iPhone 7

[Kazukian]

These clowns have separated GSM and CDMA versions. In years past the way to get an unlocked non contract phone was to buy the T-Mobile version. This year that will not be possible.

Also I can't just order an unlocked full price Verizon model because they are stupid beyond belief. They require carrier log in data which obviously will not pull up for prepaid.

Why do they constantly run this crap through the carrier? I'm not using their damn credit. What should be a simple here's my $850 send me my phone is a joke of a run around.

I think either I'm just not getting it because iOS 10 on the 6s is pretty good, or I think it's finally to move on. To a galaxy edge 7 or something.

I heard the GSM models are using an intel radio-the reason for 2 models.

Is your prepaid # not pulling up through Apple's website?

Just placed an order for a 3rd phone, they changed the process quite a bit. Tmobile's website is hosed, LOL

 

[sxr7171]

You can't get an off contract phone from Apple in the US at all? Still?

The 7 Plus I ordered in Canada is factory unlocked non-contact, from Apple. I assume my iPhone will be GSM only, and no CDMA, but correct me if I'm wrong. CDMA here is legacy only, so it's effectively irrelevant. The previous CDMA-based carriers switched away from that.

No you can't. In fact I can't even order from Verizon because that page errors out. Can't order from Best Buy because it too requires carrier information such as last 4 of SS number and even your billing password.

So in the US CDMA is still used by Sprint and Verizon. I'd have no problem switching as I'm prepaid and can switch on a dime. But one area I need coverage only Verizon works. Verizon has not fully implemented VoLTE on its network and in any case will not switch it on for prepaid for another month. Even still intercarrier operability issues with VoLTE are not expected to be solved for another year. So relying on VoLTE is a no go in the US.

The Verizon model is the one to get as it is:

1. Unlocked (unlike the sprint version)
2. Has all LTE bands plus full CDMA support

The US is pretty backwards in cellular, well not really they implemented cellular early so they used an earlier outdated technology and never got around to fully switching to GSM/LTE.

 

[Eug]

Bell and Telus (and their daughter companies) adopted CDMA fairly early, but then later on the saw the light and switched away from CDMA to keep up with the rest of the world.

Rogers (and their now wholly owned daughter company Fido) have always been GSM right from the beginning of the CDMA/GSM war. I got my first GSM phone here way back in the 1990s.

I had a ClearNET CDMA phone briefly before that, but their network was horrible so I switched to Fido GSM.

 

[sxr7171]

I heard the GSM models are using an intel radio-the reason for 2 models.

Is your prepaid # not pulling up through Apple's website?

Just placed an order for a 3rd phone, they changed the process quite a bit. Tmobile's website is hosed, LOL

I don't know because the bands are exactly the same on both models only one includes CDMA.

Last year both had CDMA but some different bands as far as I remember.

 

[sxr7171]

Bell and Telus (and their daughter companies) adopted CDMA fairly early, but then later on the saw the light and switched away from CDMA to keep up with the rest of the world.

Rogers (and their now wholly owned daughter company Fido) have always been GSM right from the beginning of the CDMA/GSM war. I got my first GSM phone here way back in the 1990s.

I had a ClearNET CDMA phone briefly before that, but their network was horrible so I switched to Fido GSM.

Here Verizon was first and didn't switch over until LTE technology was introduced. They are arguably the best network in the US still. With only ATT as a possible competitor. If you have any business outside major cities they are the only game. Within the cities I'd say they are all more or less the same. I've used all carriers except sprint. And what I hear about sprint is never anything good.

 

[Kazukian]

I Think Intel is new to the radio chipset business, dunno why they don't have the CDMA bands, licensing, I suspect. I'd be willing to bet they're actually on the chipset, but disabled through software.

My T-Mobile orders were nuked when their system crashed, i got pissed and got ahold of the Twitter help people, they're escalating me to the executive CSR team, LOL. Sometimes having 10K+ followers on Twitter helps.

 

[Soccerman06]

Does anyone know of a list of what Verizon give for trade in?

 

[Spicedaddy]

Bell and Telus (and their daughter companies) adopted CDMA fairly early, but then later on the saw the light and switched away from CDMA to keep up with the rest of the world.

Rogers (and their now wholly owned daughter company Fido) have always been GSM right from the beginning of the CDMA/GSM war. I got my first GSM phone here way back in the 1990s.

I had a ClearNET CDMA phone briefly before that, but their network was horrible so I switched to Fido GSM.

I signed with Rogers GSM shortly after they launched the network in 2002 (got a Siemens S40), and coverage was awful compared to the TDMA network, but phones were cooler. The network got a lot better when they bought Fido, especially around Montreal.

So I've been with them for 14 years! I'm currently shopping around for the best BYOD plan, and I'll probably switch to Fido's 8GB 65$ plan (Quebec...).

 

[Eug]

Fido GSM in Montreal was quite decent, but I lived in Toronto. However, Fido GSM in downtown Toronto was also quite decent, which was fortunate for me since I lived downtown. A guy named Steve kept a website tracking all the towers and it was remarkable just how much denser Fido's tower network was than ClearNET's, which partially explained why ClearNET's network sucked so bad.

Ironically initially Rogers wasn't so great, but they got better quickly. Outside of the GTA though, Fido was useless. You'd have to fall back to Rogers or else Bell to get any service, much of which was still analogue (hence my purchase of the Nokia 6190, which also supported analogue).

I hadn't realized that Verizon was so slow in converting.

Anyhoo, for the others, the whole issue of CDMA coverage and compatibility never comes up anymore in Canada. It's a non-issue here, both in the cities, and outside the city. In fact, I only recently learned that the CDMA network was still working. I had thought they had killed it ages ago, but they are keeping it for legacy reasons for at least a little while longer. But what this means is that it doesn't come up when we are buying these phones on Apple's site.

I am currently on Fido's old grandfathered CAD$56 plan (which provides subsidies only for Android phones) with 2 GB RAM and unlimited Canada-wide voice/text, and got them to add in a 2 GB bonus for a year (total 4 GB), starting today, just in time for my iPhone 7 Plus arrival next week. This is in Ontario. The plans in Quebec are always better, presumably because of Videotron.

 

[ControlD]

I hadn't realized that Verizon was so slow in converting.

Verizon has absolutely zero financial incentive to convert their network from CDMA to GSM. They are big enough to have companies like Apple and Samsung making Verizon specific phones unlike some of the smaller Candian carriers that made the switch over to GSM some time ago.

As it is now, there is no reason to spend money switching 3G networks rather than concentrating on building up 4G.

 

[sxr7171]

Does anyone know of a list of what Verizon give for trade in?

Use nextworth for VZW phones they pay the best. They offered $380 for my 64GB.

 

[sxr7171]

Verizon has absolutely zero financial incentive to convert their network from CDMA to GSM. They are big enough to have companies like Apple and Samsung making Verizon specific phones unlike some of the smaller Candian carriers that made the switch over to GSM some time ago.

As it is now, there is no reason to spend money switching 3G networks rather than concentrating on building up 4G.

They do at this point. But it's very hard and expensive to convert everyone everywhere. They are doing it with VoLTE. And there's still Sprint which literally does not have the funds to do anything. So yeah CDMA phones will keep being made for a few more years yet.

The benefit of going VoLTE is that it's a more efficient aircarrier.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Here Verizon was first and didn't switch over until LTE technology was introduced. They are arguably the best network in the US still. With only ATT as a possible competitor. If you have any business outside major cities they are the only game. Within the cities I'd say they are all more or less the same. I've used all carriers except sprint. And what I hear about sprint is never anything good.

I suspect that statement is somewhat geographically limited. Here in Texas, AT&T is tops in coverage outside of the major cities. Verizon is a close second. But I've gotten ATT signal where Verizon friends had nothing. The current AT&T started out as Cingular / part of Southwestern Bell (Texas based). Verizon got its start in the Northeast. I would imagine their cell tower coverage is much more complete in their original "home" areas. I work in Telecom, and the fiber optic situation is interesting. AT&T has fiber criscrossing Texas like you wouldn't believe, while Verizon has to buy fiber to connect their towers from third parties, even in decent-sized cities.

 

[ControlD]

They do at this point. But it's very hard and expensive to convert everyone everywhere. They are doing it with VoLTE. And there's still Sprint which literally does not have the funds to do anything. So yeah CDMA phones will keep being made for a few more years yet.

The benefit of going VoLTE is that it's a more efficient aircarrier.

