Apple Reportedly Orders CDMA Chips for December Production Run of Verizon iPhone

[MacRumors]

Yes, it's the subject that's been beaten to death: a Verizon iPhone. The ongoing rumors have been stoked in recent weeks by a claim from Bloomberg that the device will launch in January, with this week's announcement that Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg will offer the keynote address at CES 2011 sparking speculation that an iPhone introduction could occur there.

TechCrunch weighs in today with new claims that Apple has placed a large order for Qualcomm CDMA chips to be deployed in an iPhone production run scheduled for December. The claims come from a source reportedly familiar with the supply chain logistics for the CDMA-based chips that would be required for a Verizon iPhone.

Sources with knowledge of this entire situation have assured me that Apple has submitted orders for millions of units of Qualcomm CDMA chipsets for a Verizon iPhone run due in December. This production run would likely be for a January launch, and I'd bet the phone is nearly 100% consistent with the current iPhone 4 (with a fixed internal insulator on the antenna).

As the report notes, the evidence does not guarantee a Verizon iPhone launch in January, "but all of the signals point that way", adding another claim to the growing chorus of reports suggesting that a launch is coming early next year.

AT&T has already moved to downplay the risk to its bottom line posed by the loss of its exclusivity for the iPhone in the U.S., noting in its latest quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects no "material negative impact" from the expiration of its exclusive handset distribution agreements.

"We do not expect any such terminations to have a material negative impact on our wireless segment income, consolidated operating margin or our cash from operations," AT&T said in the filing with regulators on Friday.

AT&T also reiterated its position that AT&T customers will not defect to rival carriers in large numbers once the iPhone goes non-exclusive, claiming that 80% of customers are on family or business plans that make it difficult for them to switch.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Orders CDMA Chips for December Production Run of Verizon iPhone

 

[Merthyrboy]

Maybe the white one is the verizon iPhone ???

 

[dvince2]

At this point, I hope you guys finally get the iPhone on Verizon. I couldn't care less about the carrier or AT&T; I just want , for the sake of the rest of the world, to stop hearing about it.

 

[MarximusMG]

This just made my day. Renewed hope!

 

[Flhusky]

Isn't this dead horse beat so badly that they are now just hitting bone dust in the sand?
Maybe, they are for VzW iPad, I'm about 1000% more likely to buy an iPad then a iPhone.

 

[Drag'nGT]

I hope this is true for all the customers and Apple. Those of us who are happy with AT&T can stay and the ones that are ready to go back to VZW can do so.

It'll be a huge win for Apple and have them move even higher up in market share. The question now will be which phone is faster and which company will push their data network the fastest. Let's not forget the potentially better rate plans... We can hope right?

AT&T does have one thing correct though. People will not jump ship in droves. AT&T got them all to buy the i4 early and locked them in. Most will stay because of service agreements and such. After that though... I'd say 35% of the current iPhone owners will defect to VZW. I hope AT&T takes notice.

 

[Karvel]

A different CHIP? I'm sure here in the UK for phones to work on all the major networks (carriers) they can stay the same?!

 

[Drag'nGT]

Isn't this dead horse beat so badly that they are now just hitting bone dust in the sand?
Maybe, they are for VzW iPad, I'm about 1000% more likely to buy an iPad then a iPhone.

They just keep guessing to ensure they'll get it right eventually.

A different CHIP? I'm sure here in the UK for phones to work on all the major networks (carriers) they can stay the same?!

America likes to be difficult. VZW and Sprint are CDMA unlike the rest of the world on GSM. Although that water is getting muddy lately with 4G.

 

[Surely]

Or maybe these chips are for iPads and not iPhones.

 

[3583582]

A different CHIP? I'm sure here in the UK for phones to work on all the major networks (carriers) they can stay the same?!

Yeah, same..pretty much everywhere. But the US is stupid as usual (just kidding..just kidding), so they use different systems different carriers..

