Is there something technical blocking an AWS iPhone?

[WeeBey]

I was just wondering, is the lack of AWS spectrum support in the iPhone a business decision or a technical challenge?

Let's assume Apple will use the Qualcomm MDM9615 chip in the next iPhone. Is there a limit to how many bands this chip can support?

Could the iPhone 4S (with an MDM6610) have supported AWS?

Does supporting more bands require new software? New antennas?

How does, for example, Samsung do it? Do they just make a separate SKU specifically for AWS?


Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm completely ignorant on these matters. I've been thinking about this for a while so I finally decided to reach out to folks smarter than myself.

 

[WeeBey]

I found an article on ExtremeTech that seems to explain the situation.

Will the iPhone 5 work on T-Mobile?

With the iPhone 4S, the radio was upgraded to the MDM6610. As part of Qualcomm’s Gobi 3000 series, it still includes support for AWS on the chip. From what I can tell, the reason for the lack of AWS support is simply because the radio structure doesn’t have support for it. The LIPA (Load-Insensitive Power Amplifier) from Skyworks is a unit that only supports UMTS 850/900/1900/2100, leaving out T-Mobile’s band.

If the iPhone 5 uses a Skyworks LIPA for 3G again, it would probably use the Skyworks 77602 LIPA, which supports UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 and CDMA 850/1700/1900/2100. Already, the iPhone 4S uses a custom unit and separate power amplifiers for HSPA+ and CDMA2000, which it shouldn’t have to. Using this unified LIPA would allow Apple a little more room to put something else on it, like an LTE power amplifier.

If the next iPhone does use the above mentioned Skyworks LIPA, then it will also work on MetroPCS and Cricket’s AWS CDMA networks as well as T-Mobile’s AWS HSPA+ network.

The duplexers on the iPhone 4S are only capable of operating on 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz (GSM only), 1900MHz, and 2100MHz. For the next iPhone to support AWS, additional duplexers and filters will be required for the band.

It is definitely feasible for Apple to implement it. Apple may even choose to implement it regardless of not having a distribution deal with T-Mobile USA because unlocked phone purchases from Apple are much more profitable than carrier distribution in terms of per unit. In terms of volume, it isn’t (in the United States, at least). But, because the iPhone will be a singular unit sold for all carriers, Apple simply may not care.

In any case, it will be interesting to see whether the next iPhone and/or iPad will indeed add support for AWS HSPA+ and AWS CDMA2000.

Very interesting. I guess what Apple is missing is additional hardware. They need a new power amp and additional duplexers and filters. Since all the pieces are now available the next iPhone will shed light on whether the lack of AWS is a business decision.