I say this with a tinge of reluctance, but starting February 10th, you’ll be able to own the best phone on the best carrier. Following an official event this morning in New York, the Verizon iPhone is no longer a thing of legend. The iPhone will materialize on the big red network with pre-orders for existing Verizon customers beginning on February 3rd and actual sales of the device starting on February 10th.
Actual Verizon iPhone
The Verizon iPhone will retail at $199 for the 16GB or $299 for 32GB of storage space, you know, if you’re serious about it. As always, you’ll need a 2 year contract to snag one of these things. Beyond the basics, the Verizon iPhone has a few quirks to speak of, since it does run on Verizon’s CDMA network (AT&T uses GSM technology, which is different in a handful relatively boring ways). The iPhone will appear identical to its AT&T counterpart, with the exact same design (unless the buttons scoot down a fraction of a millimeter), but they’ll be just a couple of notable differences which i’ll explain a little.
First of all, with the Verizon iPhone and its wacky CDMA technology, you won’t be able to access the web and talk on your phone at the same time. This sounds like kind of a big deal, but in practice I’m not convinced this will actually make much of a difference. Also, I don’t talk on the phone, so who am I to judge what you do? Don’t let me boss you around.
Secondly, and this is sweet (seriously), the Verizon iPhone will come will mobile hotspot capability. Using your phone as a mobile hotspot is also called “tethering,” and it’s a super useful way to share your smartphone’s internet connection with other devices. I use this feature my own Android phone (for free, ahem) any time my home network goes down, or whenever I’m at a cafe and the barista is too cute and asking her for the password for the wireless makes me feel nervous. On the Verizon iPhone, mobile hotspot capability won’t be free, but depending on your needs, paying for a tethering plan (especially since it’ll cover multiple devices) could be more than worth your while.
So there you have it! While there’s no official word on the cost of Verizon iPhone monthly plans yet, we’ll go out on a limb and guess they’ll be about 30 bucks, just like always. But remember: Apple is almost certainly announcing a new iPhone in June of this year, so if you make the leap for the Verizon phone in February, you’ll be locked into a new contract and ineligible for the newest, sexiest iPhone, which might even run on AT&T and Verizon’s so-called 4G networks. Also, I just got back from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and whoo-boy are there some fine lookin’ Android devices on the immediate horizon, mostly in the first quarter of this year. Verizon in particular will be rolling out all manner of amazing phones, but AT&T will score my personal favorite from the event, the Motorola Atrix 4G. But hey, I’m an Android convert, so that’s just me. The iPhone is still the phone I recommend for most (especially first-time) smartphone buyers. Android is a bit of an acquired taste, like a fine wine or a cougar.
So, what’ll it be? Are you switching over the second you can mash Verizon’s pre-order button?
NO!
I’ll still stay with my pretty android powered device.
Not a big fan of Apple even though I have an Ipod.
iphones scare the shit out of me because i’d probably break one in 195083905999000000000 different ways
and they have no insurance so you’d be screwed. that is unless you can get insurance with it on verizon.
Android x infinity. You will never get me Steve Jobs, NEVER.
<3
Word x 1000000000000000000000000000000000
There’s a good chance I’m wrong, but doesn’t AT&T also offer the ability to “tether”? My mom has an iPhone and says she uses it with her MacBook. However, she doesn’t really understand technology, so she could just be imagining things, haha.
i think she’s right. i do believe you can tether with at&t but you can’t use it as a “mobile hotspot” for multiple devices simultaneously. your mom ftw
My family is so hooked on Apple products, I would not be surprised to find that Steve Jobs is a relative of some sort (or a crack dealer). I expect someone in my household will be in possession of one of these within the month.
I just got a Droid in March so I can’t make quick jumps. Not that I would anyway. Apple owners makes me feel like there are cult-y things happening to them. The main thing I envy about the iPhone is the design. I do think they’re nicer looking.
“ACTUAL VERIZON IPHONE” — It’s 20 minutes later and I’m still laughing. You’re hilarious Taylor. He-fucking-larious… well maybe she-fucking-larious.
haha what’s awesome is that I read this article today on my iPhone while at work, otherwise bored during a conference call. There’s no way I could go back to a phone that can only do one thing at a time–CDMA vs. GSM is a huge issue for me. If not for Autostraddle on my phone, what would keep me occupied during all that conference call drudgery? I’m one of the few people that I know who will be sticking with ATT after iPhone launches on Verizon, despite all the dropped calls. Multifunction is worth it–for now.
I have the Samsung Epic 4G and I love it! The only complaint I have is the GPS not working correctly. I also am a huge Apple fan with a Macbook, iMac, and an iPod. Even though I love Apple, it would be hard for me to switch from Android. Thank goodness there isn’t an iPhone for Sprint yet so I don’t have to worry about making that decision :)
Oh, awesome, I just got an iPhone 4 and now I get to buy ANOTHER POS Apple product in June.
I’m gettin’ a Droid.
i have been literally waiting 2 years to get a smartphone because i was waiting for this thing to happen. I’d just given up hope and started contemplating a droid phone when i heard they were going to make this announcement today.
now i just don’t know what to do! iphone or droid phone?
I just want everyone to know that I have a tracfone like a cool kid. Or like a drug dealer, according to The Wire.
All in the game, yo.
Omar what are you doing on Autostraddle?
i heart my iphone so much but i could smack my own bitch ass around because i just re-upped for 2 years to get the iphone4…
ps — loved this article. im such a teach gear head geek. sigh.
I am thrilled to bits about the iUnicorn coming to Verizon! I’ve wanted an iPhone since, like, forever (okay, 2007). Even as I was reading the news in bed (on my iPod because I was too lazy to grab my MacBook off the floor), I just couldn’t believe that the legend was about to come true.
And I am not going to wait to get it. I don’t want to be stuck with my BlackBerry ShitStorm2 for another 5 months. Plus there will always be something newer and better around the corner no matter what you buy. Even if you wait, there will still probably be an iPhone 6 announced a year into your contract.
Obviously I am replete with feelings over this, as this is the first time I’ve posted on AS.
I’m so hip I have a nokia :\
This whole conversation is kind of moot because I live in Australia where neither Verizon or AT&T exist, but I love my Samsung Galaxy S more than is probably healthy.
that is merited!
So these suckers come out on my birthday, which I’m fairly sure is some kind of sign from god. Also I Have always wanted a unicorn and given your picture, I guess a Verizon iPhone is just a good.
Apple is actually really great at support their customers with Applecare. not only with that give you help in learning the phone but their genius bar has helped millions of customers with damaged phones.