Verizon iPhone - Finally Here

Heh, the tidalwave of Apple fanbois commenting on that article makes it a funny read. CR is pretty spot on with the June/July thing, though; considering you're locked into a two year contract (and thus can't get a discounted new phone for two years), it would be more than a bit annoying to get a brand spanking new iPhone in mid February only to have a 4G version of the phone release 5 months later. Especially considering that the speed difference between 3G and 4G is almost an order of magnitude, with 4G clocking in at a theoretical max of around 100Mb/s (but in practice, around 10 Mb/s to 30 Mb/s). That's faster than my wired cable broadband!
 
Apparently LTE is much easier on Verizon's infrastructure, so they might have some incentive to get people using it as soon as possible. I doubt that means early iPhone purchasers will get some sort of deal, but stranger things have happened (iPhone on Verizon, for example).

Remember everyone, AT&T 4G is just a marketing gimmick, and even Verizon LTE isn't truly 4G. Do your research before buying a phone and marrying yourself to a carrier because they're trying to one-up the other carriers and essentially just confusing the average consumer. When the real 4G debuts, prepare to have even more confusion.
 
Apparently LTE is much easier on Verizon's infrastructure, so they might have some incentive to get people using it as soon as possible. I doubt that means early iPhone purchasers will get some sort of deal, but stranger things have happened (iPhone on Verizon, for example).

Remember everyone, AT&T 4G is just a marketing gimmick, and even Verizon LTE isn't truly 4G. Do your research before buying a phone and marrying yourself to a carrier because they're trying to one-up the other carriers and essentially just confusing the average consumer. When the real 4G debuts, prepare to have even more confusion.

Good point... although the FCC or ITU did finally rule that everyone can call their stuff 4g.. (HSPA+, LTE, WiMax)

Someday... true 4g!
 
Well for anyone who hasn't heard, the current rumor is that the announcement that Sprint is doing on February 7th is that Sprint is getting the iPhone 4 as well. Stay tuned.
 
Why release the iphone 4 when, several reputable sources suggest, a possible iphone 5 is being prepped for a summer release? Actually, I think I now the answer -- Verizon wants to lock into a 2yr contract the folks who've been itching to switch from AT&T or buy into the iPhone system the first moment it's available on Verizon. Still, even if Verizon doesn't get the iPhone 5 right away (at least when AT&T does), it seems odd to lock yourself into a phone that may only be a few months from being replaced. FWIW, there also seems to be rumors that the next version (I'll just continue to use the term "iPhone 5") won't have LTE/"4G"ish support, either. Just rumors at this point, however.
 
I've pulled back a lot from the excitement. Leo LaPorte had a great discussion about it. I'm learning to really like that guys take on things.
 
Well for anyone who hasn't heard, the current rumor is that the announcement that Sprint is doing on February 7th is that Sprint is getting the iPhone 4 as well. Stay tuned.

I am wondering if that is what they will say... but I really don't think so... the media invitations they sent out said it will be an "industry first", which rules out a CDMA iPhone.. so it would have to be a WiMax iPhone. Which I just don't see. And if it was the iPhone, why wait till Verizon launches theirs?
 
I am wondering if that is what they will say... but I really don't think so... the media invitations they sent out said it will be an "industry first", which rules out a CDMA iPhone.. so it would have to be a WiMax iPhone. Which I just don't see. And if it was the iPhone, why wait till Verizon launches theirs?

Yeah, I don't think Sprint is getting the iPhone either. I'm guessing that this February announcement is going to be that they will be the first carrier to sell the Blackberry Playbook tablet. In fact, I doubt they'll ever get the iPhone. Apple has made it no secret that they think LTE is the way forward and of course, Sprint uses WiMax instead...Obviously anything can happen at this point though.
 
I took the plunge after having shelled out for over two years on a barely ever used broadband card and am very pleased with my iPhone 4 on Verizon. iPhone vs. Droid, Ford vs. Chevy, it's all a matter of preference and I doubt you can really go wrong on either device with the one key exception being Radarscope for iPhone. There's always going to be something better, faster, sexier six months to a year down the road but for where I am at 450 minutes plus unlimited data and text for around $100 on my plan with the $20 no contract wireless hub option available, I'm content with what this device is capable of as is. I posted a blog with some thoughts.
 
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I would have LOVED to have gotten a 4G Android device but one of the most important things for me on a phone is battery life. I finally decided on the Verizon iPhone and so far I love it and it is doing everything quite well. With moderate use I can go the whole day without charging and for me that is important. I would not want LTE on this phone as I hear that really taxes the battery.
 
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