When it comes to LTE speeds, not all iPhone 7 devices are created equal.
A new study found performance differences between the Intel and Qualcomm modems used in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus that can result in a serious dip in data speeds when owners encounter a weak signal.
[contextly_auto_sidebar] The iPhone 7 marks the first time Apple sourced modems from two different suppliers. The folks at CellularInsights decided to run both modems through a series of tests and discovered “unexplainable sharp dips in performance” of throughput on the Intel modem.
Which iPhone 7 modem do I have?
iPhone 7 customers who want to ensure they’re getting the fastest data speeds possible should buy the unlocked iPhone 7 variant, which comes with the Qualcomm MDM9645M modem. Verizon and Sprint models also include Qualcomm’s modem, which supports GSM/CDMA/WCDMA/TD-SCDMA/LTE networks.
AT&T customers are out of luck, though, because Apple chose to use the Intel XMM 7360 modem on those models with support for only GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks.
Intel versus Qualcomm modems in iPhone 7
Photo: CellularInsights
Depending on the situation, the Intel XMM 7360 modem performed as much as 30 percent slower than the Qualcomm MDM9645M modem on LTE bands. The max throughput of both modems was the same when researchers used a strong signal. But as soon as the signal strength weakened, Intel’s modem noticeably lagged behind Qualcomm’s.
CellularInsights also found that the Qualcomm modem is the only one with support for Ultra HD Voice. The feature is turned off, though, perhaps to even the playing field.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
17 responses to “iPhone 7 models with Intel inside suffer from slower LTE speeds ”
Verizon iPhone on Tmobile here https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/be9c86f811a95aae5c5a8b5fd4d3052d524a785941078dedf26708e1f4c6ecd2.png
Verizon iPhone on Tmobile here
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fa175fa6c900e276afe853b29209cff1beed4b13dec3e59ca5489f06437b1df1.png
Why not get the Tmobile branded one?
The Verizon variant with all carriers. The T Mobile and ATT versions only work on a GMA (is that the abbreviation?) network. May effect resale and ability to switch carriers
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Are you 12 ?
How does the intel iPhone 7 plus compare in speed with the AT&T iPhone 6S plus?
That’s lab results, but is there any difference in real world usage? I suspect not.
Why? If a representative sample of each type shows different performance quality, why would the intel modem get better outside of leveled and measured lab conditions?
Because signal strength and available bandwidth vary wildly out in the real world. The differences in performance occur at peak signal on an unloaded network, and are exhibited by differences in peak speed, in this case, 100Mbps vs 66Mbps. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never come close to speeds like that with my iPhone 6s. I suspect, strongly, that when the network gets crowded and the signal degrades, the performance differences disappear.
That may be right at strong signal, but as it weakens the diff would be noticed in the wild
According to other articles, the differences were only seen at peak signal strength.
Then this article is bollocks?
No, this article is not bollocks. It is about a month late as this was all brought to light right after the iPhone 7 released. But there are absolutely real-world situations in which these conditions exist – In fact, that is why the tests were done in this manner. Were it just “lab results” they would just be factoring in full strength signals.
This absolutely could be a pivotal problem for Intel as they have just gotten into the supply chain of the iPhone which can be a lucrative place to be.
Yep.
I’m sure we will ALLLLL notice the difference… :rolleyes: