The iPhones 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max already “are among us” (at least virtually) and, just like last year, the new devices will be sold in a single model in the United States – that is, we will not have two different versions, with support for LTE frequencies and bands depending on the operator.
With that, the question remains: will the new iPhones purchased in the USA or in the rest of the world work on Brazilian 4G networks? As much as the official answer has not yet arrived (Apple, after all, has not yet included Brazil in the list of countries for each model), we can already paint a panorama of the situation.
We USA (and in Canada), only the models A2111 (iPhone 11), A2160 (iPhone 11 Pro) and A2161 (iPhone 11 Pro Max) will be sold, in GSM and CDMA versions. They bring support to band 3 (1,800MHz) and band 7 (2,600MHz) of LTE – the second, the most used in Brazil today; However, no bring support to band 28 (700MHz APT), which is the last network released for Brazilian 4G (previously occupied by the analogue TV signal) and which has already been widely adopted by operators.
The 4G of band 28 has a greater reach and more stability and, therefore, the tendency is that operators start to use this band more and more instead of the “old” 7; several cities in Brazil have already made or are making the transition to the new frequency. That is, if you buy your new iPhone in the USA, you may not have access to 4G in Brazil in some regions or you may have access cut off (a lot?) In the future; in addition, you will not be able to take advantage of the so-called “4.5G” (faster).
The models that worked fully with the Brazilian 4G until last year were the Europeans – A2221 (11), A2215 (11 Pro) and A2218 (11 Pro Max) – but surprisingly, at least according to such an Apple page at the moment, the iPhones 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max also do not support band 28 – only 3 and 7, in addition to others different from American models – the iPhone 11 supports the three. In other words, we cannot say, at this moment, that these European models of the iPhones 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max will be the same ones that will arrive in Brazil – especially because, if that happens, they will not work in our “4.5G” (which doesn’t make any sense).
And now?
Having said that, we have some hypotheses:
- Apple will in fact launch these three European models in Brazil, and only the iPhone 11 will work with the three national 4G bands.
- We will have different models from the ones listed on the Apple website being launched here, but those with support for our three bands.
- The Apple page is wrong and will still be updated with the inclusion of band 28 in European models.
Unfortunately, if I were to bet today, I would go for option 1. I would very much like the right to be 2, while 3 is probably the most unlikely of the three (but we have to consider that hypothesis, yes).
And the Apple Watch?
Regarding the Apple watches, the situation changes positively in relation to the Series 4, as shown on this Apple page. The A2094 (40mm) and A2095 (44mm) models of the Apple Watch Series 5, sold on USA and in Canada, support both bands 3 and 7, and are therefore compatible with the Brazilian 4G.
Models sold on Europe, at China and in Japan (and that should arrive here, when the Series 5 land in national lands) are A2156 (40mm) and A2157 (44mm); these also provide support for bands 3 and 7, but nothing has been done in relation to band 28, newer – that is, even they will have connection difficulties in some locations in Brazil.
It is what we have for today, however.
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Having said all that, it is good to always remember that, regardless of your iPhone model purchased, wherever in the world, Apple supports it in Brazil even though it is incompatible (or partially compatible) with national 4G networks. The warranty and AppleCare are normally valid here and you can use all the features of your smartphone normally, even if you are unable to connect to the national LTE.
The same rule applies to the Apple Watch and, contrary to what happened in the past, it is possible that Apple will start supporting the LTE model of the American / Canadian watch here thanks to this new band compatibility. To see.
It is always good to pay attention to these details, however – after all, it is unpleasant to arrive on a trip and notice that an important feature of your new gadget is missing, isn’t it?
Update Sep 10, 2019 at 16:57
As some readers commented, Apple informs on the Brazilian pages of technical specifications of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro the models that will be launched here.
And, look, they are exactly the same Europeans: A2221 (11), A2215 (11 Pro) and AA2218 (11 Pro Max). We already know that the European iPhone 11 supports our band 28, but the curious thing is that on this page of iPhones 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max Apple list, yes, band 28 on both models:

That is, * it seems * that option 3 above proceeds! So let’s hope. ?
Update II Sep 11, 2019 at 09:43
We were lucky, guys: the correct option really was 3 – Apple updated the LTE page on the iPhone and now includes the band 28 (700MHz APT) in the two European models of the iPhones 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
That is, they will be fully compatible with the national 4G.
Update III, by Eduardo Marques Sep 23, 2019 at 20:35
At least for now, Apple Watches sold in the US are * not * connecting to the Brazilian 4G network. More information in this article.
Update IV, by Eduardo Marques Sep 27, 2019 at 17:47
At least on the Claro operator’s network, the American Apple Watches Series 5 are already working – it should be a matter of time before Vivo also releases access.