Possibility of CDMA iPhone (to work on Verizon) - iPhone 3G

wildonrio · 05-22-2008, 04:56 PM

Someone mentioned to me last night how Japan's cell phone networks are purely CDMA, yet Apple has promised an iPhone there shortly. Could this mean that they are going to make a CDMA version? Which means we could get our hands on one and unlock it for Verizon?

I am just stimulating conversation here, I have no facts to offer. I hope someone else can provide those, either for or against this.

Quake97 · 05-22-2008, 04:58 PM

Not sure where you got your information, but there is GSM in Japan.

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_jp.shtml

Apple is not going to make a CDMA version of the iPhone.

Joe

wildonrio · 05-22-2008, 05:13 PM

Ok I guess that guy last night didn't know what he was talking about.

jslappa · 05-22-2008, 05:24 PM

I also think that Apple will not manufacture a CDMA phone. With the amount of money it would take to bring such a device to fruition, there would probably be no profit in it. The CDMA market is just too small, compared to the GSM market. No Return on Investment (ROI) means no dice.

JoeT · 05-22-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jslappa

I also think that Apple will not manufacture a CDMA phone. With the amount of money it would take to bring such a device to fruition, there would probably be no profit in it. The CDMA market is just too small, compared to the GSM market. No Return on Investment (ROI) means no dice.

I'm sure that all the companies making phones for Verizon and Sprint would disagree.

ravman · 05-22-2008, 05:50 PM

Interesting to see that "eMobile" is running on 3G - 1700Mhz in Japan. Is Apple going to open up the iPhone for all Japanese cell phone companies?

If this is the case, then T-Mobile customers just might be lucky and be able to use the iPhone on their 3G network. All of NYC that is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake97

Not sure where you got your information, but there is GSM in Japan.

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_jp.shtml

Apple is not going to make a CDMA version of the iPhone.

Joe

fury · 05-22-2008, 06:19 PM

CDMA is more power intensive, so they'd need a bigger battery... I had a CDMA Razr with a standard and an extended battery. Standard got about 3 or 4 hours of talk time. The same battery in my dad's GSM Razr is able to talk twice as long, in my experience, or about the same amount as the extended battery could with my phone.

Staszek · 05-22-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeT

I'm sure that all the companies making phones for Verizon and Sprint would disagree.

These are companies that make phones as one of their main businesses and have more then one model.

Its much easier to spread out costs when you are making more then one version of a cdma phone.

Secondly, Apple has an agreement right now to not produce anything but GSM technology till 20XX (I forget the contract end date)

Eragon · 05-22-2008, 07:40 PM

This whole discussion is irrelevant. CDMA in the US is being replaced by LTE. Vodafone wears the pants in the Verizon Wireless family, and has pushed Verizon towards the GSM standard. I wouldn't be surprised to see an iPhone on Verizon's 700Mhz network in a couple of years.

My curiosity is when Vodafone will buy a controlling interest in Verizon.

ravman · 05-22-2008, 07:41 PM

Vodafone will rule the world soon. The Brits are at it again!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eragon

This whole discussion is irrelevant. CDMA in the US is being replaced by LTE. Vodafone wears the pants in the Verizon Wireless family, and has pushed Verizon towards the GSM standard. I wouldn't be surprised to see an iPhone on Verizon's 700Mhz network in a couple of years.

My curiosity is when Vodafone will buy a controlling interest in Verizon.