Finally, the rumors are over! Proof is here and thankfully we don’t have to wonder anymore. Apple and Verizon have confirmed today that the iPhone is coming to Big Red. Verizon CEO Lowell Mcadam was the one who confirmed that a CDMA (non-LTE) version of the iPhone 4 is coming to Verizon Wireless next month, expect it by February 10, 2011.
Remember when we wrote an article way back when saying that there were some of our Verizon Representatives “testing” the iPhone? Well that was true! In fact, Engadget even mentions they knew of this testing as well which started back in 2008. Now you ask why did they test it for so long? They don’t want the network to be unprepared. Simple as that. AT&T says that Verizon can’t handle it, we will see!
The phone will officially be launching on February 10th for the standard $200 price for the 16GB model on a two year agreement. Also available for $300 will be the 32GB version. It will be a Verizon 3G (EV-DO) only, no 4G data or GSM roaming. Also announced was that it’s only a CDMA device, not a world edition.
What’s interesting and what a lot of people argued was that this phone will be completely mocked up for Verizon only. Some said there will be so many changes made that it will not even be like an iPhone. Well, that’s wrong! According to the announcement today, the phone is basically unchanged, although Verizon’s CDMA network doesn’t support simultaneous voice and data as with the GSM version. Engadget states that it does have the new antenna design but that’s just because CMDA requires a different configuration of antennas.
Now you ask why aren’t we getting an LTE iPhone? Apple says they didn’t go LTE just yet because they need more time basically to have a great design. This is just a sign that the LTE iPhone for Verizon may be in the works now. They went on and released the CDMA now because so many people are desperate to have a Verizon iPhone now.
Were not sure if there is a fee for this, but Verizon and Apple also revealed that the new CDMA iPhone 4 will act as a mobile WiFi connection for up to five devices. It’ll come with an iOS-specific version of the Verizon 3G Mobile Hotspot allowing laptops and more to go wireless via your iPhone.
To sum it all up, basically we have an iPhone 4 almost identical to AT&T’s iPhone, only big red put it on the CDMA network with a few tweaks to make it work. Does that sound like what it is to you? It does to me? Who’s going to get one of these or will you wait for the LTE version they seem to be thinking about? I want to know what you think and what your plans are if you are making a move!
Source: Engadget