Verizon to pick up the iPhone in Q3 2010?

Previously leaked image of a rumored 2.8-inch iPhone touch panel

AT&T’s iPhone exclusivity deal, by most accounts, will come to an end in mid-2010. When that happens, iPhone fans hesitant to leave Verizon’s network might finally have a chance to put a Verizon iPhone in their pockets. In fact, according to a new report from OTR Global proves accurate, the iPhone might very well hit the Verizon Wireless network in the third quarter of 2010.

Word on the street has Apple putting in orders to build a batch of iPhones equipped with a new hybrid UMTS/CDMA chip capable of surfing Verizon’s CDMA network as well as the 3G UMTS networks already used by carriers like AT&T. Apple is said to have tapped Asustek subsidiary Pegatron to manufacture the new iPhone, rather than current iPhone manufacturer Hon Hai.

There’s also talk of the hybrid iPhone sporting a smaller 2.8-inch touchscreen. We’d previously seen leak photos showing the 2.8-inch touchscreen panel sitting next to the 3.5-inch panel used on all current iPhone iterations, but we’ve yet to see a smaller-screened iPhone come out of Apple’s R&D labs. Will the rumored hybrid iPhone be the first to hit market with a smaller touchscreen?

At this point, nothing is confirmed. But, with a little luck, we might see Verizon picking up the iPhone in the second half of next year. It’ll be interesting to see how that affects AT&T’s business next year.

The question is – will the prospect of a Verizon iPhone keep you from pulling the trigger on another AT&T iPhone or Verizon’s Motorola Droid?

[Via: AppleInsider]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

Dean Gustafson

I must be in the minority….I have no great problem with ATT and I love my iPhone. I was just OK with Verizon before I left my contract early to get the iPhone. ATT has a better website than Verizon to access your account and they they have far better customer service in their stores. Call quality is fine. Im happy.
Annaly

This would be great since my contract is up with Verizon in 2010. I really don’t want to go to AT&T.
HereWeGo

YES! I can’t wait to switch my 5 lines to Verizon. I have been wating for this day!
Eric

I think competition will be good for AT&T iPhone users. This may force AT&T to fix issues where service does not work well.
I have an AT&T HTC Tilt, and may get an iPhone… but not with Verizon Wireless – I’ve had too many issues with them in the past.
sunny

AT&T have been playing God, its time to outpace them.
Chris

I just bought the Droid and love it. I’m not so sure I would ditch this phone for the iphone. The customizable interface of the Droid is amazing. You can change anything about the phone and android is constantly getting better.
ew : : Player 3

Go back to Verizon??? Not a chance. Had way too many billing, coverage and customer service issues with them. Coverage may be better now, but I’m not going back to the billing nightmare; especially not at 300+ dollars in termination fees.

Good riddance though to the masses of people that will jump ship to Verizon and bog down their network. I’ll finally have some more bandwidth to play with when the load balances out between the networks.
AppleDroid

Don’t forget that laissez-faire OS and marketplace seen in Android is available on the iPhone through it’s jailbroken / hack community — equally impressive in it’s depth of UI skins and other customization / apps… Bottom line, Apple currently offers, while slightly hidden, all of Android’s “openess” but is unfortunately tied to AT&T.
km

Why the small screen? Stupid.
Melvin

Verizon claims to have 3G but their internet speed is no where near as fast as AT&T’s. Many want to believe the stupid biased commercials, and that’s cool; Ignorance to knowledge always turns the masses into a certain way. Verizon phones have propriatary OS that you can’t change. Verizon is about to instate a $300 cancelation fee? WTF?
Verizon doesn’t offer a good variety of phones.
AT&T provides service to 3 times as many smart phone users.
scott evil

Sorry guys. i left verizon before. I HATED their billing and service. I have NO issues with ATT and love my 32 gig 3gs. Will not be leaving for Verizon.
Melanie

I’m one of the many waiting for the Iphone at Verizon…I pray my 2+yr old Razr will last long enough!
Mary

I cant wait for verizon to get the iphone, i switched from at&t to verizon. I loveeeeee verizon—better service never had a problem with them. CANT WAIT!!!!!
Ed

So today is March 24 2010…when will iphone come to verizon? Will it ever happen? I’ve been waiting wayyy tooo longggg