Yesterday I speculated that the CDMA iPhone would be hitting other carriers in the future since Verizon made it clear that it had a non-exclusive deal with Apple. Lo and behold, the hit-or-miss rumor mill known as Digitimes is reporting today that a CDMA iPhone will indeed ship to other countries and carriers.
Although the largest carrier in the U.S. uses CDMA technology, it’s less ubiquitous worldwide. However, in addition to the non-exclusive deal between Apple and Verizon, it seems unlikely that the former would be making CDMA iPhone models for Big Red only.
Digitimes reports:
Since Apple is also set to start supplying its CDMA iPhone to Japan and South Korea, the company’s iPhone shipments in 2011 are expected to reach a new record.
In addition to the aforementioned countries, China will be getting iPhone shipments, too. This is huge for Apple and iOS as it taps a large market that was once incapable of carrying the iPhone for purely technological reasons. Digitimes speculates that the additional shipments could total $1.9 – $2.1 billion for Apple’s manufacturing partners with the CDMA iPhone alone.
So, if you’re in a country where the predominant carrier uses CDMA technology, you may have your chance at the iPhone just yet.
[Via: Digitimes]