In February 10, after putting Verizon cell phones for sale, now Verizon will start selling CDMA iPhone 4’s to be used on their network. It will be $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model, both with 2-year contract and required data plan. Same price as with AT&T.
Regarding the three changes… The good news is, Verizon iPhone will come with a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Meaning, up to 5 devices will be able to connect to the Verizon data network through your Verizon iPhone using its built-in WiFi. A similar feature for Android-based smartphones costs $20 per month but price for the iPhone hotspot has not been revealed yet.
With AT&T you can get a tethered data plan for $45 a month which is only a one-to-one connection, and not one-to-five as the Verizon.
The bad news, regarding the changes, is that Verizon’s CDMA network can’t handle data and voice simultaneously. So if you’re using a data connection, phone calls will go to voice mail. Likewise, if you’re on a call with somebody, you can’t just load up the browser and go to a website to look something up. This is because of Verizon, not the iPhone, mind you.
And the weird news regarding the third change, is how Apple apparently changed the antenna design… is this because of CDMA or because Apple themselves also believe there was (is?) a problem with the iPhone 4 antenna…? Even worse, Apple changed the placement of the mute switch and the volume buttons, so good luck getting your iPhone 4 case accessories to fit your Verizon iPhone.
More information & side-by-side images can be found here.
Finally, Verizon iPhone is running iOS 4.2.5. Not sure what the differences are, but I’m hoping that when iOS 4.2.5 arrives on the “normal” iPhone 4, that we will have Wi-Fi hotspot as well.
I am shocked that the verizon iphone is configured differently! I hadn’t heard that. I am regretting the purchase of my iphone in November…
It was only a matter of time before there were other networks with iPhone
How strange of Apple to change around the button placement, that’s a disaster for case developers and consumers.
So if CDMA can’t handle data and voice at the same time, what happens to apps that transfer data frequently, like Twitter and Facebook apps? Will app developers have to update their apps to hold off on data transfer of any kind until a call is finished?
I think waiting for next gen of iPhone (rumored iPhone5 ) is much more worth than this verizon iPhone 4
Day by day iPhone will extended with more features. But I like android.
As always..a fly in the ointment … Why should Apple have changes the configuration? And the absense of simultanious usage of voice calling and data spoils the picture. And what will be with iPhone 5 future? Even more questions appeared.
Yeah, that’s a pity. I don’t see why they had to move the buttons and change the antenna design on that one either.
As for the voice/data issue, keep in mind it’s a CDMA network issue – not iPhone specific.
I’m looking forward to the iPhone 4. I’ll be the first to buy it in the Netherlands. Let’s hope they don’t wait too long with the introduction overseas.
I don’t think you’re going to be the first one in the Nethelands to buy iPhone 4, as it has been available there for half a year already…. http://store.apple.com/nl/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone
I am excited about his but I think I will wait till the 2nd gen comes out for Verizon so i don’t have to worry about issues.
Hi
This is great and good to see iphone is growing and coming with great new features.
The fact that it can’t handle data and voice at the same time makes it a total fail.
Keep in mind, this is a Verizon network issue – not the iPhone!
I read on some other blog that there were some early speed tests that showed the 3G data speeds were roughly 50% of what the 3G seeds were on AT&T’s network.
No simultaneous data / voice would be a killer for me. That’s ridiculous.
Well this better iPhone one of which i have. I hope it will be in my pocket next month.
what will be with iPhone 5 future? Even more questions appeared.
I am not going to bother with the iPhone 4 verison as I think the iPhone 5 will most likely be released in the summer around June or July.
wow thts gr8…..finally ihpone on CDMA !! 😀
Even GSM is the widely used mobile network technology, CDMA is the best in the technology. It can provide you more clarity on voice and also get better internet browsing speed. So I believe its always better to go for this iPhone CDMA.
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