Today one of the longest-standing tech rumors has finally come to an end. At Verizon's event today in New York City, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam announced that his carrier will indeed begin offering the iPhone 4 early next month. Existing Verizon customers will be able to pre-order the device beginning February 3rd, and everyone will be able to buy Verizon's iPhone on February 10th. Pricing is set at $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model. Verizon's iPhone sports the same specs as AT&T's model, although Big Red's version will have two new features: a mobile hotspot feature that will support up to 5 devices and a redesigned antenna. One feature missing from Big Red's iPhone will be the ability to do simultaneous voice and data, a feature I'm sure AT&T will tout even more heavily now. Finally, Verizon's iPhone 4 will sport EV-DO connectivity, meaning that there'll be no LTE to be found.
It's kind of crazy that the Verizon iPhone rumors are finally going to come to an end, but I'm glad to see the device actually made official. Even if you don't care about iOS/Verizon getting the iPhone, it's great to see another carrier in the U.S. get Apple's handset and give customers another option to get try the iPhone 4. The inclusion of the mobile hotspot feature on Verizon's iPhone is pretty awesome, if not a little unsurprising considering how big the feature is on the carrier's Android handsets. So, folks, now that the mythical Verizon iPhone is finally official, who's buying one?
Verizon Wireless & Apple Team Up to Deliver iPhone 4 on Verizon
BASKING RIDGE, New Jersey and CUPERTINO, California—January 11, 2011—Verizon Wireless and Apple® today announced that the iPhone® 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning on Thursday, February 10. Qualified Verizon Wireless customers will be given the exclusive opportunity to pre-order iPhone 4 online on February 3, ahead of general availability.
iPhone 4 is the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina™ display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime®, which makes video calling a reality. iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless will also include new Personal Hotspot capabilities allowing customers to use iPhone 4 to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices.
“We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” said Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”
“Verizon Wireless customers have told us they can't wait to get their hands on iPhone 4, and we think they are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We have enormous respect for the company Verizon has built and the loyalty they have earned from their customers.”
iPhone 4 features a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 chip, a 3-axis gyro and a beautiful glass and stainless steel design like no other mobile phone. iPhone 4 also comes with iOS 4, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, which includes multitasking, folders, Game Center, AirPlay® and AirPrint wireless printing. iPhone 4 customers have access to the world’s most popular App Store? with more than 300,000 apps available in an incredible range of 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health and reference.
Pricing & Availability
iPhone 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning Thursday, February 10 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 for the 16GB model and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new two year customer agreement. iPhone 4 will be available at more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, online at www.verizonwireless.com/iphone, at Apple Retail Stores, at the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), at Apple Authorized Resellers, and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.
