If you travel frequently or would like to make an informed choice, you must know the difference between iPhone 7 models. Being loyal to their tradition, Apple like all the past years has launched different models for their iPhone 7 mobiles supporting different carriers in different countries. So, you must educate yourself about the differences between iPhone 7 models before buying the new iPhone 7.
The differences between different iPhone 7 models are not superficial but are due to difference in hardware. All the models feature the cutting edge A10 Fusion Chip, longer battery life, similar storage options, removal of headphone jack, water resistance, and the new Home Button with haptic sensor. The color options are also the same across all the different models on iPhone 7.
But, we want to bring your attention to the difference between iPhone 7 models based on different carriers in different regions and countries. We recommend that you read through these differences thoroughly before hitting the stores or ordering them online.
Different iPhone 7 Models: A1660, A1778, and A1779
The different model numbers available for iPhone 7 at the moment are: A1660, A1778, and A1779. These models can be divided into two broad categories: the GSM/WCDMA/LTE with Intel modem version and the GSM/CDMA/WCDMA/TD-SCDMA/LTE version with Qualcomm hardware. Not only does this difference between iPhone 7 models affect the support from different carriers, it also ties up with performance differences among different iPhone 7 models.
The difference between iPhone 7 models is because Apple has to use modem chips from two different manufacturers: Intel and Qualcomm. There is a significant difference between the Intel and Qualcomm models. The iPhone 7 model A1660 features Qualcomm modem chips and shows significantly better performance as compared to iPhone model A1778 that has Intel modem chips. The G4 network performance for A1778 has also been found 30-75% worse as compared to A1660.
The difference between iPhone 7 models in terms of performance is quite significant. You must be wondering why Apple chose different structure models for different regions. Why did Apple not use the same model across all the regions especially when one model surely shows an edge in performance over the other?
Reasons Behind Different iPhone 7 Models
Apple has launched different iPhone 7 models because of the fact that different carriers support different modems. The performance of Intel and Qualcomm modems come into question with all the network carriers. While one carrier has better performance with one modem, the other carrier is more agile with the other. Therefore, Apple had to build two separate models and then some to make them work perfectly for a certain carrier in a certain region.
You can check the model number of your iPhone 7 by looking at the box or at the back on your iPhone. Let’s look at how these differences in models result in overall cellular performance for different iPhone 7 models A1660, A1778, and A1779.
Difference iPhone 7 Models Performances / Compatibility
There is significant different between iPhone 7 model performance between A1660 and A1778.
IPhone 7 model A1660 equipped with Qualcomm’s MDM9645M modem is compatible with Verizon, Sprint, and SIM-free models. It is generally considered the global model with ability to support both GSM and CDMA. iPhone 7 model A1778/A1779 are both equipped with Intel modem and have undoubtedly low performance but for most users, it will not be significantly bothersome.
LTE throughput difference between iPhone 7 models
Let’s look at the LTE throughput for both the models to compare the difference between iPhone 7 models powered with Intel and Qualcomm. There was no remarkable difference between both iPhone 7 models as they achieved maximum sustained data throughput at cell center. However, once the power levels were reduced and the edge of cell scenarios were stimulated, the throughput for Intel version dropped significantly.
Both the models were tested with Band 12 (10 MHz) which is a low frequency band and is needed for using LTE inside building. The other two LTE bands tested with iPhone 7 models were Band 4 (20MHz) and Band 7 (20MHz).
Difference between iPhone 7 models: A1660, A1778, and A1779
iPhone 7 model A1660
This iPhone 7 model is considered the global variant as it supports both GSM and CDMA networks and is available on Sprint and Verizon. When you buy the SIM-free version you get this model of iPhone 7. The model is available in the United States, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong and China.
