The Verizon iPhone rumor just won’t stop and now we’re hearing reports that Apple is in the late-stage testing for its smartphone on the largest mobile operator in the United States.
The Boy Genius is reporting that Apple has a CDMA smartphone which in in “AP” testing mode, which is the last stage before a retail product. This grooves well with the multiple rumors which indicate an early 2011 release date is in store.
– The iPhone 3,2 could be the mythical CDMA + GSM/HSPA device that would support Verizon, AT&T, and the other current worldwide iPhone 4 carriers frequencies. The mid-cycle refresh would bring an updated antenna design for the current iPhone 4 and bring CDMA-compatibility; essentially, Verizon Wireless subscribers would have the same device as AT&T subscribers.
– The iPhone 3,2 could be a CDMA-capable iPhone that houses a SIM card for global roaming capabilities; though that certainly seems more complicated than just having one single glove that would fit both hands.
– One last possibility that the iPhone model 3,2 would simply be a slightly different design that doesn’t suffer from the same antenna attenuation as the current model; though that would be a little disappointing.
The report also said that the next GSM Apple smartphone is in the “EVT” stage of development, which is about what you’d expect. Interestingly, I think this was the stage the last Apple smartphone was at when it was lost at a bar. So, keep an eye out at your Bay Area watering holes.
This device would undoubtedly sell like hot cakes and the Android experience may have prepared the network for the glut of Apple users. It also looks like the device will be 3G-only, which could be a major negative for early adopters who want smartphones which can utilize Verizon’s upcoming LTE 4G network.
Verizon users, are you super excited for an Apple smartphone for Big Red?
[Via BoyGeniusReport]