3G iPhone firmware leaked: tri-band HSDPA and GPS are go
It's easy to take for granted the 3G iPhone's launch at this point. After all, Steve said it was "coming later this year," as did a number of prominent mobile executives. And then there's been the barrage of carrier announcements, many in international markets that use UMTS and have zero support for the iPhone as we know it today. But the fact of the matter is we've had very little to go on by way of material evidence -- until now.We have it from a reliable source that a version of the 3G iPhone's firmware has been released -- possibly for carrier partners currently field-testing the device -- and has since been dissected. While nothing is ever guaranteed, in combing through the raw data, we think we got more than enough information on the low-level hardware and drivers that run the device to make some informed conclusions about what we can expect: quad-band GSM support (as we currently have), A-GPS (as we'd already gotten from another source), and tri-band UMTS / HSDPA -- which would make the new iPhone(s) 3G-capable in just about every market in the world. Hardware details after the break. We're through the looking-glass, people!
All the dirty details:
- Infineon PMB6952 / S-GOLD3 six-band UMTS / HSDPA transceiver (as we'd heard)
- Murata LMRX3JCA-479 tri-band amplifier (we're assuming for the 3G)
- Sony SP9T antenna switch for GSM / UMTS dual mode
- ARM 1176JZF-S - Main CPU (same as in 1st gen iPhone)
- Skyworks 77427 chip - UMTS / HSDPA tx 1900MHz, rx 2100MHz
- Skyworks 77414 chip - UMTS / HSDPA 1900MHz
- Skyworks 77413 chip - UMTS / HSDPA 850MHz
- Internal build model number: n82ap (1st gen iPhone was model m68ap)
- UMTS Power Saving option - on or off
- Hooks for Global Locate Library (GLL), software that handles A-GPS related commands for the host processor
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dustin Leiblein @ Jun 6th 2008 9:18PM
Should I expect this leak to be on any certain websites soon? ^_^
Josh @ Jun 6th 2008 10:07PM
What good would it do? Odds are it is 3G only. I am betting there will be two firmwares after release. One for 3G and one for the G1 iPhone. Wouldn't make sense to waste space on an already small device with support for hardware that your phone doesn't have.
KarlW @ Jun 7th 2008 7:25AM
Actually, it's probably more practical for Apple to release the updates together as one package. Maybe you don't realise that the iPhone runs a very flexible operating system under the hood. Microsoft doesn't need to ship a different version of Windows for each system ever built.
Drivers are very small indeed, and options that need to be hidden can be done so by the phone's OS itself. This is not like the iPod touch/iPhone firmware split.
Maxwell @ Jun 8th 2008 12:48AM
Switchbitch, you're an odd one. I really don't see what AT&T has to do with gay sex.
Plus, that cupboard sounds pretty uncomfortable...
CUBSWILLWIN @ Jun 6th 2008 9:19PM
I'm glad I sold my iphone 8 gig for 700 bucks. I hope they announce this at the WWDC
MeatPop @ Jun 6th 2008 9:21PM
Where the hell do you live that someone would buy an 8GB iPhone for $700, Siberia?
CUBSWILLWIN @ Jun 6th 2008 9:23PM
Also, if the rumors are true of the iphone gen 2 being $199 on contract with at&t, my company pays for any phone 200 dollars and under, and I get a discount on any at&t plan I choose.
MeatPop @ Jun 6th 2008 9:32PM
Yeah thanks, I got your avatar, but did you ever stop and think people outside of Chicago or even the US could be Cubs fans? Also you seemed to have missed my intentional overstatement, which was a joke. I just didn't believe anyone would pay that much for a very soon to be outdated phone, especially since in my city, unlocked brand new 16GB iPhone don't sell for more than $600 on craigslist.
Juaquin @ Jun 6th 2008 9:50PM
CUBS:
You are a true inspiration. Despite hundreds of low ranks, you just keep posting only vaguely related comments that border on a waste of space. Keep truckin'!
Mike10010100 @ Jun 6th 2008 11:11PM
I'm so confused about this comment train.
Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 6th 2008 11:24PM
Screw their low-ranks. That ranking crap is so pathetic. Go Cubs.
chris @ Jun 6th 2008 11:51PM
me too..
vdogg89 @ Jun 7th 2008 12:54AM
I am also extremely confused as to what the heck these two are talking about.
b3owolf @ Jun 7th 2008 5:51AM
Hate to tell you this Cubs but the contract Apple has with AT&T doesn't allow corporate discounts of any sort attached to the iPhone. Unless they for some reason decide to change it.
Michael Kontaxis @ Jun 6th 2008 9:24PM
I sold mine for 450 yesterday! 3G here I come!
giantenemycrab @ Jun 6th 2008 11:44PM
I'm holdin' on to mine. I'm going down with the ship, I guess..
creepinshadow @ Jun 6th 2008 9:28PM
Saved money, sold my scratched iPod Touch for 150$
and now i see a 3G iPhone flying into my hands!!!
Motha of 3G iPhone WWDC i'm coming!
Tired_ @ Jun 7th 2008 12:20AM
You sold your $300 Touch for $150, and think you saved money?
carlo2 @ Jun 7th 2008 3:17PM
Aw bummer, I just bought one for 180!!! I COULD HAVE SAVED 30 MORE BUCKS!!!
Jim @ Jun 6th 2008 9:30PM
Digg this story! http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_3G_iPhone_firmware_leaked_tri_band_HSDPA_and_GPS_are/blog
The full English Please!! @ Jun 6th 2008 9:30PM
The bluetooth better not be crippled and better be able to make any song my ringtone or i aint buying... even if O2 offers it at £50 on staff discount. Plus i will let any potential customer now about it if they ask any questions about the phone in store when am working.
I am sick of people bring back their iphone complaining the bluetooth does not work.
In the U.K we take these features for granted. Every country is does not get screwed by the Networks like they do in america and every country does not have the same taste as my fellow noble Americans (apart from Mr Bush, he is an idiot)
ScOObyDoo @ Jun 6th 2008 9:36PM
Seconded. There better be some sweet A2DP/AVCRP on this damn thing. Even my Blackberry has it...
TomWBrowning @ Jun 6th 2008 9:59PM
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/utm/posts/Article/MakeiPhoneRingtone-2007-09-11-09-00
One of the two wants ticked off at least.
With you on the bluetooth stuff though. It's not a deal breaker for me, just a bit of a bitch.
Kyle Hance @ Jun 6th 2008 11:26PM
Thanks for dissing our very GOOD president. I'm sick of people putting him down. Let's see somebody else have to come in and clean up Clinton's mess while trying to work with a terrorist attack. America sucks, but not because of the president, but because of the people. The power lies with the people, as the Constitution states, and we've ruined it. I know I'll probably get the lowest comment rating ever in the history of blogs, but that what comes sometimes when you stand up for what's right.
Anyway, rant aside, I can't wait for the 3G iPhone! This new info made me nearly pee my pants!
Gavin @ Jun 6th 2008 11:43PM
@ Kyle Hance
America does not suck, the prez, however, does suck your saturated salty balls!
Shane @ Jun 7th 2008 12:00AM
That's President Bush to you.
Keith @ Jun 6th 2008 11:56PM
Hey don't dis Clinton, he was able to help the budget while getting head!
Maxwell @ Jun 7th 2008 12:12AM
Kyle, you just blamed everyone who lives here for having a sucky country. Now, that's not very fair. I didn't do anything wrong!
Blair @ Jun 7th 2008 1:19AM
Ah, the he said, she said. Get over yourselves, go vote for barak osama bin laden.
Juaquin @ Jun 7th 2008 2:49AM
Leave Bush alone!! Just leave him alone!!!
How dare you make fun of him after all he's been through?!!
He's a HUMAN!!!
*channeling Chris Crocker*
Greg @ Jun 7th 2008 10:20AM
"but that what comes sometimes when you stand up for what's right."
You, sir, are a noble man. Bravo! Bravo!
mrobin604 @ Jun 7th 2008 11:56AM
@Kyle:
Yes, you're right. The power lies with the people, as the Constitution states, and we've ruined it. We're ruined it, by re-electing George Bush.
giedrys @ Jun 6th 2008 9:31PM
cub sold his iPhone "overseas" to the nigerian scammer for $700 that he will never see and he sure is happy about it.
youngcalihottie @ Jun 6th 2008 9:51PM
he sent it to his "friend" who offered him $7 million for assisting with moving his $100 million in funds from the nigerian account to his US account.
