“Yesterday Techcrunch added more fuel to the reports that the iPhone 5 will indeed be a dual CDMA / GSM world phone,” Ben Bajarin writes for Tech.pinions
“Making one single device that runs on all the worlds networks makes a great deal of sense,” Bajarin writes. “Not only does it streamline Apple’s manufacturing process allowing all their resources to go into building one device, but it also sets them up for what could be their biggest launch yet.”
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Bajarin writes, “It would be a huge deal to launch the iPhone 5 simultaneously world wide on every major carrier. The strategy itself is simple. Make it possible for every person on the planet to buy an iPhone 5 on the carrier of their choice.”
“One could make a strong argument, and many have, that the reason other platforms like Android have been gaining is because the iPhone isn’t avaialable on every carrier. This could all change very soon,” Bajarin writes. “And there are two markets of significant interest in this scenario- the US and China.”
Much more in the full article here.
Finally a friendly mass supported corporate takeover
The idea of the iPhone V being on every carrier worldwide is so awesome. I can’t wait…things will definitely be shaken up by this move. Hopefully the rumors of Sprint getting it will come true. If they do, I’ll be the first un line to get rid of my and my wife’s BB. Tired of the constant need to reset it all the time. I prefer stability overall. 😛
But even if Apple simply rolls out the next iPhone on every carrier in the U.S. and China, (other countries following a couple weeks later) the repercussions will be staggering.
Respect the (iPhone) V!
There isn’t any argument; the reason Android has grown as fast as it has is because it was available on almost any carrier, while the iPhone was not. Just look at how the numbers are changing now that the iPhone is on Verizon in the U.S.
I also think there is an intentional delay on Apple’s part due to a bit of fear that it won’t be able to make enough iPhones if the device were available on any carrier.
I just hope the screen is at least 4 inches.
Yeah, because at 3.8 inches, the world just isn’t the same.
Beauty!
At least? That’s the max size i’d ever want on a MOBILE PHONE!
After having every iPhone models and Androids in 3.7, 4.0, & 4.3… I think that 4″ screen is the perfect size. I like a 4.3, but it’s a bit of a stretch for most peoples thumbs.
I agree with smacsteve – 4″ is the sweet spot for mobile phone displays. I like the compactness of the iPhone, but I could deal with an extra 1/4″ or so in height/width if it had a 4″ screen.
Keep in mind that the phone’s cost will still need to be subsidized by the carriers. Unlocked phones cost hundreds more. But this could set up an interesting price war among the carriers, unless they all collude in price fixing.
It’s not collusion if the device manufacturer (Apple) dictates what the retail price should be – that’s how it is now with AT&T and Verizon.
A OneWorld iPhone will also have a greater resale value.
Won’t it also have a higher cost (not to mention weight) since it has to contain two different cell spectrum receivers and transmitters?? Isn’t that why almost all cell phones are optimized for a single spectrum (GSM or CDMA)?
Doubt it will cost more than the current iPhone even it there is a greater manufacturing costs. Apple doesn’t fluctuate product costs after each refresh. Doubt it will weigh much more considering that the anticipated iPhone 5 won’t have glass on both sides like the current model thus reducing overall weight. It will be longer to house both antenna systems but makes sense to fit a bigger screen.
What happens when a CDMA network iPhone 5 owner travels to, for example, Europe, where the networks are only GSM? Until carriers sign new roaming agreements (CDMA-GSM) the CDMA network iPhone 5 won’t be able to do anything, except via Wi-Fi…
You did read the bit where it said CDMA/GSM, didn’t you? The radio chip works on both, automatically switching between, roaming issues are not dependent on the radio, merely agreements between networks internationally.
Exactly what I said “sign new roaming agreements”. Your point therefore being?
Most carriers use clearing centers to handle the roaming charges. It would be impractical for every operator to sign a deal with every other operator.
I wonder if the cellular data capable iPad 3 will also be a world device? Apple is sure messing up a lot of empires.
If that is the case, then the whole world would grin to a halt because everyone would be queuing up at Apple stores to get the iPhone 5 first. Indeed this could be the biggest launch in the annals of marketing history.
“If that is the case, then the whole world would grin to a halt …”
Is this a typo? If not it most aptly describes the result of purchasing an iPhone V!
“Make it possible for every person on the planet to buy an iPhone 5 on the carrier of their choice.”
Even my beloved T-Mobile, USA?
If any or all of these comments are correct Android developers are so screwed, even existing customers will begin to vanish.
Giggle’s will see their mobile advertising empire collapse along with their stock value making the Motorola purchase an Albatross financially.
Slashdot com will suffer a melt down with Open source fanboys freaking out at the death of baby Droid.
long lines at all the phone stores this fall.
It could be ugly.
iPhone developers will be rolling in the clover with millions of new customers.
If the difficulty in buying an iPad 2, which lasted for months, happens to the buyers of the iPhone 5 …….
Well….
Apple: better make a lot of them so it doesn’t! I don’t want to wait 5-6 months to get my next iPhone.
Giggle’s will see their mobile advertising empire collapse as “Tablet Guy” would have it does not take into account that the default search engine on the iPhone is Google. He also fails to recognise that Google makes far more out of Apple than it makes on Android.