Since Apple Store launched its Verizon iPhone, people come to think what is the difference between Verizon and AT&T's iPhone units. Here's what pcmag.com found out after teardown analysis on the unit.:
PCMag.com - The Verizon iPhone is out in the wild, and predictably several sites have posted teardowns of the device. Although it's ostensibly a CDMA version of the iPhone 4, this model of the iPhone actually has more than a few relevant differences from the AT&T version, according to reports by iSuppli, iFixyouri and iFixit. Our dissection of the news:
1. World-Mode CDMA/GSM Chip
The guts of the Verizon iPhone obviously contain a chip that can access Verizon's CDMA-based network. As PCMag reported yesterday, what was unexpected is that the chip is capable of accessing GSM networks, too. While there's a difference between having a GSM chip and having a GSM phone, the presence of Qualcomm's MDM6600 baseband processor does suggest the possibility of a phone from Apple that works on both GSM and CDMA networks down the line.
2. Dual-Antenna Design
When the Verizon iPhone was unveiled, observers could plainly tell that the external antenna had been adjusted slightly (there were more notches visible), and Apple's Tim Cook even said that the antenna needed to be optimized for CDMA networks. iSuppli says it suspects this is part of a "dual-antenna design" based on "early indications" (the site hasn't published its full teardown yet). iSuppli analyst Wayne Lam told PCMag that the dual design would be on the receiver side, allowing the phone to receive signals from two different antenna segments to improve reception. Given the antenna issues the iPhone 4 has been criticized for, it's no surprise that Verizon may have taken extra steps to prevent its phone from having a "death grip."
3. New, uh, Vibrator
If you have a Verizon iPhone, not only will you actually be able to make calls, but you'll be alerted about them more pleasantly, if that's possible. According to iFixit, the entire vibration mechanism has been replaced for the Verizon model, utilizing an oscillating vibrator instead of a rotational electric motor and counterweight. The site's tests say the new design has a "quieter, softer feel, and makes a better sound when on a table." I'm sure we're all relieved to hear that.
4. Integrated GPS
iSuppi's "early analysis" says Apple has opted not to include an discrete GPS chip and instead the Verizon iPhone relies on the Qualcomm MDM6600 for its GPS abilities. Although performance is likely similar if not identical, it's probably a cost-cutting move, says Ma, since by having a single component do the work of many, Apple simplifies design and needs fewer parts.
5. Lighter Battery
Though the Verizon iPhone's battery looks nearly identical to AT&T model's, iFixit says it has a different model number and shaves off 1.3 grams, or about one-twentieth of an ounce. So you're not going to lighten your pocket much by switching, but in the game of mobile electronics, there's no such thing as a negligible reduction in weight.
By Peter Pachal
