Verizon iPhone Release Set For Early 2011, WSJ Reports

UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal has rewritten the lede to its story on Verizon getting the iPhone in early 2011, sparking speculation that the latest "Verizon iPhone" rumor is part of a controlled Apple leak.

As Boy Genius Report points out, the iPhone story first read: "Apple Inc. plans to begin mass producing a new iPhone by the end of 2010 that would allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smartphone early next year, said people briefed by Apple."

The lede to the article was later rewritten to state, with a hint of more certainty, that Verizon was to offer the iPhone. It now reads, "AT&T Inc. is about to lose its lock on the iPhone. Apple Inc. is making a version of its iPhone that Verizon Wireless will sell early next year, according to people familiar with the matter, ending an exclusive deal with AT&T and sharpening the competition with Google Inc.-based phones."

TechCrunch notes, "Today’s Wall Street Journal report about Verizon readying to launch the iPhone in early 2011 has all the makings of a good old Apple-controlled leak once again. And so it may be time to really believe."
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The long-rumored Verizon iPhone may be on the horizon, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Citing "people briefed by Apple," WSJ said that "Apple Inc. plans to begin mass producing a new iPhone by the end of 2010 that would allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smartphone early next year." WSJ went on to say the following:

The new iPhone would be similar in design to the iPhone 4 currently sold by AT&T Inc. but would be based on an alternative wireless technology called CDMA used by Verizon, these people said. The phone, for which Qualcomm Inc. is providing a key chip, is expected to be released in the first quarter of next year, according to the same people.

The same sources also told WSJ that Apple may be currently working on an iPhone 5 model, though few details were given. Apple, Qualcomm and Verizon all declined comment. In September, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg told investors that a partnership between Apple and Verizon may be farther away than reports have indicated. "We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit," Seidenberg said, according to AP. "We would love to carry it when we get there, but we have to earn it."

In August, TechCrunch reported a large purchase of Qualcomm chips by Apple, and Bloomberg has speculated about a 2011 release date for the Verizon iPhone. If the rumors are true, they could mean the end of AT&T's exclusive partnership with Apple.

Comments

[rp2009]

02:04 AM on 10/09/2010

As a dissatisfied BB owner (unfortunately I own a Storm 2) planing on switching to Android, I think I will wait and see. If Verizon gets the iPhone, I think RIM will be the biggest looser. People seem quite happy with Android, but some BB owners like myself have been on the fence ready to bail.

[rp2009]

02:23 AM on 10/09/2010

^ if I owned RIM stock, Their phones are not keeping up to technology and they have nothing in the immediate pipeline other than an underwhelming OS6 and a supposed tablet using a completely different OS. I do not see any reason for customers to continue being loyal to the brand with so many better options now. Verizon helped propel them to a wide customer base, and now that customer base may be getting another compelling option to ditch RIM beyond Android.

[Daniel Thomas Barone]

07:17 PM on 10/08/2010

VERIZON SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Iphone is meant for AT&T not Verizon

[jonester]

03:34 PM on 10/14/2010

I would have to agree, they are also more expensive, the rest of their phones suck, plus they don't have very good world coverage.

[Synthon]

06:34 PM on 10/08/2010

Oh, crap, I have been waiting all this time for a non-AT&T iPhone, and this new one with Verizon is going to be CDMA only? That really blows for people who travel outside the US.

[GunnyJ]

06:30 AM on 10/08/2010

If it does happen there will be complaints about Verizon just like complaints about ATT. This is who we have become.....

[Unimatrix42]

09:26 PM on 10/07/2010

Yawn. Wake me when it ships.

[CANTHATBE]

08:05 PM on 10/07/2010

Sounds like the real deal this time. Looks like Verizon is in preparation and strengthening their network as we speak. One thing about Verizon they do tend to be the first to beef up their network.

[Madmac]

06:45 PM on 10/07/2010

Here we go again. Enough of these rumors. Either these clowns who are spreading these rumors put up. Or shut up. There will be an iPhone 5 and it will be released in June 2011. And it will be for AT

[Sean Johnson]

05:40 PM on 10/07/2010

Not this again. Did someone at the WSJ have their best friend who happens to be Steve Jobs' next door neighbor tell them this? I'll believe it when I can walk into a Verizon Wireless store and see an Apple iPhone for sale. By then, my contract with AT&T will be over and I can keep the phone and just switch back to Verizon(I know, wishful thinking on my part).

[SWLinPHX]

04:17 AM on 10/08/2010

Sorry Sean, but you will NOT be able to use the AT&T iPhone with Verizon if that's what you are implying (unless I misunderstood).