Yep, I agree with this.

My thought was that once everything is pretty much switched over to LTE the legacy Verizon CDMA networks can start to be dismantled. That would make switching the 3G networks over an unnecessary expense. I'm sure there is something I am missing in between there though.

 

[Aikouka]

I've been looking on Verizon this morning and pretty much all iPhone 7 models except Jet Black still say they will be delivered 9/16.

Looks like the base iPhone 7 has better availability than the iPhone 7 plus. I ordered my plus about an hour after they went available, and I don't think a single option (through Verizon) was available on 9/16. If I look a the base 7 right now, I do see that there are a few options that are available for delivery next week.

I wouldn't be too surprised if the dual camera or screen are why the plus is a bit more scarce.

 

[Kazukian]

T-Mobile promises they fixed my orders, what a time suck...

Getting 2 7S's, and a 7. All 32GB, I have unlimited data and lots of cloud storage, had been getting along fine with 16GB with some careful pruning of apps I never really used...

They covered my plan for a month for my troubles, and promised to get me phones on the 16th, we shall see.

 

[Eug]

Verizon has absolutely zero financial incentive to convert their network from CDMA to GSM. They are big enough to have companies like Apple and Samsung making Verizon specific phones unlike some of the smaller Candian carriers that made the switch over to GSM some time ago.

As it is now, there is no reason to spend money switching 3G networks rather than concentrating on building up 4G.

I wasn't really talking about converting to GSM at this point. More to LTE, etc.

But yeah, if Apple will cater to them, I can see why they wouldn't care so much.

 

[sxr7171]

I suspect that statement is somewhat geographically limited. Here in Texas, AT&T is tops in coverage outside of the major cities. Verizon is a close second. But I've gotten ATT signal where Verizon friends had nothing. The current AT&T started out as Cingular / part of Southwestern Bell (Texas based). Verizon got its start in the Northeast. I would imagine their cell tower coverage is much more complete in their original "home" areas. I work in Telecom, and the fiber optic situation is interesting. AT&T has fiber criscrossing Texas like you wouldn't believe, while Verizon has to buy fiber to connect their towers from third parties, even in decent-sized cities.

You're right. Southwestern bell being from there. And yes the current AT&T has nothing to do with the old AT&T it is defacto Southwestern Bell with a new name. But if you take any other region of the country I think it's generally Verizon territory not just Northeast. But I think northwest, Midwest just not southeast which is also AT&T territory. On a population basis you could argue Verizon has it. For my purposes I switched from AT&T because it has no signal at all where I need it.

 

[sxr7171]

Yep, I agree with this.

My thought was that once everything is pretty much switched over to LTE the legacy Verizon CDMA networks can start to be dismantled. That would make switching the 3G networks over an unnecessary expense. I'm sure there is something I am missing in between there though.

Oh no they are not changing out 3G at all. They have to migrate everyone to LTE period. So VoLTE is a must because until very recently all voice still was on the legacy CDMA network. That's why they still can't do simultaneous data and voice for the most part.

 

[sxr7171]

Looks like the base iPhone 7 has better availability than the iPhone 7 plus. I ordered my plus about an hour after they went available, and I don't think a single option (through Verizon) was available on 9/16. If I look a the base 7 right now, I do see that there are a few options that are available for delivery next week.

I wouldn't be too surprised if the dual camera or screen are why the plus is a bit more scarce.

To say the least. For the past two years people were lining up at Apple stores into January for the Plus. If you want it today is the day to order it.

 

[sxr7171]

I heard the GSM models are using an intel radio-the reason for 2 models.

Is your prepaid # not pulling up through Apple's website?

Just placed an order for a 3rd phone, they changed the process quite a bit. Tmobile's website is hosed, LOL

Wow you're right: https://www.google.com/amp/www.cnet...em-chip-in-iphone-7-reportedly/?client=safari

 

[Kazukian]

Wow you're right: https://www.google.com/amp/www.cnet...em-chip-in-iphone-7-reportedly/?client=safari

LOL, I know a little about phones...

With Intel's problems lately, they decided it was time to actually work on mobile chipsets.

 

[Herr Kutz]

No you can't. In fact I can't even order from Verizon because that page errors out. Can't order from Best Buy because it too requires carrier information such as last 4 of SS number and even your billing password.

