Here’s an interesting piece of speculation by The Loop. Jim Dalrymple believes that Apple has a CDMA iPhone 4 ready to go, but Verizon has yet to sign on the dotted line. His speculation follows the Bloomberg report that Verizon will start selling the iPhone 4 in January 2011.
Apple already has a Verizon compatible iPhone. It’s not that they have to rush around Apple HQ and start building the thing for a January launch with Verizon — it’s already there and being perfected all the time.
Here’s where my thoughts differ a little bit from Bloomberg. I don’t believe a deal has been finalized with Verizon. It’s reasonable to assume that the two companies are in negotiations and the Bloomberg article is just another negotiating tactic, but I don’t think a deal has been signed.
On one hand, you’re probably thinking that Verizon would be nuts not to make a deal for the most popular consumer smartphone on the market. On the other hand, Verizon is used to dictating terms and Apple is in an extremely powerful negotiating position. In case you have three hands, consider that Sprint — also a CDMA carrier — is desperate for new customers and Apple could dictate more favorable terms with it than Verizon.
I would love for Sprint to get the iPhone 4 over Verizon. On a personal level, it would be more affordable. From a verbal entertainer’s standpoint, it would make the market far more interesting. Despite the iPhone’s immense popularity, Verizon still has more customers than AT&T. Sprint is a distant third, but could conceivably close the gap in a very short time with the iPhone 4. It would just be fascinating to watch.
While I’m at it, here’s a poll for you:
[poll id=”57″]
I hope it goes to either. Clear up the ATT network some. I also think Verizon doesn't want to sign because Apple won't let them put any bullshit bloatware VCast crap on it. I'm sorry, I'm just very bitter about VZW. I really hope Apple breaks it off in them a second time.
I can't vote because "tied into an existing contract so I have no choice but to stay with my carrier" is not an option.
@N8R Of course you have an option. There's always early termination. I've always gotten the impression that AT&T is fine in your neck of the woods. Is that correct?
@ Ray
Yeah, it's pretty good. Maybe an intersection here or there that cuts it out in a few places, but I read in the local paper that AT&T is putting up even more towers locally to prevent that.
I can't afford an early termination. That's like an extra $400. My contract is up in Nov, but I REALLY don't want to go without a phone for 2 months JUST IN CASE these rumors are true.
@N8R
The ETF on your device should have been $175 and it goes down by $10 per month that you are under contract.
@ Smartguy
And I'm on a plan with my wife (i.e. 2 devices) and there seemed to be some sort of "shut off" charge of $30.
@N8R
I have never heard of a shut off charge. That sounds a bit suspect. Whenever I have bounced in between carriers on our family plan I pay the ETF for the line if I signed a contract and then that was that. ATT family plans aren't aggregate in their stipulations and penalties unless you go over your minutes. So basically you'd be terminating your line of service and it won't affect her. Trust me, I've done it quite a few times. I love new gadgets.
So since it is July your ETF would be $75 since 20 months * $5 per month = 100 ( i was incorrect with $10, that is their new ETF). Not a bad price for the 3G model. $275 lol.
@ Smartguy
Yeah, but how much would it be in January on top of buying my second iPhone 4?
@N8R AT&T recently raised their ETFs just before the iPhone 4 launch. Funny how that goes….
@ Ray
I can probably deal for another 2 years. I'm a fairly patient dude and I love to test my will power (I am a musician who has been faithful to the same woman for 10 years, after all).
I think the phones that will be out in 10 years will make me happy I waited. At least that's what my inner Buddhist is saying.
@N8R
Just be month to month for two months. When your contract expires that doesn't mean your service is terminated.
meh, I had sprint before and didn't care for it. Once Verizon gets the phone I'm all for it.