 

[Cynicalone]

This is becoming like the Beatles on iTunes rumor it will never die.

 

[alphaod]

Maybe we'll get iPhones that take both SIMs and CSIMs.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I think that they need to.

I know immediately of four long time iPhone users who have left behind their iPhones because of the poor AT&T service in our area. I bought out my AT&T contract because my primary uses for the phone requires network connectivity. I was a huge iPhone fan and bought a new one every year until I skipped the 4, but I have to say that my transition to my current Droid X has shown me some of the software freedom that the iPhone was missing and I am not 100% sure that I will switch back to an iPhone even if it comes to Verizon because my Droid is awesome too. It is better in some ways and not as good in other ways. But, Apple needs to hurry up and end the exclusive relationship with AT&T because otherwise the growth of the iPhone will stop and they will start seeing negative growth. The exclusive AT&T deal is actually the root cause for the Android platform to mature, because what started as a platform to answer iPhone envy has rapidly become a great competitor.

 

[tofagerl]

You know, USA, you CAN actually agree on _one_ mobile standard without commiting the ultimate sin of Socialism.
Think about it...

 

[bwillwall]

Maybe the white one is the verizon iPhone ???

That would be the worst thing apple would have ever done. I really doubt it.

 

[LeroyTheGreat38]

I'm a Verizon customer and I would love to have the iPhone on Verizon. But I am so tired of hearing these rumors. I don't even get excited anymore.

Maybe the white one is the verizon iPhone ???

I hope not...I hate that thing

 

[aimbdd]

America likes to be difficult. VZW and Sprint are CDMA unlike the rest of the world on GSM. Although that water is getting muddy lately with 4G.

um except there is other carriers around the world that use CDMA... it will open choices up even more in some countries.

 

[theOtherGeoff]

unless the chip supports...

...LTE, I'm unlikely to believe it. Apple will require all phones to be be able to simultaneiously deliver data and voice services, Something CDMA2000 1X (without Advanced Specifications) cannot do.

 

[bludodge]

It'll happen. Smart move by ATT to let anyone with a contract that expired in 2010 to renew now with no fees. Locking them in to a new contract before they other could jump ship in 2011, unless they wanna break away and pay the higher early termination fees.

 

[racer1441]

This would be great.

I love my iPhone, but also carry a verizon phone. I'd love toe rocking a iPhone on both carriers.

 

[xyz1534]

Here we go again...please just release it on Verizon, T Mo, Sprint, Metro PCS etc so that we can lay this rumor to rest...

 

[stevensocal]

Verizon or at&t

Does it really matter ? come on ? Think about it ? Verzion has never had the iphone and frankly I can't wait for them to get it ? Being the fact it will be a CDMA phone as mentioned in this article .. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, lets see , isn't verizon switching there systems to LTE network ... What's that going to do for the NEW VERIZON IPHONE ? ? Hmmmmmmmm, make it useless soon ??? I have had both services and there is positives and negatives to both. People only see the negatives and if you are a AT&T hater , after Verizon gets the Iphone , you might become a Verizon Hater as well. WE all know it depends where you are with you phone , how great your service can be , so stop bashing AT&T cause, Verizon has it's issues too. JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE

 

[NC MacGuy]

um except there is other carriers around the world that use CDMA... it will open choices up even more in some countries.

Like China?

It's coming in Jan., Apple has finally got the upper hand in negotiations and it's a win win for both companies now. A lot has changed in four years and it would be ridiculous to think iPhone wouldn't eventually go to the highest rated provider in the U.S.

This is one reason both Verizon w. Droid X and AT&T are locking people into contracts with early upgrades.

 

[eng42ine]

I'll believe it when I see it...

 

[Diode]

I'm so happy AT&T never extended my contract when I ordered the iphone4. Switching to Verizon as long as the cost is somewhat comparable....

I'm also one of the 80% of the customers on a business plan but we also get a discount for Verizon.