iPhone X A1985 vs. iPhone X A1901 →

Specifically, the iPhone X A1865 uses the Qualcomm MDM9655 Snapdragon X16 LTE modem while the iPhone X A1901 has the Intel XMM 7480 modem. You can check out my previous article to understand more about differences among iPhone X models. Basically, the Qualcomm modem is more superior and I guess most people will prefer this option because it covers more cellular bands and the performance of Qualcomm’s chips has always been better than Intel’s.

Just like last year’s iPhone 7 / 7 Plus, the iPhone X sold as Verizon and Sprint models is the “better” iPhone with the faster chipset. It’s unfortunate that Apple throttled Qualcomm’s Gigabit LTE to match Intel’s slower version. As of now, Qualcomm is the only provider for Gigabit LTE.

Verizon Adds Over 800k 4G Smartphone Users →

Customer defections, also known as churn in the telecommunications industry, for Verizon's wireless postpaid business dipped to 0.90 percent versus the 0.99 percent estimated by FactSet.

Verizon said it added 842,000 4G smartphones to its postpaid customer base in the quarter.

Does this number include those that were already non smartphone subscribers? Just wait until Apple releases the iPhone 6S / Plus S next quarter. I'm betting that all those iPhone 5 & iPhone 5S users will upgrade. 

Verizon is Tracking You

This can't end well for the largest carrier in the United States but apparently AT&T might be guilty too. Hopefully, T-Mobile isn't doing the same.

Verizon Wireless has been subtly altering the web traffic of its wireless customers for the past two years, inserting a string of about 50 letters, numbers, and characters into data flowing between these customers and the websites they visit.

via Wired

Customer Service Goes Above and Beyond

I have to applaud the Apple retail lady who picked up my phone call yesterday at Fashion Valley, San Diego. She truly went above and beyond. I inquired about an order that I was placing online for "In-store pickup". Specifically, I had an iPhone 6 Plus in Gold 128GB AT&T for my wife in my cart but ran into a small problem. Apparently by the time I had connected with her on the phone, she advised me that they had just run out.

I told her that I was flying out to work and she continued the awesome service by asking where. It was a little odd at first but after I told her Dallas, she found two different Apple stores that had the 128GB in Gold AT&T and Silver AT&T around town.  She told me that if I placed the order I would have 7 days to pick them up so that wouldn't be a problem at all. You're asking why AT&T? I'll talk about that in a later post. Yes, I'm still heavily contemplating T-Mobile but yeah… in a later post.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel like flying around the country for the next few days with $2k worth of phones on me after my iPad debacle in Miami so I politely thanked her and said that I'd continue to play the game in San Diego when I get back.  I also thanked her for her amazing job and told her that she was awesome.

Kudos again to Apple Fashion Valley. Happy October!

Verizon Edge: Still Scamming You Twice

Seriously, if you really want or need that new phone, just buy it; don't subsidize it. Or if you really must, use your credit card but don't think Verizon's newer Edge plan is better. It's still awful.

As noticed by CNET and confirmed on Verizon's site, the carrier has made a tweak to Edge that does let customers using it upgrade even more frequently if they're so inclined — now, instead of waiting for six months to trade your phone in and get a new one, you can do so after just 30 days. Of course, you're still responsible for paying off half the retail cost on the phone, which means you won't save much money with this new plan. The earlier you upgrade, the less time you're paying Verizon two phone subsidies (the monthly Edge payment as well as the phone payment already built in to your contract) — but it's still not a good deal, just a less bad one.

However, Verizon subscribers who wants to upgrade their phones whenever they want are probably better off just buying phones at their full retail cost — you control exactly when you buy a new phone, and you get to keep or sell them afterwards rather than give them back in to Verizon.

The Most Popular iPhone 5 is...

According to Sprint's website, the winner is the 16GB iPhone 5 with shipping times posting two weeks out while the 32GB and 64GB show delivery dates of September 21st.  The other two US carriers, Verizon and AT&T show dates of 9/26 and 2-3 weeks ago respectively.  Maybe Verizon has a larger allotment of iPhone 5s Fives?

Of course, if you do chose Sprint, you won't be able to make calls and surf the web simultaneously so chose accordingly. If you're like me and live in San Diego, I don't even see a roll-out date for Sprint LTE so until then, I'll be sticking with AT&T.

Apple's new iPhone 5

Check out the amazing video that features none other than Sir Jony Ive showing you the amazing features of Apple's new iPhone 5! An even better camera with a sapphire crystal, unbelievable battery life even when coupled with LTE, a larger 4" screen, A6 processor and a new feel. Pre-order this Friday the 14th and it ships on the 21st of September!

With the release of this new phone, customers can now get the 2-year-old iPhone 4 for free, the iPhone 4S 16GB for $99 and the iPhone 5 starting at $199! (all under a two year contract of course) That's just simply awesome!