This is what I am thinking... Maybe this is for Sprint to have exclusive rights to the 4G version (iPhone 4GS). I could see this being the case, much more believable than their entirely own model.
- Joe
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Sprint Commits to Buying $20 Billion Worth of iPhones, To Get Redesigned iPhone 5 Exclusively?
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This is what I am thinking... Maybe this is for Sprint to have exclusive rights to the 4G version (iPhone 4GS). I could see this being the case, much more believable than their entirely own model.
- Joe
As of 3:15PM cdt., There is no mention of Sprint denying the report. What article did you read?
edit: Others already posted
Why only give it to Sprint? Because if you had given it to others, then updated it in a manner of months, people would be pissed?
That must mean that you either don't plan to upgrade the Sprint model (no LTE network yet), or you're giving them a wimax version. I have a hard time believing either, but them using wimax is even harder to believe.
Most 3GS users (at least anyone who bought in the first 3 months) are out of contract now. Free agents.
Plus, it might simply be a case of Spring getting the exclusive until the proper LTE chips are ready for Verizon and AT&T. So it's not really an "exclusive" as much as it is a "we're first out the door because our WiMAX chips are ready now."
Unless you think Apple should sit on the iP5 until everyone is ready when Sprint is willing to give them billions to have it now.
The rumor does sound a bit farfetched. However, everyone is crying out about the fact that Apple would not want to give the short end of the stick to the other carriers. Shall we quickly refer to the relationship between Apple and Samsung? It is questionable as to whether or not Sprint would actually get the iPhone 5, but I dont think Apple would really be considering anyones feelings when making that decision.
AT&T and T-Mobile use a technology that isn't "real" 4G but is faster than WiMAX is. It's called HSPA+, and pretty much all HSPA networks around the world are comptabile with it. Which is pretty much every non-Verizon network around the world that currently carries the iPhone 4.
If it weren't for the iPhone I'd have never left Sprint. Solid coverage, fantastic customer service whenever I had a problem.
I think I speak on behalf of all AT&T/Verizon customers in saying...
PLEASE NO iPHONE 5 EXCLUSIVITY!
PLEASE NO iPHONE 5 EXCLUSIVITY!
Yeah sorry but I'm not buying it. Sprint is even smaller than Verizon and they recently announced that they were going to launch an LTE network so why would Apple waste time doing a WiMax phone exclusively for them?
It made some sense to have a Verizon iPhone as they were in the top two carriers but Sprint is in third place and falling fast. Now the rumours are that the new iPhone will be both CDMA and HSPA+ so why would they bother with a Wi-max phone let alone exclusivity?
Apple also does not tend to have a lot of separate SKUs if they can avoid it.
I predict that the 3GS will be retired, there will be a low end 4S for emerging markets, a Mid-range 4S and a high end 5 for the world and the US on all carriers.
"There is no iPhone 5. Stop being stupid."
"There positively will be no iPhone 5 launched this year. Fail."
"Apple took 16 months and all we got was an iPhone 4S???"
That's all we heard from a large number of posters on this forum this weekend. Where are all those people now? This rumor cycle has been absolutely epic, and as an interested spectator I've really enjoyed it.
"There positively will be no iPhone 5 launched this year. Fail."
"Apple took 16 months and all we got was an iPhone 4S???"
That's all we heard from a large number of posters on this forum this weekend. Where are all those people now? This rumor cycle has been absolutely epic, and as an interested spectator I've really enjoyed it.
That presupposes that Apple intended to release a non-LTE iP5 with just HSPA+ tech -- if they did that, they'd have to release ANOTHER phone with LTE tech later.
This way, they can release 1 iP5 to Sprint w/ WiMAX (and cash that phat check for $20B), and release 1 world-band LTE iP5 for GSM and Verizon CDMA when the LTE chips are ready.
Huge win for Apple.
Not all exclusive deals are the same. In the earlier exclusive, AT&T got everything. Now, Apple will have the 3GS on AT&T, plus the cost reduced 4 and the high performance 4S on multiple carriers. An exclusive on yet another model on yet another carrier won't cut off the bulk of customers who are on other carriers. Might be smart to do it a completely different way.
Waiting another 3-4 months isn't as bad as Sprint subscribers. Sprint has waited over 4 YEARS just to get an iPhone. So you tell me, which subscribers has waited longer? Anytime a launch day product comes out, alot of them have the most problems at that point. Bugs need to get sorted out. Sprint users can just be used as the guinea pigs.
Money talks. And if you want to be the most successful, you will never have enough for it. But what is Apple's reasons for this? It has 20 BILLION REASONS. Some extra cash during all the lawsuits they are part in.
I actually like this idea just for the simple fact Verizon and AT&T can start dropping prices on their phone plans and this prevents a duopoly. I highly doubt this is true, but I won't act like some jealous ex-boyfriend (who recently got dumped) if it is.
This is like Apple's payback to Verizon and AT&T. Verizon has a big ego like Apple and rejected iPhone in the beginning since Apple's terms were so demanding. Apple's relationship with AT&T has been strained since the network and customer service has always been hated on.
When everybody in the party is GREEDY and ARROGANT, what can you do? Both carriers had their chance to please a high-maintenance girlfriend like Apple. AT&T still gets a bad rep for their dropped calls and Verizon used to attack Apple in ads with their Droid phones. Now another one wants to court Apple and pay them alot for it.
Money talks. And if you want to be the most successful, you will never have enough for it. But what is Apple's reasons for this? It has 20 BILLION REASONS. Some extra cash during all the lawsuits they are part in.
I actually like this idea just for the simple fact Verizon and AT&T can start dropping prices on their phone plans and this prevents a duopoly. I highly doubt this is true, but I won't act like some jealous ex-boyfriend (who recently got dumped) if it is.
This is like Apple's payback to Verizon and AT&T. Verizon has a big ego like Apple and rejected iPhone in the beginning since Apple's terms were so demanding. Apple's relationship with AT&T has been strained since the network and customer service has always been hated on.
When everybody in the party is GREEDY and ARROGANT, what can you do? Both carriers had their chance to please a high-maintenance girlfriend like Apple. AT&T still gets a bad rep for their dropped calls and Verizon used to attack Apple in ads with their Droid phones. Now another one wants to court Apple and pay them alot for it.
There's no way in hell Apple would choose for Spring to carry an exclusive. That would dramatically decrease sales for people on Verizon and AT&T.
Sprint subscribers, calm down with your premature orgasms. You aren't getting the iPhone 5 if Big Red and AT&T aren't. Common sense.
Sprint subscribers, calm down with your premature orgasms. You aren't getting the iPhone 5 if Big Red and AT&T aren't. Common sense.
Exclusivity is the wrong word -- Sprint would likely be getting the iP5 until the LTE chips are ready for Verizon / AT&T to get 4G phones.
Here's the choice:
1.) No one gets an iPhone 5 until the LTE chips are ready
2.) Sprint gets an iPhone 5 now w/ WiMAX, everyone else gets an iPhone 5 when the LTE chips are ready (plus Apple gets $20 billion in cash)
That's an easy one from Apple's POV and actually benefits anyone out of contract right now -- as they can all sign with Sprint if they want the iP5 now.
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I've been saying it from the beginning: there will be a redesigned iPhone 5 tomorrow.
Apple Big Mac said:
I've been saying it from the beginning: there will be a redesigned iPhone 5 tomorrow.