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Verizon iPhone: SVDO interim device or wait until 2012

Verizon iPhone: SVDO interim device or wait until 2012

We’ve been bringing you all the latest news and speculation regarding a Verizon iPhone for as long as we can remember. In fact we recently did an article about the Verizon iPhone being a “rumor that never dies.”

Much of the recent evidence suggests a January release and then last week we noted in an article that although most people thought a Verizon iPhone would be the same as the iPhone 4, under a different name, it might in fact be quite different. Even more recently we pointed out that the latest beta of Apple iOS 4.1 is currently being tested on some devices including one listed as “unknown hardware,” leading to more speculation that this could be the Verizon iPhone.

Now an article over on AppleInsider by Neil Hughes says that according to one Wall Street analyst a deal between Apple and Verizon is still being “ironed out.” Apparently Kaufmann Bros’ Shaw Wu said in a note to investors that he expects Apple to deal with another U.S. carrier for the iPhone next year and the main carrier in contention still appears to be Verizon.

In fact the current talks between Apple and Verizon surround a “SVDO” iPhone, which could result in a CDMA phone, compatible with the Verizon network, capable of simultaneous voice and data. Traditional CDMA phones on the Verizon network are not capable of allowing voice and data at the same time.

Wu however notes that this may not happen until 2012 and that it’s possible that Apple may release an iPhone with another carrier such as Sprint or T-Mobile before Verizon gets it. If Apple signed up with both Sprint AND T-Mobile that would be almost as many customers as if they deal with Verizon in fact. The other thing for Apple to consider is if it’s worth bringing out an interim CDMA phone for Verizon in 2011, or would it be better to wait until 2012 when it would be able to offer an LTE 4G phone when the network should be ready.

The one thing that’s sure is that AT&T iPhone customers are reaching saturation point for the network and that Apple definitely needs to expand to a new carrier. For more on this go to appleinsider.com. What do you think about this latest speculation on a Verizon iPhone?

[Thanks: http://www.onlykent.com]

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