So in the US CDMA is still used by Sprint and Verizon. I'd have no problem switching as I'm prepaid and can switch on a dime. But one area I need coverage only Verizon works. Verizon has not fully implemented VoLTE on its network and in any case will not switch it on for prepaid for another month. Even still intercarrier operability issues with VoLTE are not expected to be solved for another year. So relying on VoLTE is a no go in the US.

The Verizon model is the one to get as it is:

1. Unlocked (unlike the sprint version)
2. Has all LTE bands plus full CDMA support

The US is pretty backwards in cellular, well not really they implemented cellular early so they used an earlier outdated technology and never got around to fully switching to GSM/LTE.

You can walk into an Apple store and purchase one off contract. I did exactly that when I purchased a Verizon iPhone 6, and I have never had an account with Verizon or any MVNOs that use their network. It's true you cannot order one online though.

 

[Eug]

7 little odds and ends of news and my musings about the 7:

1) The iPhone 7 Plus camera reportedly has optical image stabilization only for the wide angle lens. It does NOT for the telephoto. If true that's a disappointment. However it goes along with I said before, which is that Apple updates their product lines incrementally. Ming Chi Kuo predicts the telephoto will get OIS in 2017, but also that only the Plus will have dual lens even in 2017, because the component parts cost too much to make it standard, esp. since only a subset of users truly appreciate it. So if you're waiting for dual lens in the regular 4.7" iPhone, you'll be waiting a long time.

2) The shallow focus two-lens portrait mode works only for, well, portraits. It apparently will not work for stuff like product shots because it is dependent upon facial recognition algorithms to recognize human faces.

3) So far I have no info on this but I really hope the iPhone 7 and Plus are finally USB 3, with faster than USB 2 transfer speeds, esp. since the storage tiers have increased in size dramatically. FWIW, the iPad Pro 12.9" hardware does support USB 3, so there is precedence. However, the 9.7" Pro doesn't support this.

4) There have been no comments on Live Photos. I am hoping for increased frame rates for Live Photos but I'm not expecting this as the specs indicate the phones still only use h.264 and not h.265. Thus for the sake of storage space, I think Apple will continue to use the jerky low frame rates for Live Photos.

5) My iPhone is now preparing for shipment. I'm told I'm still likely only going to get it on launch day but fingers crossed. For my iPad Air 2 in 2014, I got it one day before launch day.

6) My buddy says I'm going to hate the Plus because of my small hands. He is a tall guy with big hands and says he still half hates it because he finds it impossible to use one handed. Indeed my previous preferred size was 4" since it is easy to use one-handed. Similarly another guy I know who is my size prefers the 4.7" too. Nonetheless, all three of us bought the Plus for its added features. Apple's method for upselling is working better than expected this iteration, as may be evidenced by Apple's inability to keep up with demand for the 7 Plus. There seems to be a lot more stock available for the 7, to the point where it seems Apple may have overestimated 7 demand and underestimated 7 Plus demand and therefore produced the wrong mix of 7 vs 7 Plus units. Actually, it did even have a greater effect for stimulating sales in one case. My friend who prefers 4.7" phones ended up ordering the Plus as mentioned. But he ALSO ordered the non-Plus. Yes he ordered both for himself and may end up keeping both for use in different situations.

7) I still don't know what version of the iPhone 7 hardware I'm getting. Apple has differing product number standards, and the info associated with those is often incomplete. But my order documentation doesn't even provide a model number at all. BTW, Apple's decision way back to merge the Apple site with the Apple Store sucks. The Apple Store design before as a separate contained site within Apple.com made it much, much easier to navigate when shopping than what we have now. This mirrors the evolution of iTunes. Some Apple stuff is getting bigger and bloated, and is losing the ease of use that so well defined the Apple experience.

You can walk into an Apple store and purchase one off contract. I did exactly that when I purchased a Verizon iPhone 6, and I have never had an account with Verizon or any MVNOs that use their network. It's true you cannot order one online though.

Ah yes, that makes much more sense. I had thought it was possible to buy an unlocked phone in the US, and that confirms it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I've never found the iphone+ hard to use with one hand. With the double tap the home button to drop down the screen feature I can easily hit things at the top of the phone when it drops down for me. Though I don't know what usage someone might be referencing when they say they have a tough time using it in one hand.