Verizon iPhone Carries World-Mode 'Gobi' Chip From Qualcomm [Updated]
Repair firm iFixyouri has started taking apart the Verizon iPhone and 9 to 5 Mac notes that the device carries a Qualcomm "Gobi" MDM6600 wireless chip inside it, technically offering "world-mode" compatibility with both CDMA and GSM networks. iFixit is also performing one of its usual high-quality teardowns of the Verizon iPhone and has seen the same chip.
The MDM6600 supports HSPA+ data rates of up to 14.4 Mbps, as well as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A/Rev. B. Apple of course has not included a SIM-card slot in the Verizon iPhone, and thus the device can not actually be used on GSM networks.
The use of the dual-mode chip in the Verizon iPhone does, however, increase the likelihood that Apple will use a similar solution in the fifth-generation iPhone and could thus offer a single model supporting both GSM and CDMA networks.
Update: iFixit's Kyle Wiens speculates that keeping separate CDMA and GSM devices for the time being may have made it easier for Apple when it comes to antenna design given the number of frequencies involved across the standards. The Motorola Droid Pro currently uses the same Qualcomm chip to offer both CDMA and GSM compatibility.
iFixit also notes that the vibrator on the Verizon iPhone has been redesigned and moved, yielding a "quieter, softer feel" with a less-jarring noise when the device is lying on a table.
The MDM6600 supports HSPA+ data rates of up to 14.4 Mbps, as well as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A/Rev. B. Apple of course has not included a SIM-card slot in the Verizon iPhone, and thus the device can not actually be used on GSM networks.
The use of the dual-mode chip in the Verizon iPhone does, however, increase the likelihood that Apple will use a similar solution in the fifth-generation iPhone and could thus offer a single model supporting both GSM and CDMA networks.
Update: iFixit's Kyle Wiens speculates that keeping separate CDMA and GSM devices for the time being may have made it easier for Apple when it comes to antenna design given the number of frequencies involved across the standards. The Motorola Droid Pro currently uses the same Qualcomm chip to offer both CDMA and GSM compatibility.
iFixit also notes that the vibrator on the Verizon iPhone has been redesigned and moved, yielding a "quieter, softer feel" with a less-jarring noise when the device is lying on a table.
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17 months ago
Good my contract is over but I dont know which carrier to choose yet. I have 3-4 bars outside my house area but 1-2 bars inside.
From what i seen, the cheapest plan is $55 on AT&T without all the taxes, but does anyone know the cheapest plan (w/ 2GB plan) for Verizon?
From what i seen, the cheapest plan is $55 on AT&T without all the taxes, but does anyone know the cheapest plan (w/ 2GB plan) for Verizon?
17 months ago
Which makes me wonder, why not put a sim slot in it? :(
You just might in the iPhone 5. I don't know if it's technically feasible or not, but a single iPhone that can switch between GSM and non-GSM networks by simply popping out the SIM would be pretty neat.
17 months ago
Which makes me wonder, why not put a sim slot in it? :(
Maybe building an antenna structure that supported dual GSM and CDMA, along with the necessary internal rearrangements, was more modification than Apple was willing to make with the 4. This is pretty good evidence though that the iPhone 5 will support both. Maybe iPad 2 as well.
17 months ago
If only....
Use Verizon CDMA for voice only plan.
Get a cheap ATT data plan, too.
... Or, I could just wait for Verizon LTE to take foot.
Use Verizon CDMA for voice only plan.
Get a cheap ATT data plan, too.
... Or, I could just wait for Verizon LTE to take foot.
17 months ago
It's a fairly safe bet now that the iPhone 5 will support GSM and CDMA. Apple doesn't want to manufacture two models.
Now that the chipset has been outed, it's just a question of engineering for both the antenna and internal space.
Now that the chipset has been outed, it's just a question of engineering for both the antenna and internal space.
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