iPhone 4S for Sprint/ TMobile in Sept?

[pjletofsky]

I saw this on MacRumors.com- sounds good to me! There's more here:

http://techland.time.com/2011/05/13/analyst-prepare-for-iphone-4s-on-sprint-t-mobile/

Forbes reports on a new research note from Jeffries & Co. analyst Peter Misek claiming that Apple's next-generation iPhone will be a relatively minor revamp known as the "iPhone 4S" and will debut in September. Misek also claims that Apple will be expanding carrier availability in the U.S. to include Sprint and T-Mobile by the end of the year, with China Mobile also reportedly coming on board.
"According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support," he writes in a research note.

But he also says that "industry checks indicate Apple will likely announce Sprint, T-Mobile, and China Mobile as new carriers."

The "iPhone 4S" name first gained publicity last month in claims that Apple has been providing select high-level iOS developers with souped-up iPhone 4 devices, with the source citing an unofficial name of "iPhone 4S" for the device.

Misek's report goes on to note that the next-generation iPhone is not likely to bring compatibility with faster LTE 4G networks rolling out in some markets, as the required chipsets from Qualcomm are not yet available in quantity to support the inclusion of the technology.
As for LTE, he says the Qualcomm LTE chipset Apple would have used "is currently not achieving yields sufficient for inclusion in the iPhone 5." He says Apple had hoped to have the LTE chipsets ready, but was planning a version without LTE called iPhone 4S.

The claim regarding a lack of LTE compatibility in the next-generation iPhone fits with earlier reports that the required chipsets won't be available to make their way into handsets until 2012.

 

[Kabob]

I remain skeptical, but if that's true I'd probably switch from VZW to Sprint. Although I'd probably wait for the rumored iPhone 5 next Spring.

 

[Mopetar]

If the next one does turn out to be the 4S and doesn't have LTE, I imagine the next one after that will be the 4G or 4GS as it would use a 4G network.

 

[foghorn67]

I would buy it. I think I am going to try all the four mobile OS's over the next year or so. I'm on Android, would like to try Apple, WM7, and WebOS.

 

[boomhower]

I'll believe it when I see it. I see T-Mobile more than Sprint, but considering Apple's strained manufacturing capacity it wouldn't shock to for neither to get it.

 

[Rottie]

iPhone 4S for Tmobile would be awesome!!

 

[Pliablemoose]

I can see both happening, Apple is concerned about market share and by coming out on TMo and Sprint, they'll have as much availability in the US as they'll ever get.

 

[Bateluer]

Upgrading from an 800Mhz Hummingbird in the iPhone 4 to the dual core OMAP4/SGX43 in an iPhone 4S counts as a minor change? Cripes, what do they consider a major change?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Upgrading from an 800Mhz Hummingbird in the iPhone 4 to the dual core OMAP4/SGX43 in an iPhone 4S counts as a minor change? Cripes, what do they consider a major change?

Unless Ti make it, it's not OMAP.

Anyway, I predicted we would see a 4'S' this time around long ago.

 

[Oyeve]

Upgrading from an 800Mhz Hummingbird in the iPhone 4 to the dual core OMAP4/SGX43 in an iPhone 4S counts as a minor change? Cripes, what do they consider a major change?

Well minor in the fact that dual-cores have yet to be a necessity. I think a major change would be a larger screen and a total design-cosmetic look. Bumping to latest processor doesn't mean major change. Its probably cheaper going with whatever chip is available in bulk at the time.

 

[badb0y]

1. Fix Antenna Issues
2. Double check Antenna issue is fixed
3. Add A5 chip
4. Add better notifications system
5. ???????
6. Win.

 

[Bateluer]

Unless Ti make it, it's not OMAP.

Anyway, I predicted we would see a 4'S' this time around long ago.

Samsung makes the CPU in the iP4, and Apple still calls it an A4. The A5 in the iPad 2 is an OMAP4.

 

[ViRGE]

Samsung makes the CPU in the iP4, and Apple still calls it an A4. The A5 in the iPad 2 is an OMAP4.

Unless TI makes it, it's not OMAP.

The A5 is an Apple SoC utilizing dual-core ARM A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX543MP2 (among other things). These are not the same specs as the OMAP4.

 

[smartpatrol]

It would be awesome to have iPhone on all 4 carriers. I hope other smartphone OEMs do the same with their flagship products.

I have a feeling this will become more common in the future. Rumor has it that the next iPhone will use some Qualcomm baseband chip that's compatible with both CDMA and GSM networks, including HSPA+. So one phone could theoretically run on any network worldwide.

 

[Bateluer]

Unless TI makes it, it's not OMAP.

The A5 is an Apple SoC utilizing dual-core ARM A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX543MP2 (among other things). These are not the same specs as the OMAP4.

We go through this every time Apple releases a new magical gadget. They have not designed their own SoC from the ground up in any iPhone or ipad product. They've tweaked designs made by others, but nothing more. The A4 was a Hummingbird designed by Samsung, with extra instructions added by Apple. The A5 is an OMAP4, with instructions added by Apple.

