AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and reportedly Sprint each stand to grab a healthy slice of the market demand for the new iPhone. But each carrier brings something different to the table, making it difficult to predict which one might benefit the most, says ComScore.

AT&T holds the dominant share of existing iPhone customers. As of July, 81.9 percent of iPhone subscribers were with AT&T, leaving only 15.1 percent for Verizon, according to the report.

Following the launch of the new phone, all current iPhone carriers will likely continue to offer the iPhone 4 at a discount. AT&T could pick up even more customers by also continuing to sell the iPhone 3GS cheap. But that advantage may be short-lived since at some point, the older model iPhone will cease production, especially if Apple launches a low-cost iPhone 4.

Though Verizon’s percentage of iPhone users may be low, its satisfaction rates continue to be high. In July, ComScore found that more than 76 percent of Verizon smartphone customers graded the carrier with a score of 8 or higher out of 10, compared with 68 percent for other carriers. Among existing iPhone users, 23 percent said that they will switch or are seriously thinking of switching to another provider, opening the door for more business to come Verizon’s way.

However, Sprint also stands to do well if it gets custody of the new iPhone as it would be the only carrier to still offer an unlimited data plan. That benefit alone could scoop up new customers and prompt current data-slurpping users to switch carriers to grab the lower-price plan. However, questions have been raised as to how long Sprint could retain its unlimited plan, especially given a flood of iPhone users gobbling up data that the network might having trouble supporting.

No matter how the carriers fare with the new iPhone, the one company certain to come out ahead is Apple, ComScore said.

“Putting the operators aside, the one clear winner so far would appear to be Apple, which stands to gain market share from the additional market sectors penetrated by Sprint and providing another device option for customers of AT&T and Verizon,” the report noted. “As the Android platform continues to grow in popularity, it will be interesting to see the role the iPhone 5 plays in the platform share race and how this will ultimately impact the operator industry.”

[Thanks: http://news.cnet.com]

Cases for both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 have appeared in AT&T stores. In addition, screenshots of AT&T’s inventory system showed iPhone 5 cases, as well, and from the major manufacturer Case-Mate, which lends credence to the existence of an iPhone 5 (we wouldn’t expect them to screw up, in other words).

With all these evidence, we’ve believed for some time of the existence of both models.

The latest evidence of an iPhone 4S comes from 9to5mac, which has found references to the iPhone 4S in the latest iTunes for Mac Beta (10.5 beta 9). In addition, the reference indicates that the iPhone 4S will be a dual-mode CDMA / GSM phone. It also clearly indicates that the iPhone 4S will be the N94 that has been referenced for months and believed to be the next-generation iPhone.

9to5mac believes this means that the iPhone 5 does not exist, saying “Today, rumors of a re-design can essentially be put to rest.”

We don’t necessarily agree.

Just because there’s a reference to the N94 linked to the iPhone 4S does not mean there is no iPhone 5. In fact, our own source, who formerly worked for Apple and still has close ties to relatively loose-lipped Apple employees, says the iPhone 4S has always existed. Apple just decided after the Verizon iPhone launch that a summer iPhone launch (with the iPhone 4S) was too near the Verizon launch and would upset too many people.

At the same time, our source says he’s see both models. It was, he noted, unclear if the iPhone 5 was complete, but upper management had been pushing engineers to finish the iPhone 5 in time for this October launch.
Meanwhile, if the iPhone 4S is still launched, it won’t have an upgraded A5 processor. Instead, it will have tweaks, such as a dual-mode CDMA / GSM model so that it can be sold without having to manufacture two models for Verizon / Sprint and one for AT&T. It will also have the Verizon antenna system, to reduce the chance of a “holding it wrong” moment.

The iPhone 5, he says, is as described (teardrop shaped, slimmer, 8MP camera, A5 processor, and more) in many places. The only possibility is that despite pushing engineers to get it done early than originally planned, it may not be ready. A second source says Apple is having problems with the beveled edge of the screen.

In terms of the iPhone 5, we believe it exists and will be delivered in the form rumored, despite our second source’s doubts. We feel the evidence, as well as moves by multiple companies (not just AT&T, but Case-Mate, Otterbox, and others) point in this direction. In addition, we don’t think Apple would make anxious iPhone fans wait 16 months for “just” a revamped iPhone 4S.

We’ll see if we’re wrong — or right — on Tuesday.

[Thanks: http://hothardware.com]

These images come via TUAW, and show placeholders for the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S. These screenshots do not show images of either device, but offer a look at the possible specs for Apple’s new iPhone.

Before you get too excited, these could just be placeholders put up by an expecting carrier — but even that is a telling sign. Just yesterday, we saw the Sprint iPhone 5 show up in Radio Shack’s inventory system.

You see, these screenshots appeared on the pre-paid pages of Cincinnati Bell. This is the first time we have heard about this carrier getting the iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S.

The first screenshot shows the specs of an iPhone 5. This includes a larger 4″ display, up from 3.5″ on the current iPhone 4. We also see an 8MP camera listed, which is an improvement over the current 5MP iPhone 4 camera, and we also see 4G data speeds listed. While this might get your heart beating a big faster, calm down. This isn’t real 4G LTE, which delivers super fast downloads. Instead, this is HSPA+, which is only 4G in a fantasy world where marketers control definitions.

Are these the iPhone 5 Specs?

Next up, we see a screenshot of an iPhone 4S placeholder. This is the rumored low cost, tweaked iPhone 4. The iPhone 4S claims to have the current iPhone 4′s 3.5″ display and 5MP camera, but has an upgraded A5 processor. This device is notably cheaper at $99 after an instant $300 rebate.

Are these the iPhone 4S specs?

