News Analysis: Speculation abounds about the eventual release of a Verizon iPhone. With reports claiming production is already under way for a fourth-quarter release, it's time for prospective smartphone buyers to think about the potential opportunity presented by the availability of an Apple iPhone on Verizon's network.
Once again, rumors are swirling that a Verizon iPhone is being produced and
will be released later in 2010. Conspicuously missing from Steve Jobs'
Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, an Apple iPhone for the Verizon
Wireless network was one of the products that many consumers had been hoping
for.
It's
understandable. Unlike most countries around the world, the United
States is home to just one carrier that
offers the iPhone. And as Apple prepares for the release of the iPhone 4, the
company has so far been tight-lipped about the possibility of a Verizon iPhone
ever coming to store shelves.
But
more prudent observers know that eventually a Verizon iPhone will be coming to
the United States.
Not only will such a product appeal to those who have been waiting for it (for
too long), it will also help Apple attract more customers.
Luckily, the wait might soon be over. And now it's time to think
about some of the things consumers should be doing to prepare for the
eventual
release of the Verizon iPhone. Here are some things that consumers should
keep in mind.
1. Don't renew
The
last thing a Verizon customer who wants to buy an iPhone should do is renew
his or her contract. The problem with mobile contracts today is that they lock
customers into two-year deals. And as those who aren't lucky enough to be
within AT&T's six-month upgrade window know, getting an iPhone when not
eligible for two-year-contract pricing can be expensive. That's why current
Verizon customers need to stick with the devices they have now. Yes, a device
might be old and the HTC Droid Incredible
looks nice, but if customers upgrade now, the iPhone will be too expensive when
it hits store shelves.
2. Hold off on becoming a Verizon customer
Those looking to become a Verizon customer so they can get their
hands on a Verizon iPhone might want to follow a similar strategy. Becoming a
customer now would lock users into a two-year contract with a phone that they
don't want. And again, if they want to upgrade to an iPhone later in the year,
it will cost a pretty penny to do so. For now, the best move is to stick with
their current carriers. And then, if and when Apple announces that a Verizon
iPhone is coming, consumers can move to Verizon's service at that point. Moving
to Verizon now would be a major mistake.
3. Think twice about AT&T's iPhone 4
In
order to get the iPhone 4 from AT&T, customers need to agree to a new
two-year contract with the carrier. That's not a good thing for folks who are
still waiting for a Verizon iPhone. Customers who have gotten locked into an
AT&T contract will have a difficult time justifying leaving that contract
for Verizon. Not only would it cost them hundreds of dollars to get out of the
contract, it would also require them to buy another iPhone, since the AT&T
version won't work with Verizon's technology. The iPhone 4 might be the product
customers want, but if they plan on moving to Verizon in the next year, they
should keep away.
4. Check out service maps
Before deciding on the Verizon iPhone or AT&T's model,
customers should first consult service maps. Earlier in 2010, Verizon and
AT&T had a public spat over which company offered the best 3G coverage. But
the real judge is the user. For individual customers, the best service is provided
by the company that offers the best coverage around their home or office. If
AT&T's 3G doesn't work in their locality, but Verizon's does, maybe they
should wait for a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-based iPhone. But if
AT&T has better coverage in the area, it might be best to grab an iPhone 4 at
launch on June 24.
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