iPhone 6S Models (A1633, A1634, A1687, A1688, A1699, A1700) Differences

As we all expect at this time every year, the new iPhones have arrived and again we get two new phones in 2015, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus.

Both of the models features significant upgrades like 3D Touch, 12MP iSight camera, 4K video recording, faster CPU and GPU performance. The phones were launched with the 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options but the 16GB and 64GB were discontinued and replaced by the 32GB option since 2016. You must be excited about the launch and want to get hands on the phone as soon as possible. However, you should be careful because your new iPhone might not be compatible with your carrier.

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus come in 8 models, including A1633, A1634, A1687, A1688, A1699, A1700, A1690, and A1691, and they have different cellular connectivity. Fortunately, the number of model numbers is the same as iPhone 6 last year and Apple also covers 3 more LTE bands (23 as compared to 20 bands on iPhone 6). If you are on T-Mobile, you will see a boost in LTE signal, especially when you are inside buildings, because all new models include support for LTE band 12 (700MHz spectrum). AT&T customers will also notice a better experience as some models support the new LTE band 30. The new generation also features LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) which supports download speed of 300Mbps and Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE).

Now, let’s take a look at the different model numbers.

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The 4.7-inch iPhone 6S comes in 4 model numbers, A1633, A1688, A1691, and A1700.

1. A1633: The iPhone 6S A1633 is the most comprehensive model. It is available on AT&T and some more carriers in the US. Apple also started selling the A1633 as the sim-free unlocked version on Apple Store and you will have to pay full price for the device. It supports LTE bands 1 (2100 MHz), 2 (1900 MHz), 3 (1800 MHz), 4 (AWS), 5 (850 MHz), 7 (2600 MHz), 8 (900 MHz), 12 (700 a MHz), 13 (700c MHz), 17 (700b MHz), 18 (800 MHz), 19 (800 MHz), 20 (800 DD), 25 (1900 MHz), 26 (800 MHz), 27 (800 SMR), 28 (700 APT MHz), 29 (700 de MHz), 30 (2300 WCS); TD-LTE bands 38 (TD 2600 MHz), 39 (TD 1900 MHz), 40 (TD 2300 MHz), 41 (TD 2500 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A); CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz).

Here are some part numbers of the model.

AT&T (United States)

Factory-Unlocked (United States)

2. A1688: The global phone has almost the same bands as the A1633, except that there is no LTE band 30 (2.3 GHz WCS spectrum deployed by AT&T). This model will also work on both GSM and CDMA carriers. The A1688 is sold at T-Mobile (locked and contract-free), Sprint and Verizon in the US, as well as in Europe and Asia, including countries like the U.K., France, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. You will also receive this model when you take advantage of Apple’s new iPhone Upgrade Program (except that you are an AT&T customer). Following are some known part numbers of the model.

T-Mobile (United States)

Sprint (United States)

Verizon (United States)

3. A1700: This is the model being sold in China, it will work with all carriers here like China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. It has the same specifications as the A1688. Specifically, it supports FDD-LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29), TD-LTE (bands 38, 39, 40, 41), TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A), CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), UMTS (WCDMA) / HSPA + / DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM / EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

4. A1691: This is another model for the Chinese market. The iPhone 6S A1691 is available exclusively on China Mobile as a contract-free unlocked phone.

Read also:

The 5.5-inch iPhone 6S Plus has 4 model numbers, A1634, A1687, A1690, and A1699.

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1. A1634: The iPhone 6S Plus A1634 is the GSM & CDMA phone and it has the same cellular connectivity as the A1633. The phone is available on AT&T as well as some more GSM carriers in the US like Boost, NET10, Cricket, US Cellular or StraightTalk. You can also pay full price for the iPhone 6S Plus as Apple is selling it as the sim-free unlocked version. Specifically, it supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30; TD-LTE bands 38, 39, 40, 41; GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A); CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz).

Read also: Apple iPhone 6S Plus A1634 SIM-Free Review

AT&T (United States)

Factory-Unlocked (United States)

2. A1687: This is considered the world phone or global phone as it works on both GSM and CDMA carriers, and it is the most popular model being sold around the world. Like the corresponding iPhone 6S version, the A1687 doesn’t have the LTE band 30 (a new LTE band used by AT&T). The phone is available on Sprint, T-Mobile (locked and contract-free) and Verizon in the US, many carriers in Europe and Asia, as well as the Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program. Besides, if you pay full price for an unlocked version on Verizon or T-Mobile, you can be confident using it almost anywhere on the planet.

Here are some part numbers of the model.

T-Mobile (United States)

Sprint (United States)

Verizon (United States)

3. A1699: The model is sold in China and compatible with China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. It has the same specs as the A1687.

4. A1690: The iPhone 6S Plus A1690 is the exclusive model for China Mobile which is sold as an unlocked phone.

Do you have any question regarding those iPhone 6S and 6S Plus model numbers? Let me know in a comment below and I will try to give you an answer promptly.

Read also: Differences between iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Models (A1660, A1661, A1778, A1784, A1779, A1785)

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