iPhones XS, XS Max and XR European will be homologated in Brazil

Last week, we explained that the A1920 and A1921 models (iPhones XS and XS Max, respectively), sold in the United States, do not support the band 28 (700MHz APT) of 4G / LTE. Does this mean that they will not work here in Brazil, that they will not be able to connect to Brazilian 4G networks? It is not so. They will work, yes, since much of the current 4G signal uses band 7 (of 2,600MHz).

It so happens that, with the release of band 28 (thanks to the death of the analog signal from TVs), this frequency of 700MHz APT started to be used also by some operators, in order to expand and improve the coverage of the 4G network in our country. The tendency is that the use of band 28 will increase – and the problem is there: since the American iPhones XS and Xs Max do not support this frequency, it may be that in some cities or regions you may not be able to have the best 4G signal. Therefore, the most recommended (for those who can, of course) is to purchase the model A2097 (XS) or the A2101 (XS Max), sold in European and Asian countries.

Apple itself has already confirmed that the A2097 and A2101 models will be the ones marketed here in Brazil, since the specifications page of the iPhones XS and XS Max contains precisely such models.

Until a few days ago, this page had only been translated into Portuguese and still listed American models. Now, Apple organized everything and already indicates the correct ones for the national market.

And the iPhone XR?

All of this is related to the XS and XS Max iPhones. But what about the iPhone XR? Will the 6.1 ″ model that will be launched by Apple at the end of October follow this same path? Yes.

On the page that lists the countries and the respective models of iPhones that will be marketed in each of them, we still have no mention of the iPhone XR. However, on the phone’s specifications page, Apple lists the model A2105 – which is different from the model listed on the American page, the A1984.

This scenario was almost certain, but now it is confirmed. Obviously, like the XS and XS Max iPhones, the iPhone XR purchased in the USA will work in Brazil, but it will have this limitation of connecting to 4G networks when a certain operator works only on the 700MHz APT frequency (band 28) in a given city or region.

It is worth noting that no operator will simply stop supporting band 7 (2,600 MHz) in the short term. A lot of money was invested to build the Brazilian 4G and, currently, the expansion of band 28 (700MHz APT) is «in its initial phase». Although it is more interesting because it offers greater signal penetration (overcoming obstacles such as walls and improving indoor coverage) and because it has a greater reach, nothing in this technology market happens overnight. It is not for nothing that the 2G / EDGE signal is still operational today.

Of course, the best of all worlds is to have a device that supports both bands, so you don’t have to worry about it. But, again: acquiring an iPhone XS, XS Max or XR in the USA does not mean that you will not connect to 4G networks here in Brazil. And, regardless of that, it will have full guarantee in Brazil – even being able to exchange it for a national model in case of defect, who knows.