Skip to main content

Verizon’s iPhone 4 vs. AT&T’s iPhone 4: Twins compared

Like identical twins, Verizon’s new iPhone 4 and the version that has been available on AT&T since this summer may share a vast majority of their DNA, but it’s the fraction of a percent where they differ that geeks and analysts will be picking apart. Wondering how the same phone will work differently on different networks? Here’s how Verizon’s iPhone 4 will diverge from AT&T’s iPhone 4.

Verizon’s iPhone acts as a mobile hotspot.

iphone-4As anyone who has jailbroken an iPhone and installed an app like MyWi knows, AT&T’s version has always had the hardware to work as a Wi-Fi hotspot, but AT&T’s draconian tethering restrictions never allowed it. That will change on Verizon, where iPhone owners will be able to share connectivity with up to five other users, the same way they can on many existing Android devices.

Verizon’s iPhone won’t let you use data while you talk.

Verizon may have the nation’s most expansive 3G network, but CMDA does come with some caveats, most notably: It can’t handle simultaneous voice and data use. This may only present a problem for the most compulsive multitaskers, but you can forget about plugging your friend’s address directly into Google Maps when he dictates it to you over the phone, or surfing the Web during those never-ending conference calls.

Verizon’s iPhone has a tweaked antenna design.

Different network, different antenna. Apple allegedly fixed its Antennagate woes by quietly adding a nonconductive coating to later iPhone 4 models on AT&T, but the CDMA version has been overhauled even more, which should prevent the same connectivity woes that marred its initial rollout this summer.

AT&T’s version has more headroom for faster Internet access.

The HSDPA 3G chip in AT&T’s iPhone 4 can technically support download speeds up to 7.2 mbps, while the EVDO Rev. A standard used for Verizon’s model technically caps out at 3.1 mbps. Before anybody gets an aneurysm from these numbers: They’re both purely hypothetical speeds caps that no one will likely ever bump up against in real life. As anyone who has used an iPhone on AT&T can tell you, the overburdened network often produces pitiful speeds in its current state, and an impromptu speed test also shows Verizon outperforming AT&T in real life. Still, AT&T is already prepping ads that claim a speed advantage on its home network, and carrier-side upgrades could propel the AT&T iPhone faster than its Verizon sibling in the future – hypothetically.

Verizon’s iPhone is no globetrotter.

Besides the no-voice-and-data catch, Verizon’s CDMA network has some other liabilities when it comes to travel. Specifically, few countries in the world use the CDMA standard, while GSM can be found just about anywhere cell service can be. That makes Verizon’s iPhone a US-only affair for the most part, but it’s worth noting that the micro SIM used in AT&T’s iPhone 4 also throws a wet blanket on its travel potential, preventing the easy SIM swaps GSM users have typically been able to take advantage of.

Verizon will offer different data plans.

Verizon declined to announce data plans for the iPhone with its announcement today, but the Wall Street Journal claims its existing data plans, including an unlimited option, will remain intact. That means heavy data users can get unlimited service on Verizon for $30, versus a 2GB cap on AT&T for $25. Lighter data users may prefer AT&T. Currently, the carrier affords users 200MB for $15 a month, while Verizon offers 150MB in at plan priced the same. Prices, however, could very well change prior it launch.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Mokey
As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…
Your iPhone could steal this Pixel Tablet feature when it gets iOS 17
iPhone 14 Pro with always on display no wallpaper or notifications

With iOS 17 coming in hot for its expected June reveal during Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, iPhone owners are anxious to hear about any big features coming with the update. According to Bloomberg, a major change is coming in the form of a complete interface overhaul for locked devices that effectively turns your iPhone into a smart display.

The new interface will supposedly display a plethora of information like the weather, push notifications, upcoming significant calendar dates, and more. Per the report, this new interface displays automatically when your iPhone is locked and laying horizontally with its screen facing up.

Read more
This phone just ruined the iPhone 14 Pro and Samung Galaxy S23 Ultra for me
Vivo X90 Pro with Yashica analog camera on a flat surface.

Vivo may not be as popular outside of China as its sister brands OnePlus and Realme, but it has recently gained widespread recognition for its impressive cameras on the flagship X series.

For their commendable camera quality, Vivo's X series phones rely on its partnership with Zeiss, which provides special lenses and helps tune colors for these devices. The Vivo X90 Pro is the latest product in the series to benefit from this exclusive partnership, which has resulted in some phenomenal photography.

Read more
I really hope the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t look like this
CAD render of the iPhone 16 Pro Max next to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

We may still be waiting for Apple to announce the iPhone 15 series, but that hasn't stopped the iPhone 16 leaks from already trickling in. More specifically, new renders now provide a first glimpse at what 2024's iPhone 16 Pro Max could look like ... and it's a lot.

In collaboration with Apple leaker Sonny Dickson, 9to5Mac has published early CAD renders of the iPhone 16 Pro Max / iPhone 16 Ultra. The name of the device is still up in the air, but the renders showcase what the rumored 6.9-inch display will potentially look like.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max looks ginormous

Read more