Rumor: 3 New 3rd Generation iPhones Coming This Summer
Commercial Times is raising the bar on crazy rumors by claiming Apple will release not just one, not even two, but a whopping three new iPhones this summer.
First would be the next-generation iPhone previous rumors have pointed to, with beefed up processors and features like the camera.
Second would be a throwback of sorts to the original iPhone, dropping HSPA 3G in favor of EDGE 2.75G to lower costs and smash what little umbrella was left competitors.
Third would be a special version to support a CDMA carrier in China, allowing Apple to penetrate that last, largest of markets. (And with the mere mention of CDMA, cue baseless Verizon rumors in 3… 2… ) [Note: Chinese CDMA bands won't work on Verizon -- hence baseless]
While TiPb has been on the next-gen bandwagon as a long as anyone, I have to admit the other two I’m not as sure about. Even though I mentioned the possibility of an EDGE-again iPhone on Twitter this weekend, Sacha Segan from PCMag was quick to point out a problem: AT&T is cutting EDGE capacity in favor of 3G. And like Giz says in the link below, Apple’s never been a retro-embracing company…
Would anyone be interested in an uber-cheap (free on contract, low EDGE data plan) version of the iPhone? Or is it Next Gen or nothing? And could we see a world where people are smuggling CDMA iPhones out of China?!
[via Gizmodo via Slashphone]
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“Would anyone be interested in an uber-cheap (free on contract, low EDGE data plan) version of the iPhone?”
Wouldn’t this be considered a “low-end” phone that Apple has already made clear they would not be involved in marketing?
I don’t buy it… EDGE only would be a bad idea.
I would suspect if that “low end” model were to be released it would be a phone/ipod only. More or less they would take the smart out of smart phone.
Apple always says they aren’t interested in creating a certain product right up to the point they release one.
AT&T is killing EDGE off. Carriers are already talking about moving to 4G within the next 2 years. Making an EDGE only phone wouldn’t make sense, especially when EDGE was one of the biggest complaints of the original iPhone.
This is interesting at best. Who knows what Apple will really do but the CDMA version for China would be nice if that’s their only option. But it would probably be tied to China’s carrier and unusable in the US.
Chinese CDMA bands don’t work on Verizon, hence baseless. Edited in to clarify
if they do cdma it wont be a verizon or sprint phone. No way ATT would allow it. The edge phone rumor has no chance either. Seriously, it’s apple we’re talking about here
Sting7k hit it on the head. Why would Apple release a product lacking the feature that kept half of the market from buying the first iPhone.
The first iPhone was $600 on a two-year contract.. The fact that it didn’t have EDGE or GPS was mind-boggling at that price.
If it was free on contract, it would be expected for it to have edge.
@Adam, it was only that price for 2 months, then Apple hosed us and dropped the price to $300/$400. But 3G was a major factor in many not getting the iPhone when their BB/WinMo/etc. phones all had 3G.
I’m gonna stick with my iphone 3g till my contract is up rather than go and get 1 of these new 3, the iPhone 3g is fine the way it is plus I have a camera app that can record gr8 no need for a new 1 for me
I can see it. New phone for markets on the current Risk board, CDMA to add China and the Edge to take the rest of the board = Game Over.
Let’s keep looking forward instead of taking steps backward. I am into the next-gen iPhone, not another EDGE only capable iPhone.
Then again, I have T-Mobile, so it doesn’t really matter what the data capabilites of the next-gen iPhone are unless they manage to sneak in support for the 1700Mhz band which T-Mobile uses for their 3G. I guy can dream can’t he…?
I’ve heard rumblings that point to what steve said. Perhaps a less expensive phone that does everything except data. It would be a phone, do SMS, iPod and apps. Targeted at younger folks whose parents don’t want to shell out $30 for a data plan but are okay with their kids having a iPhone. Somewhere in between the Touch and the iPhone.
Also remember that China Mobile services both CDMA and GSM so Apple doesn’t NEED a CDMA version just to get into China AFAIK.
Sure would be nice to learn that T-Mobile somehow got the EDGE phone.
Apple gets statistical usage figures on every iPhone out there remember. I’d not be surprised if they do bring out a cheap EDGE only phone, stating 50% of people turn 3G off anyways – everyone I know does!
I’ve never turned 3G off.
@frog:
Yes, I have 3G always off… but not by choice. My iPhone won’t ring or indicate voicemail messages with it on. Just a problem with my area. But there seems to be WiFi everywhere anyway… so no Edge needed by me.
I always leave my 3G on edge is 2 slow
When will AT&T have 4G. Cuz Sprint has it.
I always have 3g on and have no problems.
Verizon will not allow a phone whos imie is not in their system
Bob cobb has it right “Seriously, it’s apple we’re talking about here” With ATT negotiating for a contract extension with Apple (til 2011) guess who is calling the shots. Hint: His initials are Steve Jobs. The iPhone is too much of a moneymaker for ATT to be hardnosed.