Verizon’s ‘iPhone’ has arrived!

June 5th, 2009, 6:27 am · 17 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

It’s sleek, it has apps and it’s running on “America’s largest and most reliable network.” Folks, I got my hands on what could be Verizon’s iPhone.

It comes in a larger size — up to 32 gigabytes! It also includes a separate battery for the modem and it’s even slightly smaller than last year’s version, though it has a bulky 3G modem attached to the back.

Of course, the phone isn’t perfect. Sometimes the modem falls off so I suggest using either Krazy Glue or Velcro to bind the two pieces together. And you have to use one of those Voice-over-Internet Protocol services, like Skype, to make phone calls.

But with that special modem, the phone turns into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot so you and four friends can surf the Internet on laptops, iPod Touches or other Wi-Fi devices anywhere, including traveling at 65 mph on the Interstate. In a test, I had three friends mooching off its wireless Internet!

Okay, yes, I’m obviously joking. Verizon isn’t coming out with an iPhone, although there have been plenty of rumors this week, including a non-denial from Verizon officials. But with Sprint releasing the Palm Pre tomorrow and Apple potentially announcing an updated iPhone next week, I thought it would be fun to show you how to build your own iPhone on the Verizon network.

I’ve been playing with Verizon’s new MiFi 2200, a mobile hotspot mentioned on the blog earlier (see “Wi-Fi hot-spot on the go for $15/day“). When I held it next to an iPod Touch, I realized, hey, I’m holding a Verizon iPhone! The above scenario is completely real, but, of course, this isn’t an iPhone. I’ll post my full MiFi review later (hopefully) today. UPDATE: The review IS IN!

Lots more images below…

While the initial price of $329 to $499 will set you back more than AT&T’s iPhone, the monthly price is much lower, at $40 to $60/month. That’s cheaper than, er, everyone else who sells an iPhone. You can also pay as you go for $15/day.

But the huge flaw is that Apple forgot to add a microphone! Fortunately, you can buy one an add-on like this one for $13, according to iPod-friendly iLounge.com.

As for its lack of GPS? No to worry. There’s an add-on for that. The missing camera? There’s an add on coming for that. And Bluetooth? Yup, there’s an add-on for that, too (it’s called OS 3).

	Last year’s iPhone	Verizon ‘iPhone’
Height:	4.5 inches	4.3 inches
Width:	2.4 inches	2.4 inches
Depth:	0.48 inch	0.73 inch
Weight:	4.7 ounces	6.1 ounces
Screen	3.5-inch Multi-Touch display	same
Resolution	480-by-320 at 163 ppi	same
Capacity	8 or 16 GB	8, 16, 32 GB
Battery	24 hours audio	36 hours audio
Price	$199, $299	$329, $399, $499 (after $50 rebate)
Monthly service minimum	$70 w/ 2 year contract	$40 w/ 2-year contract

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Chicken Little says:

June 5, 2009 at 7:53 am

Oh, if only there really was a verizon iphone.

Post Reply

bonnie says:

June 5, 2009 at 10:20 am

weren’t there rumors that “iphone lite” would be coming out next summer? i hope it’s true!
if verizon DOES come out with an iphone, this would have significant effect on at&t sales. i have a lot of friends who purposely switched to at&t to get the iphone..

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress says:

June 5, 2009 at 10:42 am

Lots and lots of Verizon iPhone rumors. Some links:
* Apple and Verizon consider iPhone deal (USA Today)
* Rumor: An iPhone for Verizon in 2009 (Fortune)
* Will the iPhone ever come to Verizon? (CNET)
* Verizon says iPhone deal more likely with advent of 4G network (Apple Insider)
More…

Post Reply

colby says:

June 5, 2009 at 11:43 am

what’s the deal with the two different verizon data plans? would the 250 mb plan be enough for home use? i live in a rural area and this might be a good option for my computer and ipod touch.

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress says:

June 5, 2009 at 1:05 pm

If your Internet use is light, then it could work. But 250 MB certainly isn’t enough for me. The OCRegister and LA Times homepages today alone use up 235,508 bytes, or 1/5 of a megabyte. But I’m on the Web all day (and night sometimes). If you are in a rural area, keep in mind that Verizon’s 3G service may not be available where you’re at so Internet will be agonizingly slow (you’ll have to read my MiFi review when I’m done). And Verizon’s wireless Internet is around the 1 Mbps range, so you’d be sharing that connection between the iPod and laptop. However, if you can get Verizon’s service, you should compare Internet speeds, cost and convenience before deciding. Oh yes, and keep in mind that Verizon’s two data plans are LIMITED. I would hate to be stressing at the end of the month wondering if I have overage fees on Internet use. That could cost you dearly.

Post Reply

Merelyashadow says:

June 5, 2009 at 3:15 pm

It seems to me, that we are not really looking for a phone that does everything. Rather, a thing that can occasionally be used as a phone. I bet they could work much easier with a little different concept.

Does the new one have the radar detection on it? *hehe*

June 5, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Hmmm…that didn’t make sense. I meant to say, is that rather than a phone that tries to do everything and usually fails, I’d like to see a thing that can do everything, and occassionally be used as a phone. Then we wouldn’t have to work in the same margins. Make sense?

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress says:

June 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm

Like an iPod Touch using Wi-Fi = Free calls on Skype, no monthly fees, but intermittent phone service?

Post Reply

rc says:

June 5, 2009 at 3:35 pm

THIS IS AN iPHONE RAPE

SEAN IN NEWPORT BEACH says:

June 5, 2009 at 4:25 pm

I thougt iPd Touches didn’t have microphones?

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress says:

June 5, 2009 at 4:29 pm

Dude, read the whole post!

Post Reply
Ted says:

June 17, 2009 at 11:07 pm

The 2nd generation Touches all have built in mics.

http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/

Post Reply

Peter says:

June 5, 2009 at 11:39 pm

Can you txt using this?

gameon says:

June 6, 2009 at 1:10 pm

this would be cool. i want one. But i dont know about the mic. maybe i’ll wait till they do it right.

AT&T Blows says:

June 6, 2009 at 2:49 pm

AT&T is offering a refurb iPhone for $99 for the 8mb and $150 for the 16mb. Within 1 week they are completely out of stock!
.
I was going to get a new phone, but I guess I won’t now since they don’t have any.

Ted says:

June 17, 2009 at 11:13 pm

now, the start at $99 brand new…

http://www.apple.com/iphone/

Post Reply

lwps says:

June 6, 2009 at 9:53 pm

Get the netbook deal, and throw the phone in the trash can.


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