The Verizon iPhone: Wait, or buy now?
Several Verizon Wireless customers have quizzed me since Tuesday’s announcement that Apple’s iPhone 4 will finally be available on the Verizon network. Folks want to know whether they should buy the Verizon iPhone that's coming out early next month or wait for the next version, which will probably run on Verizon's new, faster 4G Long Term Evolution network.
My answer usually depends on how eager the frustrated Verizon customer is to get a phone that's been exclusive to AT&T customers since its release in 2007. If that person really wants an iPhone now, I tell him to buy it now.
But, what if you're not too keen about having an iPhone that's tied to the current 3G Verizon network? Or that can't access voice and data at the same time? And what if you really want a screaming-fast smart phone?
Then you have choices.
You can:
— Sit back and wait for Apple to release its next version, which likely will happen this summer.
— Or opt for one of the new Google Android-based smart phones that will run on the Verizon 4G LTE network very soon.
Ten new 4G LTE devices that will run on the new network were announced last week during the International Consumer Electronics Show. I wrote about them here:
http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/onlineguy/A_glimpse_of_Verizons_new_4G_LTE_devices.html
While no timelines or pricing have been released about these slick, new, state-of-the-art smart phones, rest assured they will be available much sooner than the an iPhone running on the 4G LTE network. If things go as they have, customers will be able to upgrade or buy a new phone at a subsidized price of about $200 to $400 and sign a two-year contract.
That's another consideration for those wondering whether they should buy the 3G iPhone 4 now or hold off. Are you eligible for an upgrade? Verizon customers can get that question answered at the Verizon Wireless site:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/iphone.jsp
Other items of note about the Verizon iPhone 4:
— The phone’s exterior has some minor design changes. Buttons and switches are in different locations, so accessories, such as cases, will need to be specifically designed for the Verizon version. Accessories designed for the iPhone 4 won't work.
— The phone's antenna has been redesigned to function with the different technology. Some AT&T customers complained of dropped calls when the phone was held a certain way. Apple's remedy was to provide free cases, which helped eliminate the signal strength issue. Apple does not plan to include free cases with the Verizon version.
— The Verizon iPhone will include software to let the phone serve as a personal Wi-Fi hotspot and let you connect up to five devices to the Internet. There have been some reports of future upgrades to the firmware of the current, AT&T version to add this feature. Apple hasn’t announced anything about this.
— Data-plan pricing hasn't been announced. Some reports last week said Verizon would offer a flat rate for unlimited data consumption. Again, nothing is official.
— Current, upgrade-eligible Verizon customers can preorder the phone online at vzw.com on Feb. 3. Everyone else has to wait an extra week.
If you're itchin' for the iPhone, I say go for it. If you're patient, or just want to see what happens to the Verizon network when a clump of customers switch to the iPhone, sit back and watch the show. There will be an iPhone for you, eventually.