[joshua rotteveel]

11:52 AM on 10/08/2010

you will not be able to do that, the att iphone will not work on verizon wireless's cdma based network. your att iphone will become a fancy ipod or you can sell it on ebay -- although im not sure who would want to buy it if the iphone comes to verizon wireless who would willingly choose att over verizon wireless?

[onlythetruthcounts]

05:19 PM on 10/07/2010

I got something to release, a big fat realization that it's not gonna happen. Stop spreading these rumors, it drives me crazy. I just bought an iPod Touch and I shall be very unhappy if Verizon gets the iPhone anytime soon.

[MaxPowerXP]

11:41 AM on 10/07/2010

Take a shot every time HP reports this exact same story

[microsoap]

01:21 PM on 10/07/2010

+1

The kickbacks ($$$) from Apple, Inc. to HP is what, waist-deep already?

[planetmango]

03:46 PM on 10/08/2010

HuffPo is smart enough to know what people read and comment on. Anything about Apple stirs it up, and we all participate willingly. That just means more ad views and revenue for HuffPo. No Apple kickbacks needed.

[Untitled]

03:00 PM on 10/07/2010

Actually, take a show every time ANY news outlet reports this exact same story. You'll be so wasted you might accidentally leave your iPhone prototype in a bar and it'll get discovered by Gizmodo.

[J0E1]

11:05 AM on 10/07/2010

The same sources also told WSJ that Apple may be currently working on an iPhone 5 model

Wow so insightful.  So you are telling me that Apple plans on releasing a new iphone in June like they have the last 4 years in a row?  I just thought they peaked with the 4 and were going to stop developing new phones.  Whoa, this "source" must really know what they are talking about. 

Verizon iphone 2011!!!! omg!!!

[tomythomson]

10:55 AM on 10/07/2010

If I had a dime for every time I heard this rumor... CDMA won't be around for much longer, and verizon is already starting to roll out LTE in 38 cities very soon. It makes no sense for Apple to make a CDMA iPhone, UNLESS it's actually an LTE iPhone. Now that would be interesting.

[ipv4]

01:28 PM on 10/07/2010

Not true , even if they are going to 4g you will still need a backup cdma chip if you don't have a 4 signal. As I understand it they will be using 3g for voice and 4g for data.

[Michael Johnson 1]

02:05 PM on 10/07/2010

Well, seeing as ATT and Verizon will be using the same LTE, this is a plausible idea. But, not in 2011.

[Madmac]

09:18 AM on 10/07/2010

Two words...Stock Manipulation

[StansDad]

10:51 AM on 10/07/2010

get in now while the gettins good

[Madmac]

09:14 AM on 10/07/2010

Another day...Another rumor. It's NOT going to happen BEFORE 2012 at the earliest. Before any of you comment, you should ask yourself these questions. Why would Apple waste time on a dying network standard? CDMA is about to be replaced by LTE (4G). Also, Why would Apple interrupt their product cycle and introduce a product that only will have a 6 mo shelf life before iPhone 5? If you actually use your brains you'll realize that this story has no merit. I'll wait until next week for the new rumor

[blessedtoes]

10:35 AM on 10/07/2010

Seems you've not heard of "planned obsolescence" as a profit mechanism.

[Madmac]

12:06 PM on 10/07/2010

Seems like you've haven't heard of the concept called Reality...This rumor has been going on since the iPhone was first introduced back in 2007. Plus there's that nasty little thing called an Exclusive 5 year contract that both AT&T & Apple have verified to be active. That means that they're locked in for 5 years. That contract is due to end in 2012. It's amazing what happens when you do your homework

[ipv4]

01:29 PM on 10/07/2010

Macmac, you make claims about things you have no understanding about. Even if verizon are going to 4g they still need a cdma chip when they don't have a 4g signal.

[toldyeso]

04:05 AM on 10/07/2010

I have a Verizon for Android phone. I'll never switch over.

[tib]

04:11 AM on 10/07/2010

As many as 50% of your fellow Verizon customer do plan to switch.

[SoCalNick]

10:33 AM on 10/07/2010

LOLOLOLOLOL HUGE LIE!!!!

Apple is gong to Verizon because Android is kicking their Arse. If people wanted the iphone they would just be on ATT&T but I am sure that logic escapes you. All the Iphone people who have seen my Droid X can't WAIT to switch to it. That is what happens when a company actually DOES something instaead of just TALKING like it is the best.

That is all

[dmsdzinr]

09:58 AM on 10/07/2010

I am sure that Apple will be crushed by your comment.

[toldyeso]

11:41 AM on 10/07/2010

O LOOK -

A FANBOY!