Lets call a spade a spade here. They're all powerful SoCs, but Apple didn't design them or fab them. No matter how much Apple wants their customers to believe they were created by magical fairies.

Edit - More clarification. The A5 and OMAP4 are minted in the same fab by Texas Instruments, one set of silicon gets branded OMAP and is sold by TI. The other gets labeled A5 and is sold to Apple to be used in Apple's products under Apple's brand.

 

[randomlinh]

blasted timing. My mom is up for a new phone, and I'd get her an iPhone, but I refuse to switch to AT&T. She really likes the Nexus S aesthetically, but I'm a little wary of giving my smartphone noob mom a stock android phone.

 

[JS80]

No 4G for Sprint = fail

 

[foghorn67]

We go through this every time Apple releases a new magical gadget. They have not designed their own SoC from the ground up in any iPhone or ipad product. They've tweaked designs made by others, but nothing more. The A4 was a Hummingbird designed by Samsung, with extra instructions added by Apple. The A5 is an OMAP4, with instructions added by Apple.

Lets call a spade a spade here. They're all powerful SoCs, but Apple didn't design them or fab them. No matter how much Apple wants their customers to believe they were created by magical fairies.

Edit - More clarification. The A5 and OMAP4 are minted in the same fab by Texas Instruments, one set of silicon gets branded OMAP and is sold by TI. The other gets labeled A5 and is sold to Apple to be used in Apple's products under Apple's brand.

schooled.

 

[ViRGE]

We go through this every time Apple releases a new magical gadget. They have not designed their own SoC from the ground up in any iPhone or ipad product. They've tweaked designs made by others, but nothing more. The A4 was a Hummingbird designed by Samsung, with extra instructions added by Apple. The A5 is an OMAP4, with instructions added by Apple.

Lets call a spade a spade here. They're all powerful SoCs, but Apple didn't design them or fab them. No matter how much Apple wants their customers to believe they were created by magical fairies.

Edit - More clarification. The A5 and OMAP4 are minted in the same fab by Texas Instruments, one set of silicon gets branded OMAP and is sold by TI. The other gets labeled A5 and is sold to Apple to be used in Apple's products under Apple's brand.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm only going to say this once: the specs of the A4/5, the Hummingbird, and the OMAP4 are not the same.

Apple, TI, and Samsung all license various IP and designs. The common thread among them is that all 3 license ARM cores from ARM Holdings, and PowerVR GPU designs from Imagination Technologies. How they put all of this together, and with what additional components, is entirely up to them.

OMAP4: Dual-Core Cortex A9, PowerVR SGX540
Apple A5: Dual-Core Cortex A9, PowerVR SGX543MP2
Hummingbird: Single-Core Cortex A8, PowerVR SGX540
Apple A4: Single-Core Cortex A8, PowerVR SGX535

None of those chips are the same, never mind the fact that we haven't even gotten into fine grained details about display controllers, image processors, and the like.

Secondly, TI isn't fabbing Apple's SoCs. It's Samsung that's doing the fabrication for A4 and A5.

What you may be getting confused here is that since Samsung fabs both the Hummingbird and A4, that there's been a lot of speculation that Apple is using a tweaked Samsung Coretex A8 design for their CPU. This is probably true, as we've known all along that Apple is using someone's A8 design. If not the reference ARM Holdings A8, then it's probably Samsung's. But that's the CPU, not the SoC, which is what the debate is about.

The A4 and A5 are unique designs. They are not rebranded designs from other companies. They share common IP, but the resulting product is unique. The OMAP is not a Hummingbird, the A5 is not an OMAP. Unless TI makes it, it's not OMAP.

 

[Bateluer]

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm only going to say this once: the specs of the A4/5, the Hummingbird, and the OMAP4 are not the same.

Apple, TI, and Samsung all license various IP and designs. The common thread among them is that all 3 license ARM cores from ARM Holdings, and PowerVR GPU designs from Imagination Technologies. How they put all of this together, and with what additional components, is entirely up to them.

OMAP4: Dual-Core Cortex A9, PowerVR SGX540
Apple A5: Dual-Core Cortex A9, PowerVR SGX543MP2
Hummingbird: Single-Core Cortex A8, PowerVR SGX540
Apple A4: Single-Core Cortex A8, PowerVR SGX535

None of those chips are the same, never mind the fact that we haven't even gotten into fine grained details about display controllers, image processors, and the like.

Secondly, TI isn't fabbing Apple's SoCs. It's Samsung that's doing the fabrication for A4 and A5.

What you may be getting confused here is that since Samsung fabs both the Hummingbird and A4, that there's been a lot of speculation that Apple is using a tweaked Samsung Coretex A8 design for their CPU. This is probably true, as we've known all along that Apple is using someone's A8 design. If not the reference ARM Holdings A8, then it's probably Samsung's. But that's the CPU, not the SoC, which is what the debate is about.

The A4 and A5 are unique designs. They are not rebranded designs from other companies. They share common IP, but the resulting product is unique. The OMAP is not a Hummingbird, the A5 is not an OMAP. Unless TI makes it, it's not OMAP.

