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 Apple’s 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 you’re a United States-based customer buying from a carrier, the best way to make sure which iPhone 7 you’re 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

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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.