70% Chance of Verizon iPhone in 2010, Analysts Say

Gene Munster, from Piper Jaffray, has gone ahead in giving the iPhone a 70% in ending up on Verizon's network in 2010. Also, he is predicting a longer battery life, as well as an RFID reader (Early Rumor: RFID). The following is Munster's reasoning:

- Because Verizon is the biggest U.S. carrier, and could help Apple sell millions more phones per year.
- Because Apple is no doubt aware that AT&T, its current iPhone partner, is majorly flaking on network quality in big markets like New York and San Francisco.
- Because Verizon would otherwise continue to invest heavily in Apple rivals like Google Android and RIM BlackBerry.
- Because the smartphone market is a platform land grab and Apple can't afford to lose ground -- even at the risk of complicating their product line or back-end systems.

Are all of these points solid? Well, it is all opinionated. Personally, I believe Apple is almost completely obligated to launch an iPhone on Verizon's network in a foreseeable future. As pointed out briefly by Munster, RIM has always had a solid home on Verizon, and now Android handsets are beginning to make their way over.

In the ever evolving world of cellphones, the iPhone's OS is beginning to get staler and staler. This mostly comes from the stiff competition from Google, with their more fresh Android. Also, Palm has entered the mix with WebOS. Plus, it has already been confirmed that the Pre will make its way over to Verizon early next year!

So, Apple may want to jump onto Verizon's boat before all of these other big name handsets sink it (if you get my metaphor). Though exclusivity restrictions may indeed cease Apple's Verizon iPhone in the first half of 2010, I am betting with Munster in saying that in the latter part of 2010, there will be a CDMA iPhone running on Verizon's network.

Unfortunatley, by then Verizon's network will most likely be clogged with the above mentioned handsets, making it hard for the iPhone to breath.

-Majorginge

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