Richard @ Jun 7th 2008 12:29AM
Let's hope his ANUS are in order (this is an inside joke for those of you too down-button happy)
ro4ers @ Jun 7th 2008 4:44PM
Its a Friends joke people, stop low ranking him! ANUS stands for Annual Net Usage Statistics @ Chandlers first workplace.
ij00mini @ Jun 7th 2008 8:03PM
They're probably down-voting him BECAUSE it's a Friends joke.
totoro @ Jun 6th 2008 9:33PM
tri-band UMTS/HSDPA...so Japan can use the same phone?
ScOObyDoo @ Jun 6th 2008 9:37PM
Everyone can use it.
Except T-mobile USA. T-mobile users will be stuck using EDGE with it...
That is of course, unless Apple REALLY managed to lock this one down, which I don't think will last long.
SeditioN VII @ Jun 6th 2008 9:38PM
The phone is 100% NOT coming out on monday. I am an at&t employee, and that email that was wondering around the nets about our vacation time being blacked out from june 15- july 13 is real. My store, in AZ, is out of iPhones just like every other at&t store in the state, I believe the apple stores are out too. I'm sure Jobs is going to just talk about software the whole time until it almost over. and then the "...One more thing." speech will begin announcing the phones US release for the 27th of June. Either way we're getting close, but it definitely isn't coming out on monday. They have to announce it, then sit back and create the HUGE demand we all know they will.
Charles Han @ Jun 6th 2008 9:49PM
yea that makes sense, I doubt Monday will be actual launch date, more like finally announcing the official iphone and pricing. Therefore, debunking or proving some of the rumors floating around.
Bob Cronk @ Jun 6th 2008 9:55PM
I heard the June 27th launch date from another AT&T employee as well. But that doesn't explain all the mysterious unmarked boxes being shipped all over. Maybe it's another new product?
bigspooon @ Jun 6th 2008 10:13PM
@sedition
im not saying i disagree but can you explain why ATT employees cant take vacation starting june 15 if the iphone isnt being released until the 27th?
based on the memo, it sounds to me like the iphone will be available in stores starting june 16th.
miko34 @ Jun 6th 2008 10:27PM
@bigspoon: They want two weeks to prepare new employees during that time, so they won't start crying when hundreds of nerds start demanding a 3G iPhone on day one. Just a guess.
clak @ Jun 6th 2008 10:38PM
I personally think 3G is overrated. If they release the App Store on time, I will be a happy camper. The only reason I want 3G, is to shut up all the whiners and haters. I haven't seen a phone yet that can download the internet faster.
Of course, a lot of other phones have WAP browsers, but I've seen internet on my friend's Treo and it just sucks. Just sucks. Period.
How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?—Verbal Kent, The Usual Suspects
roole @ Jun 6th 2008 11:15PM
@clak
**Nothing** will stop the whiners and haters! Just got to smile, and move on......
PS: Some great points, btw.
leland @ Jun 6th 2008 11:52PM
They will probably be getting some in the hands of reviewers this week, so the reviews will be up by the time it's launched next week. if they were launching on monday there would be no buzz.
SeditioN VII @ Jun 7th 2008 12:36AM
@ Bigspoon
Miko hit it pretty straight on. In many markets that apple and at&t are expecting a very high volume of iPhones, they are placing temporary RSC's in some stores that are under staffed. We did the same thing last year, the temps had about 5 days of class room training, then they learned some real world experience by following around a rep for a few days before the actual launch. It wasn't a secret or anything, obviously because the PHONE wasn't a secret. Two stores in my market are receiving temps that start training on the 16th. Also, the launch is a "Secret" if our email said ..."No one can take non- previously approved vacation time from june 26th - june 28th" it would be a BIT too obvious. LOL
Richard Lai @ Jun 7th 2008 4:18AM
In addition to SeditioN VII's comment, I also heard that in Australia they want to hold up the iPhone's release date for the grand opening of a new (first?) Apple Store on the 19th there. Anyone who can confirm this?
Tyson @ Jun 6th 2008 9:46PM
I thought T-mobile rolled out 3 g using 2100 at least hear n NY so you can use it with T-mobile?