagine Intel gave Apple a sweetheart deal to get their foot in the door. It only takes a small savings to add up to hundreds of millions dollars for as many phones as Apple makes for the USA market.
No, it isn't at all. Building penetration is about low frequencies. Please stop talking nonsense.
The funny thing is according to this page on Apple's website, you should buy the Verizon/Sprint version if you're on Cricket Wireless, even though Cricket Uses AT&T's network!
http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
I just went the the online store and selected a Sprint phone, just to find out. It seems you can also get a Sprint unlocked, it all depends on how you pay for it, based on that chart. I published it in another post in this thread. Thanks.
I'd guess it's more about Apple getting competition between 2 vendors for lower modem prices overall. The Intel modem is less capable, but they can just put it in the phones that most people will never use on a CDMA network anyway.
