IHS iSuppli has dissected the CDMA Verizon iPhone. This new iPhone 4 is very similar to the AT&T version but with several key changes to the iPhone's design. IHS Suppli suspects that the changes predict features in the next Apple iPhone 5 later this year.
CDMA technology leader Qualcomm has scored a major design win in the new version, with the Qualcomm MDM6600 baseband processor replacing the Infineon PMB9801 baseband used in the UMTS/GSM version of the iPhone.
The CDMA iPhone 4 features an updated antenna design. The original AT&T iPhone version was heavily criticized for attenuation, which was called the "death grip." While Apple kept the fundamental integrated antenna and enclosure design, provisions were made to improve reception quality. The new CDMA Verizon iPhone employs a dual-antenna design that takes advantage of antenna diversity to improve reception.
The new iPhone 4 includes integrated GPS. Early analysis leads
us to believe that Apple has eliminated the discrete GPS
chip--previously supplied by Broadcom--and, instead, relies on the
integrated GPS functionality of the Qualcomm MDM6600.
IHS iSuppli suggests that the significance of the MDM chipset is that
Apple has, again, chosen a 'slim modem' platform, just as in the UMTS/GSM
(AT&T) version of the iPhone 4. MDM chipsets are typically sold to
manufacturers of embedded wireless modules or dongles. The MDM chipset
from Qualcomm is essentially an entry-level chip and provides savings
for Apple, both in terms of device complexity and in the cost of
manufacturing.
A full teardown analysis of Verizon iPhone 4, including complete bills of
material and hardware cost assessment, will follow this week.
The reviews of the Verizon iPhone 4 have been very positive, with most reviewers reporting great call quality and fewer dropped calls at Verizon.