Two Ways To Make Sure You Don't Buy The Inferior iPhone 7 With An Intel Modem
Source: Forbes.com
Aaron Tilley, Forbes Staff
With the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Intel finally made its way into Apples most important product. Good news for Intel, no doubt, but not for consumers.
Tests of LTE connectivity, released on Thursday by Cellular Insights, show a huge performance gap between the iPhone 7 equipped with an Intel modem and a Qualcomm modem. The difference in performance is a black eye not only for Intel, but also for Apple, which for the past five years had relied on Qualcomm exclusively for its iPhone modem chips. With the iPhone 7, Apple decided to make two versions one with an Intel modem and one with a Qualcomm modem. (Neither Intel nor Apple have commented on the performance gap so far.)
For consumers, the downside of owning an Intel version is significant. The tests revealed that Qualcomm-powered iPhone 7s are able to consistently establish stronger connections to LTE networks than Intel-powered iPhone 7s. Qualcomm modems outran Intel modems by 30% in overall performance, and 75% when the signal was at its weakest.
...
By checking the model number on the back of the iPhone 7, you will be able to tell:
Model A1660 and Model A1661 means they have a Qualcomm modem.
Model A1778 and Model A1784 are equipped with an Intel modem.
If youre a United States-based customer buying from a carrier, the best way to make sure which iPhone 7 youre getting is:
Verizon and Sprint sell the Qualcomm-powered iPhone
AT&T and T-Mobile sell the Intel-equipped iPhone
Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2016/10/21/how-to-buy-iphone-7-intel-qualcomm-modem/#51e252587f5d
Luckily, I got the Verizon unit because it came unlocked and it has both the CDMA and GSM technology.
But, it appears I also got the better Qualcomm modem.
I needed an unlocked unit because I don't have my cell service from the big 4 cell companies.
Thought people should know before they buy.
PJMcK
(22,048 posts)Thanks for this information, aggiesal.
aggiesal
(8,923 posts)livetohike
(22,163 posts)phone. My cell reception is horrible (rural PA) so I don't need added problems .
Auggie
(31,186 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)I will be buying one (an unlocked from an Apple Store) next year.
HurricaneWarning
(220 posts)I just bought one yesterday and was glad that I got the good one.
aggiesal
(8,923 posts)I was in the same boat.
I immediately read the article.
I knew I had purchased a Verizon unit, but I couldn't prove that I
actually received a Verizon unit, until I saw the model numbers on
the back of the phone.
Hope others fared(?) as well.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)When Apple dumps Intel they are finished, because the PC market is dying.
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,077 posts)... AMD man here, haha
LiberalLovinLug
(14,176 posts)I was a little regretful that I didn't wait a month and get the newest version, but now I'm glad.
Dustlawyer
(10,497 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,621 posts)adigal
(7,581 posts)when people just bought the last one. I finally had to give up my trusty iphone 4 because Apple wouldn't update it any more. But it was fine with me.
The ways Americans love to part with their hard-earned monies.