Cellular Network bands for iPhone 7 A1660:
- FDD-LTE bands 1 (2100 MHz), 2 (1900 MHz), 3 (1800 MHz), 4 (AWS), 5 (850 MHz), 7 (2600 MHz), 8 (900 MHz), 12 (700 a MHz), 13 (700c MHz), 17 (700b MHz), 18 (800 MHz), 19 (800 MHz), 20 (800 DD), 25 (1900 MHz), 26 (800 MHz), 27 (800 SMR), 28 (700 APT MHz), 29 (700 de MHz), 30 (2300 WCS)
- TD-LTE bands 38 (TD 2600 MHz), 39 (TD 1900 MHz), 40 (TD 2300 MHz), 41 (TD 2500 MHz)
- TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Part numbers of the model:
Verizon
- iPhone 7 128GB Jet Black MN8Q2LL/A or MNAP2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Jet Black MN8W2LL/A or MNAX2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Gold MN8J2LL/A or MNAE2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Gold MN8N2LL/A or MNAL2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Gold MN8U2LL/A or MNAV2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Rose Gold MN8K2LL/A or MNAF2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Rose Gold MN8P2LL/A or MNAM2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Rose Gold MN8V2LL/A or MNAW2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Silver MN8H2LL/A or MNAD2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Silver MN8M2LL/A or MNAK2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Silver MN8T2LL/A or MNAU2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Black MN8G2LL/A or MNAC2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Black MN8L2LL/A or MNAJ2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Black MN8R2LL/A or MNAQ2LL/A
Sprint
- iPhone 7 128GB Jet Black MN8Q2LL/A or MNC72LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Jet Black MN8W2LL/A or MNCD2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Gold MN8J2LL/A or MNC12LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Gold MN8N2LL/A or MNC52LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Gold MN8U2LL/A or MNCA2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Rose Gold MN8K2LL/A or MNC22LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Rose Gold MN8P2LL/A or MNC62LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Rose Gold MN8V2LL/A or MNCC2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Silver MN8H2LL/A or MNC02LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Silver MN8M2LL/A or MNC42LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Silver MN8T2LL/A or MNC92LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Black MN8G2LL/A or MNAY2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Black MN8L2LL/A or MNC32LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Black MN8R2LL/A or MNC82LL/A
AT&T
- iPhone 7 128GB Jet Black MN8Q2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Jet Black MN8W2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Silver MN8H2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Silver MN8M2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Silver MN8T2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Gold MN8J2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Gold MN8N2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Gold MN8U2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Rose Gold MN8K2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Rose Gold MN8P2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Rose Gold MN8V2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Black MN8G2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Black MN8L2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Black MN8R2LL/A
iPhone 7 model A1778
The cellular connectivity for iPhone A1778 is similar to A1660 but it doesn’t support TD-SCDMA and CDMA EV-DO Rev. A bands. If you use CDMA networks like Sprint or Verizon, iPhone model A1778 won’t work properly. You can still make calls using VoLTE. You can buy this model from T-Mobile and AT&T in US. You can buy iPhone 7 model A1778 from European and Asian countries like the UK, France, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Singapore, and Australia.
Cellular Network bands for iPhone 7 A1660:
- LTE bands 1 (2100 MHz), 2 (1900 MHz), 3 (1800 MHz), 4 (AWS), 5 (850 MHz), 7 (2600 MHz), 8 (900 MHz), 12 (700 a MHz), 13 (700c MHz), 17 (700b MHz), 18 (800 MHz), 19 (800 MHz), 20 (800 DD), 25 (1900 MHz), 26 (800 MHz), 27 (800 SMR), 28 (700 APT MHz), 29 (700 de MHz), 30 (2300 WCS)
- TD-LTE bands 38 (TD 2600 MHz), 39 (TD 1900 MHz), 40 (TD 2300 MHz), 41 (TD 2500 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Part numbers of the model:
AT&T
- iPhone 7 128GB Jet Black MN9M2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Jet Black MN9T2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Silver MN9E2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Silver MN9J2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Silver MN9P2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Gold MN9F2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Gold MN9K2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Gold MN9Q2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Rose Gold MN9G2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Rose Gold MN9L2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Rose Gold MN9R2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Black MN9D2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Black MN9H2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Black MN9N2LL/A
T-Mobile/Unlocked/Contract-free
- iPhone 7 128GB Jet Black MNA52LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Jet Black MNAA2LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Silver MN9V2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Silver MNA02LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Silver MNA72LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Gold MN9W2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Gold MNA32LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Gold MNA82LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Rose Gold MN9X2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Rose Gold MNA42LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Rose Gold MNA92LL/A
- iPhone 7 32GB Black MN9U2LL/A
- iPhone 7 128GB Black MN9Y2LL/A
- iPhone 7 256GB Black MNA62LL/A
iPhone 7 model A1779
iPhone 7 model A1779 is especially released for the Japanese market. The differentiating feature is that those in Japan can use Apple Pay due to the addition of FeliCa Type-F NFC contactless technology. IPhone 7 model A1779 is available through carriers like AU, Docomo, and Softbank. Another difference in other iPhone 7 models and A1779 is that it covers some more LTE bands to support AU by KDDI and Softbank that use band 11 and Docomo that uses band 21.
Cellular Network bands for iPhone 7 A1779:
- FDD-LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
- TD-LTE bands 38 (TD 2600 MHz), 39 (TD 1900 MHz), 40 (TD 2300 MHz), 41 (TD 2500 MHz)
- TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Conclusion
As the results of tests show, the difference between iPhone 7 models is a measurable one in terms of performance. iPhone 7 model with Qualcomm-powered modem has an edge over the Intel version.
The difference between iPhone 7 models is quite significant during controlled tests. While Qualcomm model i.e. A1660 is available for sale in US, China and Japan, it seems Apple has found in its real world usage tests that the Intel version works just fine for other regions.
Having said that, if you’re in the region where Qualcomm iPhone 7 model A1660 is available, you should opt for Verizon/Sprint/SIM-free version. This iPhone 7 model is not only a global variant that works with most cellular carriers both within and outside US but also has a performance edge.
The differences between iPhone 7 models are not significant enough but you must know the right iPhone for the right territory. We hope that our guide about difference between iPhone 7 models will enable you to choose the right iPhone for you.
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