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Sprint Commits to Buying $20 Billion Worth of iPhones, To Get Redesigned iPhone 5 Exclusively?

RtodaAV said:
If apple only gives sprint the iphone 5....I'm done with them.
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Sure you are.


aoberoi said:
But then why would Sprint to release a device on WiMAX, one that would have sizable traction, while they are actively trying to transition their customers to LTE? (supposing that 2 years is how long it would take, but i personally believe that we will see Sprint releasing LTE phones much sooner)

I don't think it makes any sense to invest in R&D and make multiple device configurations if one of them (WiMAX) is a standard nobody plans on keeping around much longer. I'd rather beleive there won't be any 4G technologies on whatever comes out tomorrow, but it will be on offered on Sprint.
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I don't see Sprint actively transitioning to LTE for at least 2 years. They first need to get rid of iden completely which will happen most likely next year. Remember, their plan is to have LTE on the iden spectrum which would be great because of it's high building penetration.
 
If this is legit, I foresee a mandatory 3 year contract to get one of these iPhone 5 beauties.
 
RicoRich196 said:
Sure you are.




I don't see Sprint actively transitioning to LTE for at least 2 years. They first need to get rid of iden completely which will happen most likely next year. Remember, their plan is to have LTE on the iden spectrum which would be great because of it's high building penetration.
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Galaxy s 2 came out so I'm done if sprint get's it first.
 
First post here,

Someone probably already mentioned this, but the weird thing is that a poster in another thread a week or so back said that a Sprint rep/manager told him the same thing, that the iphone 5 would be a sprint exclusive. A couple of the other posters were ridiculing this info because it supposedly came from a rep; I actually was laughing at it too because it seems completely ludicrous. Seeing the BGR story is really strange though, and if its confirmed tommorrow, maybe reps/managers do have some sort of knowledge, or it could be just pure coincidence. Anyways, we'll all find out tommorrow.
 
aoberoi said:
But then why would Sprint to release a device on WiMAX, one that would have sizable traction, while they are actively trying to transition their customers to LTE? (supposing that 2 years is how long it would take, but i personally believe that we will see Sprint releasing LTE phones much sooner)

I don't think it makes any sense to invest in R&D and make multiple device configurations if one of them (WiMAX) is a standard nobody plans on keeping around much longer. I'd rather believe there won't be any 4G technologies on whatever comes out tomorrow, but it will be on offered on Sprint.
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Except that you're forgetting all the current customers who already have wimax phones. They have to support them. Also what should they do? Just sit back and wait and do nothing in that respect or release the best phone on the planet and the most wanted phone and be the only one's (Possibly, maybe, who knows?) with a 4G iPhone? They have to do as much as they can right now to differentiate themselves with as many features and benefits as possible to start making up for the $20BN investment. I think they have to continue business as usual until the network is set up anyway.
 
ALR26 said:
I hope BGR is completely wrong and this tarnishes their rumor reputation. If Sprint does become exclusive with the new iPhone, than I am going to question my loyalty with Apple for screwing us current AT&T and Verizon customers that are waiting for an upgrade.

All this waiting for Oct. 4th is turning my hair grey. lol
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When has Apple ever cared about people's loyalty? They're happy to screw people that are only 1 generation behind in order to push things forward.
 
Rizop said:
First post here,

Someone probably already mentioned this, but the weird thing is that a poster in another thread a week or so back said that a Sprint rep/manager told him the same thing, that the iphone 5 would be a sprint exclusive. A couple of the other posters were ridiculing this info because it supposedly came from a rep; I actually was laughing at it too because it seems completely ludicrous. Seeing the BGR story is really strange though, and if its confirmed tommorrow, maybe reps/managers do have some sort of knowledge, or it could be just pure coincidence. Anyways, we'll all find out tommorrow.
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Yep, I do remember that as well. Guess we will all know soon enough...Finally!
 
Smart move by Apple. Sprint will fold, Apple will take over Sprint, and Apple will become a mobile network provider. Take the middle man out of the picture, and control the iPhone from start to finish. From the production line, right to being the carrier. Google bought up a bunch of spectrum a few years ago, and Apple will top them by having a network in place.
 
If the US market ends up with Sprint having an exclusive on the iPhone 5, I'll be quite upset. I'd be a bit more ok if Apple sold an unlocked iPhone 5 off carrier's deal, then planned to release an LTE model for Verizon/AT&T for year next year.

But honestly, this whole rumor seems like a big step backwards from getting Verizon on board this year.

I'd be real upset if I have to import an iPhone 5 from Europe.(I'm assuming if Sprint gets the iPhone in the US, it will be released as a GSM device in Europe.
 
Sounds like a rumor from Wall Street to drive Sprint stock as high as possible for tomorrow morning if you ask me. Wasn't there just a story the other day that claimed Sprint would get the iPhone, "but not the iP5, only the iP4 initially. This is total BS, no way this pans out!
 
darster said:
Smart move by Apple. Sprint will fold, Apple will take over Sprint, and Apple will become a mobile network provider. Take the middle man out of the picture, and control the iPhone from start to finish. From the production line, right to being the carrier. Google bought up a bunch of spectrum a few years ago, and Apple will top them by having a network in place.
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No, I don't see it.

