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Aha! iPhone 5 does exist!

Arn, our bet was centered on the existence of iPhone 5, not carrier exclusivity ;)


But hold on a second. Does Apple really need to do another carrier exclusivity? God damn... how is it a world phone if they keep it carrier exclusive?
 
Sorry but given that Apple is working hard to break into new regions globally and given that the majority of their sales are now outside of the US, I find it incredibly hard to believe that they would risk an exclusive deal with Sprint, the third largest carrier in the US and potentially piss off their other partners and the global customers.
 
I'm in for Sprint

This is unbelievable. But if it's true, that would be great. I don't like ATT with their spotty 3G service.
 
If anything I think it would be the other way around sprint 4s and Verizon/At&t iPhone 5
 
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I am soooooo glad all this speculation will be over in less than 24hrs. I'll be landing in Dubai just in time to be glued to the different sites covering the event.

And for all those of you with wagers, all the best!

And for all of you "moving on" to galaxy and other devices: so long suckers. Lol.
 
Interesting. The rumors are really becoming confusing with reputable news sources weighing in. I'll be glad when tomorrow comes and everything is out in the open. The credibility of information right now despite the source is questionable at best.
 
Apple is going to give Sprint an exclusive on iPhone5????

Holding aside the question of whether there even is going to be an iPhone5 announced tomorrow, I'm supposed to believe that Apple is going to forgo a bazillion dollars in sales through AT&T and Verizon for a 20 billion dollar contract with Sprint?

Unless Apple has suddenly become a charitable non-profit all of a sudden - no ****ing way!!
 
I can see there being an element of truth in this story but I'm not sure I buy the implication that the iPhone 5 will be WiMax and exclusive to Sprint (although if that does happen I'd consider it as I'm frankly tired of AT&T and Verizon isn't much better).
 
I personally think Sprints network sucks. I cant possibly see Apple giving exclusivity to them which would hurt overall sales. I think that would piss off a large number of customers that they've worked hard to obtain over the years. Its not like Apple is hurting for the money. Sprint may be hurting to gain share, but I dont think Apple would play that way.
 
At this point i'm just gonna shut my eyes and ears to rumours and wait and see. In the interim...

Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala
 
You also have to take into account that people who got the iPhone 4 when it first came out went with the only option: AT&T. Some of us couldn't care less about breaking a contract. I saw no reason to pay an arm and a leg to ditch AT&T for the exact same phone on Verizon for the same monthly bill with fewer features, but I'll pay it to get a newer iPhone on anything other than AT&T.

People didn't switch to Verizon in droves because it was the same phone. People will switch with the new iPhone.
 
not an exclusive

Sprint probably had to commit to apple to buy some dollar amount of iphones before they set up a production and support for that carrier
 
BGR's rumor record has been spotty over time, and it's hard to imagine Apple making this move. Still, we mention it for interest and discussion in the lead up to tomorrow's media event.

Spotty is an understatement.
 
I'm really torn right now... on one hand, it's the WSJ. They speak volumes and don't usually open their mouths unless they're very sure of their sources.
Note there are 2 rumors here.

1. WSJ: Sprint committing $20 billion to Apple
2. BGR: Sprint as an iPhone 5 exclusive

They are separate sources, and honestly, of separate believability. But tied together in reasoning. Sprint is supposedly paying this $20 billion to get exclusivity.

arn

Great point, arn. The WSJ isn't saying anything about a special iPhone 5 for Sprint. All they are saying is that Sprint has committed to buying $20 billion of iPhones. Here's what I think:
  • Sprint is definitely betting the farm on the iPhone, and will keep its unlimited data plan as a differentiating point to AT&T and Verizon.
  • They are committing a lot of money on it (the $20 billion the WSJ is reporting)
  • It is unlikely that Sprint is getting a special iPhone 5 just for itself. There simply is no reason for Apple to make a phone for the distant third largest carrier in a single market.

Remember, Sprint is vigorously fighting the AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile. They are on the ropes themselves and need to stay in the game. Going all in on the iPhone is one potential way, albeit risky.
 
WOW Was not expecting any of this... My contract is up with AT&T I would happily switch carriers if Sprint got The Legendary iPhone 5 as en exclusive. AT&T has been really letting me down, a lot of "Searching" and "No Service" and 1 Bar moments... I can't even get Texts and I live near Chicago... WTF AT&T!!!! :mad:
 
Sorry but given that Apple is working hard to break into new regions globally and given that the majority of their sales are now outside of the US, I find it incredibly hard to believe that they would risk an exclusive deal with Sprint, the third largest carrier in the US and potentially piss off their other partners and the global customers.

If they do an exclusive with Sprint it will probably only be a US exclusive. The rest of the world will still get an iPhone 5.
 
Hats off to Sprint if they can really pull this off.

Its a VERY bold move; and not only that; it would be extremely difficult for Sprint to convince Apple of this venture too... so really hats off for them if they can really pull this off.

Then comes reality. Chances of this happening is slim considering Apple's position and Sprint's positions. I don't think Sprint is in the position to negotiate this terms with Apple... if I'm wrong; kudos' to you Sprint.
 
wouldn't this be a win-win scenario for apple?

apple gets guaranteed money, plus a quarter or so of advertising from sprint showing how amazing this new handset is. meanwhile potential iphone 5 customers will be chomping at the bit to buy one when it "come's to at&t and verizon in the first quarter of 2012".
 
Can't see this happening - Sprint's network is absolute trash in the majority of areas.

I can see the smaller networks getting the iPhone - that makes perfect sense. Giving an exclusive deal to one of them when there network is nowhere near prepared for that? Not going to happen.
 
This is the first thing that I have ever heard that would make me THINK about getting a droid... and that is sad
 
I think this might bring some substance to...

iPhone "4S" is Sprint exclusive iPhone 4 hardware with upgrades (8MP, A5, etc, WiMax?). Couldn't this be why the leaked 4S pointer in iTunes could point to the already existing CDMA icons? New model numbers for the 8GB iPhone 4 on CDMA/GSM in the N90 and N92 variants. iPhone 5 completely concealed (magically) with announcement tomorrow and release by the holidays.
 
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