Apple to Offer a CDMA (Verizon) Version of Next iPad?

[MacRumors]

DigiTimes reports that Apple is expected to release three different versions of the next generation iPad in 2011. These include Wi-Fi, UMTS (3G) and CDMA versions with mass production starting as early as late January.

Apple will ship about 500,000-530,000 units to channels in January with shipment ratio of Wi-Fi, UMTS and CDMA models at 3:4:3, according to industry sources, citing upstream component makers.

Apple presently ships two distinct versions of the iPad in three different storage capacities (16GB, 32GB, and 64GB). The two current versions include a Wi-Fi only version and a 3G version which supports the AT&T network in the U.S.

Adding a CDMA version would allow the iPad to be sold on the Verizon network in the U.S. as well as other CDMA networks around the world. While mass production will begin in late January, the launch of the next iPad is expected "by the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second" according to DigiTimes' sources.

Article Link: Apple to Offer a CDMA (Verizon) Version of Next iPad?

 

[S.B.G]

This adds a bit more credibility to the CDMA iPhone rumors for next year. Exciting times!

 

[azentropy]

For the $130 price premium over wifi only versions they should be able to offer universal access (CDMA/GSM etc.)

 

[fabian9]

How big is the market for CDMA iPads? It's not a standard that's used in many other countries, is it?

 

[S.B.G]

How big is the market for CDMA iPads? It's not a standard that's used in many other countries, is it?

CDMA isn't as widespread across the globe as GSM is, but there are still plenty of countries where it is used.

 

[nitropowered]

yeah wondering why they couldn't have put in a hybrid umts/cdma chip that has been around the news ever since verizon iphone rumors started.

It would make it much more appealing and 3 less skus (assuming they continue with the three storage sizes)

 

[0038396]

ugh, why can't they just put both chips in a 3G version?
And I wish they would just future proof it and put in LTE
Why is the 3G version so much more expensive anyway?

 

[asdf542]

ugh, why can't they just put both chips in a 3G version?
And I wish they would just future proof it and put in LTE
Why is the 3G version so much more expensive anyway?

The 3G version also comes with GPS, which the Wi-Fi one does not.

 

[ccmovies]

Isn't CDMA 3G? I thought they would make them 4G and make them available on the LTE network for Verizon.

 

[bobrik]

Apple to Offer a CDMA (Verizon) Version of Next iPad?

"Verizon to offer a GSM version of their network" ... (just kidding , but would be better)

 

[numbersyx]

CDMA is a North American standard. The rest of the world uses GSM although the new standard LTE (4G) is more of a convergence of world standards. CDMA was essentially a North American standard competing with GSM. Don't really see the need for a CDMA version when most carriers in N. America are going to HSPA (3.5G) and then LTE....

 

[0038396]

The 3G version also comes with GPS, which the Wi-Fi one does not.

A GPS and 3G chip can't cost $130 can it?

EDIT:
according to iSuppli, (http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/Ne...eMaximumProfitsforApple,iSuppliEstimates.aspx) the difference between the two versions is only $23.30

 

[cvaldes]

How big is the market for CDMA iPads? It's not a standard that's used in many other countries, is it?

Correct.

About 10-15% of the world uses CDMA (that percentage is dropping every day). Everyone else uses GSM/UTMS.

 

[ThePimento]

If (when) Verizon starts to sell the new iPad, I hope they still have a bundle that's just the WiFi version + MiFi. It would be more useful for me to have the MiFi (to use my MacBook and other wireless devices) than a CDMA iPad.

 

[Dr McKay]

Is it annoying that completely different technology is used for phones?

Also has it taken this long for a Verizon iPhone because of the tech barrier? Or because Verizon want to slap a big logo on the iPhone and stick a bunch of pre-loaded Apps on it?

 

[NKT]

Correct.

About 10-15% of the world uses CDMA (that percentage is dropping every day). Everyone else uses GSM/UTMS.

Doesn't look like a negative trend to me...

http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/cdma_world_subscriber.asp

 

[rkw0211]

This really wouldn't be surprising at all considering it's not very "Apple like" to have to carry two devices around.

 

[cvaldes]

Isn't CDMA 3G? I thought they would make them 4G and make them available on the LTE network for Verizon.

Nah, Apple releases iDevices that work with the world's predominant cellular technologies, hence a 2.5G/EDGE iPhone in 2007 while the world was still building out their 3G HSPA networks.

While many of the world's cellular carriers have committed to LTE, there is only one major market where it is actively being deployed: the U.S. Everyone else is planning to build out LTE in 2012.

Heck, the LTE spec isn't even complete. And it is very ikely that the first-generation LTE chips (which aren't even on the market) will be expensive and power-hungry.

Based on their history, it is unlikely that Apple would offer any iDevice with LTE in 2011. There's a slight chance in 2012, but more likely they would not offer LTE-based iDevices until 2013.

 

[dethmaShine]

GSM is old but I feel like moving CDMA is going backward. TDMA is still a better algorithm in my opinion.

 

[peterdevries]

The 3G version also comes with GPS, which the Wi-Fi one does not.

A GPS chip costs less than 1$ nowadays.

 

[thetexan]

-CDMA will be around for a long time to come. These iPads will be in a dumpster long before CDMA is dead.

-The vast majority of Americans do not travel internationally or do not do it enough to base their cell phone buying on a global technology. Those who do travel internationally a lot will not get a CDMA device but there's a huge market of people who just don't give a damn about international compatibility, global standards, and what percent of the world's population uses what standards.

-CDMA is dying at the same time GSM is dying. LTE is not backwards compatible so from what I understand everything sold today will be a paperweight at some point in the future anyway.

 

[NKT]

GSM is old but I feel like moving CDMA is going backward. TDMA is still a better algorithm in my opinion.

Then why is Apple using CDMA (WCDMA)?

 

[johnnymg]

Doesn't look like a negative trend to me...

http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/cdma_world_subscriber.asp

Nice find! Thanks for posting real factual information (WHAT a concept) instead of unfounded BS and whiner bleetings.

cheers to the longs
JohnG

 

[gguerini]

I think Apple should get rid of the wifi only iPads. Just keep the 3G and possibly the CDMA version (why not a hybrid version?). It´s so not Apple to have 6 versions of the same product.

 

[Small White Car]

-CDMA will be around for a long time to come. These iPads will be in a dumpster long before CDMA is dead.

-The vast majority of Americans do not travel internationally or do not do it enough to base their cell phone buying on a global technology. Those who do travel internationally a lot will not get a CDMA device but there's a huge market of people who just don't give a damn about international compatibility, global standards, and what percent of the world's population uses what standards.

-CDMA is dying at the same time GSM is dying. LTE is not backwards compatible so from what I understand everything sold today will be a paperweight at some point in the future anyway.

Bravo.

Who are all these ninnies talking about a CDMA iPad being pointless?

Yeah, and lets ship the next Macbooks without USB ports because, you know, lightpeak is coming soon. Get real.