I don't think Apple is interested in owning and maintaining their own carrier and network ... it's not their style.
 
seven2k7 said:
Got to take into account all the 3gs people. They want market share. Right now T-Mo and Sprint are the only carriers not carrying the iphone. That alone are millions of users.
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True, but we have to consider. T-Mobile isn't officially carrying the iPhone. That doesn't mean that customers don't already have the iPhone on T-Mobile. ;)

Personally, I'm not surprised at the lack of T-Mobile rumors we've heard. All things considering regarding AT&T's acquisition of the company, and the fact that there are tons of T-Mobile iPhones roaming around, I wouldn't be surprised if T-Mobile didn't care about the iPhone for now.

All the Sprint rumors have credibility, though. It's almost a given that Sprint was getting it this Fall or next Spring. I think that if the price is right, I'd make the switch next Summer. Sprint coverage isn't great around upstate NY's more rural areas, but it's amazing in the urban spots, and the only place we don't get Sprint service is an area we rarely visit.

When Sprint gets the iPhone, I won't be crushed. Even if it were the iPhone 5 tomorrow. The article already mentions the fact that no one's contracts are up. It wouldn't make much difference no matter what iPhone Sprint got if we're all still locked in.

I'm considering T-Mobile more than Sprint, personally. I'm more concerned with overall monthly cost. Even if unlocking needs to get me to that point. If the deal is right with Sprint, by all means, that's great. I'll switch when I can. No sense losing sleep when I'm in a death grip contract until the Summer.
 
zap2 said:
If the US market ends up with Sprint having an exclusive on the iPhone 5, I'll be quite upset. I'd be a bit more ok if Apple sold an unlocked iPhone 5 off carrier's deal, then planned to release an LTE model for Verizon/AT&T for year next year.

But honestly, this whole rumor seems like a big step backwards from getting Verizon on board this year.

I'd be real upset if I have to import an iPhone 5 from Europe.(I'm assuming if Sprint gets the iPhone in the US, it will be released as a GSM device in Europe.
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Nope. Rest of the world would have the iPhone 4S as well, just like ATT and Verizon here in the States.
 
r.j.s said:
But, the Verizon iPhone 4 was not the 4V ...
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So what ? iPhone 4S makes as much sense as not releasing an iPhone 4V. There is nothing logical to these rumors and if Apple does release an "iPhone 4S", it makes no sense at all as far as naming conventions go. I'm sticking to my prediction. :p
 
r.j.s said:
No, I don't see it.

I don't think Apple is interested in owning and maintaining their own carrier and network ... it's not their style.
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I mean, they were considering it before the iPhone launched in 2007, so it's not past them.

But awkwardness of it would be massive, they'd be a network operator in one country, but a mobile headset maker in others? They'd hurt their US sale percentage, as I'm assuming they'd only sell it on their network. And what would be come of the rest of Sprint's line up and their current users? Or would Apple be supporting other mobile phones on their network?
 
KnightWRX said:
So what ? iPhone 4S makes as much sense as not releasing an iPhone 4V. There is nothing logical to these rumors and if Apple does release an "iPhone 4S", it makes no sense at all as far as naming conventions go. I'm sticking to my prediction. :p
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It absolutely makes sense:

iPhone 3G -> 3GS

iPhone 4 -> 4S

----------
zap2 said:
But awkwardness of it would be massive, they'd be a network operator in one country, but a mobile headset maker in others? They'd hurt their US sale percentage, as I'm assuming they'd only sell it on their network. And what would be come of the rest of Sprint's line up and their current users? Or would Apple be supporting other mobile phones on their network?
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Which is exactly why I don't see it happening ...
 
chrmjenkins said:
If this is all true and it actually works for Sprint, Hesse is going to need a wheelbarrow to cart his massive balls around in.
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It doesn't take balls to do something drastic when you have nothing to lose anyway. With out the iPhone, Sprint is DOA.
 
Krauser said:
As a Verizon customer who's been grandfathered into all of the things Verizon has taken from their users (such as cheaper messaging and unlimited 3G/4G data), this would be very disappointing news. I would almost rather there be no iPhone 5 announcement tomorrow with only a 4S than have an iPhone 4S for all and a 5 exclusively for Sprint. I couldn't see them putting all their eggs in one basket, especially not for their flagship device... what I COULD see however is a 4S for Sprint, as well as ATT and VZW, as a migratory device to keep those on Sprint happy with an iPhone on their network and a 5 later for all, so that Apple could maximize profits and keep everybody happy with the releases. It just doesn't make sense monetarily to me for Apple to release their flagship on such a comparatively small network whilst the current moneymakers (ATT and VZW) get stuck with disgruntled users angered at the decision, especially when ATT and VZW have more than enough competitive Android offerings that would likely be chosen by all but the most diehard Apple fans with available upgrades.
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$20 billion dollars. US Dollars. 20 billion of them.

That being said, hell no, Apple doesn't limit market growth.
 
ok so what fired up the iphone 5 talk, last episode left off at maybe only an iphone 4s?
 
r.j.s said:
It absolutely makes sense:

iPhone 3G -> 3GS

iPhone 4 -> 4S
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Only if you consider the iPhone 3G the 3rd iPhone, which it wasn't. ;) You should know better than that, come on. What were they going to name the 3GS ? the iPhone 3 ? Bad marketing, an iPhone 3G sounds superior to an iPhone 3.

iPhone 4S makes no sense, it has a negative connotation and suggests this is not a 5th generation iPhone. It's a bad marketing strategy.

Unless again : the iPhone 4S is actually the redesigned slimmer tappered design and the Sprint exclusive. The iPhone 5 is the 4 look-alike.

This is the only way the iPhone 4S make sense.
 
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