You're overlooking something, the GPUs are made by PowerVR. Samsung makes the Hummingbird, licenses the PowerVR tech, and can pair whatever GPU they wish with it. The A4 is the same CPU as the Hummingbird, different GPU. This has been noted in nearly every single detailed review of the iPhone 4's innards. The A4 and A5 are only unique in the fact that they are likely the only currently shipping SoCs with Apple's proprietary instructions tacked onto the ARM sets.

We can go around and around on this all day, but as it relates to the article in the OP, its a massive jump in performance from the A4/Hummingbird to the A5/OMAP4. And they called it a minor bump. What would they call a major bump then?

 

[ViRGE]

You're overlooking something, the GPUs are made by PowerVR. Samsung makes the Hummingbird, licenses the PowerVR tech, and can pair whatever GPU they wish with it. The A4 is the same CPU as the Hummingbird, different GPU. This has been noted in nearly every single detailed review of the iPhone 4's innards. The A4 and A5 are only unique in the fact that they are likely the only currently shipping SoCs with Apple's proprietary instructions tacked onto the ARM sets.

There's been some speculation that Apple is using a unique DSP for their imaging hardware, but since Apple doesn't comment on the individual components of their SoCs no one is sure. Otherwise I largely agree with you: many of the individual components on the A4/A5 are similar to other SoCs. The only thing I have a problem with is any claims that they're identical, or that the A5 is an OMAP processor. That's a huge insult to TI since they're not even fabbing the A5, Samsung is. Unless TI makes it, it's not OMAP.

We can go around and around on this all day, but as it relates to the article in the OP, its a massive jump in performance from the A4/Hummingbird to the A5/OMAP4. And they called it a minor bump. What would they call a major bump then?

A8+SGX535 to A9+SGX543MP2 is indeed a huge jump. It's a tech press thing I suppose: if it looks the same on the outside, then it's not a big change. Replace the camera/screen/case, and all of a sudden it's a major upgrade.

 

[DivideBYZero]

You're overlooking something, the GPUs are made by PowerVR. Samsung makes the Hummingbird, licenses the PowerVR tech, and can pair whatever GPU they wish with it. The A4 is the same CPU as the Hummingbird, different GPU. This has been noted in nearly every single detailed review of the iPhone 4's innards. The A4 and A5 are only unique in the fact that they are likely the only currently shipping SoCs with Apple's proprietary instructions tacked onto the ARM sets.

We can go around and around on this all day, but as it relates to the article in the OP, its a massive jump in performance from the A4/Hummingbird to the A5/OMAP4. And they called it a minor bump. What would they call a major bump then?

A5 != OMAP, just as A4 != Hummingbird. While these basic designs have much in common, such as the A9 architecture, the GPU from PVR, they are still distinct SoCs with unique architecture elements and differences.

If you think otherwise, just pull up the schematics of the Hummingbird and OMAP to see the difference in just those units. This obviously cannot be done for A4/5, but the principle is the same. Where they are manufactured means little.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Snap...OMAP---the-mobile-CPU-war-beyond-1GHz_id12546

 

[ViRGE]

A5 != OMAP, just as A4 != Hummingbird. While these basic designs have much in common, such as the A9 architecture, the GPU from PVR, they are still distinct SoCs with unique architecture elements and differences.

If you think otherwise, just pull up the schematics of the Hummingbird and OMAP to see the difference in just those units. This obviously cannot be done for A4/5, but the principle is the same. Where they are manufactured means little.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Snap...OMAP---the-mobile-CPU-war-beyond-1GHz_id12546

Is the Hummingbird block diagram even available? AnandTech has the OMAP4, but I've never seen one for Hummingbird.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Is the Hummingbird block diagram even available? AnandTech has the OMAP4, but I've never seen one for Hummingbird.

Ahh, maybe not, I just assumed it was only Apple that kept that under wraps.

 

[Bateluer]

There's been some speculation that Apple is using a unique DSP for their imaging hardware, but since Apple doesn't comment on the individual components of their SoCs no one is sure. Otherwise I largely agree with you: many of the individual components on the A4/A5 are similar to other SoCs. The only thing I have a problem with is any claims that they're identical, or that the A5 is an OMAP processor. That's a huge insult to TI since they're not even fabbing the A5, Samsung is. Unless TI makes it, it's not OMAP.

Oops, have to backpedal a little. You would be correct, the A5 is a Samsung product, not a TI design. My mistake, its more likely Exynos(sp) with Apple's extra instructions. I'll eat humble pie on that one, could have sworn AT's review of it listed it as an OMAP4.

The A4, however, is still very firmly a Hummingbird CPU.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A4

The Cortex-A8 core used in the A4 is thought to use performance enhancements developed by chip designer Intrinsity (which was subsequently acquired by Apple)[10] in collaboration with Samsung.[11] The resulting core, dubbed "Hummingbird", is able to run at far higher clock rates than other implementations while remaining fully compatible with the Cortex-A8 design provided by ARM.[12] Other performance improvements include additional L2 cache. The same Cortex-A8 CPU core used in the A4 is also used in Samsung's S5PC110A01 SoC.[13][14]

FYI, you can actually buy Chinese tablets using the Hummingbird SoC/SGX540, they're just using the generic branding.