iPhone 7 teardown confirms Intel modem in AT&T, T-Mobile models
A pair of teardowns have confirmed speculation that Apple used multiple vendors for cellular modems in the iPhone 7 family, with an Intel-made wireless modem found in a model for AT&T and T-Mobile.

A blog post heralding the disassembly of the iPhone 7 A1778 model by Chipworks and TechInsights notes that the Intel Baseband Processor PMB9943 was discovered. In a previous teardown by iFixit, Qualcomm's MDM9645M LTE Cat. 12 Modem was identified.
It was earlier speculated that Apple's shift to two different carrier variants of the iPhone 7 was because Intel had entered the supply chain, and its latest mobile modem can't handle the older CDMA networks used by carriers like Sprint.
For customers the modem change isn't positive -- the iPhone 6s has a universal modem, allowing it to be unlocked for any U.S. carrier. Apple, however, gains negotiation and supply chain advantages by having multiple suppliers for a component.

A blog post heralding the disassembly of the iPhone 7 A1778 model by Chipworks and TechInsights notes that the Intel Baseband Processor PMB9943 was discovered. In a previous teardown by iFixit, Qualcomm's MDM9645M LTE Cat. 12 Modem was identified.
It was earlier speculated that Apple's shift to two different carrier variants of the iPhone 7 was because Intel had entered the supply chain, and its latest mobile modem can't handle the older CDMA networks used by carriers like Sprint.
For customers the modem change isn't positive -- the iPhone 6s has a universal modem, allowing it to be unlocked for any U.S. carrier. Apple, however, gains negotiation and supply chain advantages by having multiple suppliers for a component.
Comments
- if you plan to change carriers
- if resale value is a top priority
- if tests prove the Qualcomm chip outperforms the Intel chip.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/international-cdma-shutdown-faqs/
As for Sprint, with no roaming partner on CDMA, it will be forced to do the same or lose half it's coverage.
Will the other models work fine on AT&T/T-Mobile?
I've read that:
Considering the above, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop -- surely, Apple has a compelling reason, other than cost, to bifurcate the modems in iPhones.
I suspect that, in typical Apple fashion, they will roll out a new capability under controlled conditions... Currently that means AT&T/US iPhone 7 and 7+.
It will be interesting to see if Intel modems are included in the next (real soon, now) iPads. That would be a much smaller control group and would indicate involvement of Apple's IBM and Cisco partners, and would target enterprise use.
As I understand it, cell coverage in the US is about equal for AT&T and Verizon. If the new capability is compelling enough, it will justify the new iPhone and iPad hardware as well as a carrier change, if necessary.
As to the EU who could, potentially, use the Intel modem and compelling new capability -- No soup for you!
GSM is the world wide standard anyhow. There are a few countries that use CDMA, but making international calls using Verizon overseas service is quite costly. It would be better to get a prepaid local phone.
Unless one desires to switch from AT&T or T-Mobile to Verizon, the whole issue is moot. I really doubt that Intel modem phones are going to sell for much less than QCOM ones in the used market anyhow. I am on AT&T and if I were to switch, it would be to T-Mobile. Verizon's over priced service and Sprint's inferior service wouldn't be considered at all.
Eliminating QCOM from the supply chain is a very good move. This is only the first step in the process. With Intel's business will come access to some of their other advanced technology such as 3D Xpoint memory which QCOM could never offer to Apple. Intel's modems are going to soon seriously outperform QCOM offerings anyhow.
I've been on an iPhone since the initial release and when Cingular which later became AT&T was the exclusive carrier. Used iPhones have always commanded a premium price no matter the network.
my question is this... would you even get that level of bandwidth anyway? Network congestion and cell tower technology would need to match that performance.
To work on a CDMA network they must be provisioned by the provider.
Mmm...
I did some sniffing around and found this:
I'd lay money that the Intel modem will support these new bands -- and the other shoe will drop by early 2017.