Rumors of a Verizon branded iPhone are as old as the handset itself. Now, we have a report that cites sources in the Taiwan supply chain that Apple has picked a contract manufacturer to produce a hybrid UMTS/CDMA "worldmode" iPhone that would work on Big Red's network. The report, obtained by AppleInsider from an Industry analyst and written by OTR Global, says the device will be built by Asustek subsidiary Pegatron instead of the current iPhone manufacturer Hon Hai. This was done to prevent Apple from being locked into just one source.
According to the report, this new iPhone would have a 2.8 inch display as opposed to the current iPhone which sports a 3.5 inch screen. This dovetails perfectly with some pictures leaked last summer showing the front panel of the current iPhone and a smaller panel that looks to be for a smaller version of the phone. In exchange for accepting a smaller display, the new iPhone would be able to be used on CDMA and UMTS networks thanks to Qualcomm's "worldmode" components. Any official announcement by Verizon might be delayed while the carrier continues to push the Android powered Motorola DROID as a challenger to Apple's touchscreen phone. News of a Verizon branded iPhone might stop DROID sales dead in their tracks which would be a negative for the nation's number one carrier heading into the all important holiday shopping season. Besides, Verizon would have to rescue the iPhone from the Island of Misfit Toys which is tough to do during the holiday season.
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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