Verizon customers; Your iPhone awaits

[Eri]

We've waited and waited, and now Apple and Verizon have made a million dreams come true: the iPhone is coming to Big Red. After talking up his new LTE network a bit, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam confirmed a CDMA (non-LTE) version of the iPhone 4 is coming to Verizon Wireless next month. Talks started way back in 2008, and the phone has been in testing for a year -- it sounds like they wanted to get this one right. Current Verizon customers will be able to pre-order on Feburary 3rd for the standard $200 price for the 16GB model on a two year agreement, $300 for the 32GB version -- everyone else can order on February 10th (see it compared with AT&T's iPhone 4). Just to clarify and put any wild rumors to bed, the phone is Verizon 3G (EV-DO) only, no 4G data or GSM roaming. It's not a world phone or an AT&T + Verizon phone, it's just a Verizon phone.

Outside of Verizon connectivity, the phone is basically unchanged, although Verizon's CDMA network doesn't support simultaneous voice and data as with the GSM version. It does have the new antenna design we were hearing about last week, but that's just because CMDA requires a different configuration of antennas. (Apple says they didn't go LTE just yet because first-gen chipsets would force unwanted design decisions, and customers want a Verizon device now.) That slight modification also equates to a slight bump in where the volume buttons and mute switch -- a new case might be required. Software-wise the big innovation is five user WiFi hotspot functionality, something that's standard on Android phones, while Apple has kept the iPhone only able to tether directly to one computer.

Will you be getting one? Perhaps some ATT customers here will move over? Maybe this doesn't interest you at all? Maybe you'll wait for the fifth iPhone? Share your thoughts~

 

[twistedheat15]

ANDROID ONRY!! But I know a lot who will switch, most hate AT&T and only stay because of iphones so unless att is having some special exclusives with it they might be fcked in the long run.

 

[antidonkey]

Meh. I'm still not willing to deal with apple's crap when it comes to the Iphone so I'll keep my android phone and upgrade to another android phone when the time come. I'm quite interested to see how many people jump ship from ATT though.

 

[HungryHungryHobo]

I have been waiting for this for a while since I feel like the android apps and phones while close approximations still don't have the same level of quality for me so I will be switching to an Iphone now that it is on verizon but still going to wait for my contract to be up.

 

[captainwolfos]

Eh, I'd only got the iPhone 3GS mid last year, and I'm still unimpressed with Apple products.
I'm only keeping the damned thing because I'm stuck with it for now. I very much doubt I'm ever going to willingly buy another overprice gimmicky Apple swiss army knife with only two user-allowed functions ever again.

 

[Space Spoons]

As a guy who just likes gadgets in general, I'm sorely tempted, but I have to admit, there's really no reason for me to invest in an iPhone. I really only use my phone to make calls and send text messages. I have no use for apps, or mobile Internet, or any of the other perks of the modern smartphone.