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Apple will release a new iPhone next summer that works on Verizon Wireless as well as all global networks, a report claims, citing sources in the Taiwan supply chain.
The report, via AppleInsider, also says that the new iPhone will be smaller than the current iPhone, including a smaller screen. And that it will be manufactured for Apple by a different supplier, a subsidiary of netbook-maker Asustek.
Assuming Apple does not renew its exclusive U.S. deal with AT&T, it makes sense that Apple would make an iPhone that could work on Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless carrier with 89 million subscribers. (Verizon uses a different technology than AT&T--CDMA--so Apple has to build a new kind of phone to work on the network).
Why should Apple make the iPhone available on Verizon?
* As we reported earlier this year, it would be ridiculously cheap for Apple to make a CDMA-friendly iPhone. Even switching the current iPhone to a CDMA version would probably cost only a trivial amount. Amol Sarva, CEO of mobile gadget startup Peek, pegs the cost at less than $5 million.
* It would be very good for sales. Even though AT&T has been a hugely successful partner for Apple in terms of overall sales in the U.S., most iPhone subscribers are still coming from within AT&T's ranks -- despite the fact that AT&T only represents about 1/4 of the total U.S. wireless subscriber base. There are millions of potential iPhone buyers at other carriers who have not bought iPhones, either because they are loyal to their current carriers or hate AT&T. Verizon could also probably steal some current iPhone subscribers from AT&T, given how lousy AT&T's data network has performed in key cities, such as New York City.
* It would be bad for the competition. Verizon and other carriers are finally now getting (and promoting) decent iPhone competitors, such as the new Droid series powered by Google. But if Verizon were to get its hands on the iPhone, it would probably favor that over the Droid, at least sometimes.
* What about waiting for 4G? Even if Apple waits for Verizon's "LTE" 4G network to be ready, it would need to be able to back up onto a 3G network for several years, for use in places where 4G service is not available or is not functioning. It's possible that Apple could push that roaming traffic onto AT&T or another GSM-based 3G provider. But it makes more sense to roam onto Verizon's CDMA network.
We're not personally thrilled about the idea of a smaller iPhone -- we'd even spring for a slightly larger one -- but it could probably find a happy audience of women, teens, and people with smaller hands. (It may also be popular in other countries where people tend to be smaller.)
Either way, it makes a lot of sense sense for Apple to sell a phone at Verizon as soon as possible.
We're not personally thrilled about the idea of a smaller iPhone -- we'd even spring for a slightly larger one -- but it could probably find a happy audience of women, teens, and people with smaller hands. (It may also be popular in other countries where people tend to be smaller.)
keep enjoying your crackberry. Eventually RIM will have to stop releasing the same crap. Sure the storm and storm 2 has touch but all their other models have that crappy scroll ball. I have a blackberry for work and an iphone for personal, I prefer my iphone 10fold. It has better email, internet browser, is more user friendly and the touch screen is the up to date tech. Scroll balls are old and so is the bb software...the browser is crap and so is the email. I have a BB curve BTW.
Looks like Ill be heading back to VZ when this happens. Im a bit weary that theyll lock down the features more then ATT though since they love to strip phone features.
keep enjoying your crackberry. Eventually RIM will have to stop releasing the same crap. Sure the storm and storm 2 has touch but all their other models have that crappy scroll ball. I have a blackberry for work and an iphone for personal, I prefer my iphone 10fold. It has better email, internet browser, is more user friendly and the touch screen is the up to date tech. Scroll balls are old and so is the bb software...the browser is crap and so is the email. I have a BB curve BTW.
Looks like Ill be heading back to VZ when this happens. Im a bit weary that theyll lock down the features more then ATT though since they love to strip phone features.
who can blame them? I love to strip phone features.
If the screen is smaller, it may still have the same, or a higher resolution, than the current iphone, which will allow just as much screen real-estate.
I'm not too sure how well a smaller keyboard will work, though. The one on the iPhone now is fine... getting smaller than that may cause issues.
If it was a slider like the Droid, they may be in business.
All in all, I'm not too excited about this release. The iPhone is old news. The Apple Tablet needs to come out already and be embedded with some CDMA love.
keep enjoying your crackberry. Eventually RIM will have to stop releasing the same crap. Sure the storm and storm 2 has touch but all their other models have that crappy scroll ball. I have a blackberry for work and an iphone for personal, I prefer my iphone 10fold. It has better email, internet browser, is more user friendly and the touch screen is the up to date tech. Scroll balls are old and so is the bb software...the browser is crap and so is the email. I have a BB curve BTW.
Looks like Ill be heading back to VZ when this happens. Im a bit weary that theyll lock down the features more then ATT though since they love to strip phone features.
without turning this into another IPhone vs Blackberry debate.. i will just say.. enjoy your IPhone Sir
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Rumors. Strictly rumors. It could happen, but due to the fact that the putz CEO from Verizon basically told Apple to take a hike a couple of years ago, I don't see it happening.
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No, "many" verizon phones can't be used outside of the US...mainly those with expensive dual mode CDMA/GSM chips....on the Verizon site that is BB's, and a few Samsung and HTC smartphones. A CDMA Verizon phone locks you down to the US pretty much.
No, "many" verizon phones can't be used outside of the US...mainly those with expensive dual mode CDMA/GSM chips....on the Verizon site that is BB's, and a few Samsung and HTC smartphones. A CDMA Verizon phone locks you down to the US pretty much.
Well, probably because you're missing the actual argument entirely even though I just restated it. I'll help you again:
"The only thing that makes me wonder about this is that any Verizon iPhone can only be sold in the US because few if any other countries in the world use their technology. Can US only sales present enough of a value case?"
I guess if you're on Verizon 8 phones seems like a lot of choice.....
This is "COMPLETELY" dependent on how apple implements the hardware, believe it or not you can do a CDMA/GSM phone, I have one at work that I use to travel when I have to go out of the country. It simply uses a SIM card/GSM when I'm overseas vs. CDMA when I'm local.
Until someone gets one in their hands to see what/how the chipsets are implemented noone will know how this phone is going to work.
ATT phones will work internationally on GSM networks. You can buy a plan to allow international roaming and for some phones they will unlock them for you.
You are much better off going with a local provide and swapping out the SIM for the short term.. My $900 iphone bill while in CA is proof of that.
Report: Apple to launch Verizon iPhone for 2010