We are waiting for Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, to announce the new iPhone on October 4th at the company’s headquarters in California. We expect at least one new iPhone, but we may actually get two unique devices on Tuesday. If the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S are announced by Apple, we expect a release date of mid October on Sprint, AT&T and Verizon.

Apple is also expected to announce the iOS 5 release date. iOS 5 is a new version of the software that powers the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. This new version is rumored to bring voice control in the form of a new Assistant app, only available on the new iPhone, as well as over 200 new features to the iPhone 5 and older iPhones.

This leak gives us hope that Apple may go even broader with the launch and allow regional carriers that use Verizon, AT&T or Sprint towers to get in on the iPhone 5 game.

[Thanks: http://www.gottabemobile.com]

Earlier this week Apple sent out invitations to an October 4 event, tagged “Let’s talk about iPhone.” With the announcement date so tantalizingly close, it’s time to take a look at what we know so far about the next iPhone and iOS 5.

What We Know: iPhone 5

Design: Two theories prevail about what the next iPhone will look like. Theory one is an all-new design device (iPhone 5), which would feature a tear-shaped design with a metal back and a slimmer body, while theory two (iPhone 4S) is that it would look identical to the iPhone 4, but with bumped-up specs. A survey pointed that the iPhone 5 is the most anticipated of the two by consumers.

Features: Regardless of the design of the next iPhone, there are same sure-fire bets over the specs. It’s expected the A5 dual-core processor currently found on the iPad 2 to make its way to the new iPhone, as well as more RAM and a higher-resolution camera, possibly 8 megapixels.

Availability: October 4 is expected to be only the announcement date of the new iPhone, with Apple Insider tipping that the weekend starting Friday, October 14 is the one you’ll want to put aside for queuing outside your nearest Apple store. If Apple uses the iPad 2 model and releases the phone 10 days after the announcement, then October 14 or 15 could see the new iPhone reach the first consumers.

Carriers & Price: The new iPhone is expected to cost $199 with a two-year contract, just as with previous iterations of the device. The iPhone is now currently available on AT&T and Verizon, and Sprint is anticipated to be the next in line to get the new iPhone this year, says the Wall Street Journal, but not T-Mobile.

What We Know: iOS 5

Known Features: Developers had a chance to play with a beta version of iOS 5 for a few months now, and Apple showcased the major new features as well. The big changes in iOS 5 include several improvements to Mail and Safari, a notification center similar to Android’s, Twitter integration and iMessage, an instant messaging platform for iOS devices. iCloud, Apple’s cloud storage solution is also integrated in iOS 5, so you can re-download purchased music, apps or books to any of your devices or computer, while the master copy resides with Apple.

Surprise Features: Apple is believed to have kept back from the iOS 5 beta one surprise feature – the integration of voice assisted functions in the iPhone. Anecdotal evidence from the likes of 9 To 5 Mac surfaced over the past few weeks that you will be able to dictate texts and emails your iPhone, as well as have incoming messages read to you by the phone.

Availability: If Apple sticks to previous OS release schedules, then iOS 5 should be available a few days ahead of the next iPhone, in order to avoid Apple’s servers melting down. Apple Insider reports Apple has blacked out employee vacations October 9 through to 12 too, which indicates the possible arrival date of iOS 5 to current iPhone 3GS and 4 owners, as well as iPad owners and the 2009 and 2010 models of iPod Touch.

[Thanks: http://www.pcworld.com]

Between now and Monday — the day before Apple announces the new iPhone — TheNextWorth says it is guaranteeing $250 for all AT&T iPhone 4s (16GB and 32GB). Traditionally, the least expensive iPhone 4 starts at $199, but that’s with a two-year contract. The unsubsidized list price of a 16GB iPhone in the U.S. is $649 (from Apple), and it’s even more expensive in other countries.

To qualify for the $250 trade-in, NextWorth says phones “must be in good working condition with no heavy scratches or cracks.”

You can learn more at NextWorth’s iPhone trade-in page. The company will lock in the price for 21 days.

Another site, Gazelle.com is offering good prices, too, with its standard 30-day price lock-in: $250 for a “flawless” AT&T iPhone 4 with 32 GB; $225 for a “flawless” AT&T 16 GB model. Verizon models of the iPhone 4 go for less — $201 for a “flawless” 32 GB model, and $180 for the 16 GB version.

A “flawless” phone, according to Gazelle, is one that has “no noticeable flaws, still in its package or looks like new,” has “zero scratches” and has “no dust under the glass.”

Why are the AT&T iPhone 4s getting top dollar over the Verizon versions?

Representatives from both sites say that’s because the AT&T iPhone uses GSM technology, which is predominant worldwide, and best for re-selling the phones. Verizon uses CDMA technology, which is primarily used in the United States by Verizon and by Sprint. An unlocked AT&T iPhone could even be used in the U.S. on the T-Mobile network.

“The best time to trade an iPhone is between right now and the day the phone’s announced,” said Anthony Scarsella, Gazelle’s “chief gadget officer. “Once the phone’s announced, prices will start to drop a little.”

Another trade-in website to consider is BuyMyTronics.com.

Buyers appear to be eager for the new iPhone — when the next iPhone launches, it will have been about 16 months since the last one came out — and that may explain the trade-in fever Scarsella says his site has seen.

“Last year, we were getting 100 iPhone (trade-ins) a day pre-announcement of the new phone, and that spiked to 2,000 per day post-announcement,” he said. “This year, we’re looking at 700 trade-ins a day in the past few weeks, with a potential spike of 20,000 post-announcement.”

On Tuesday, when Apple announced it would “talk iPhone” Oct. 4, “someone was trading an iPhone every 10 seconds,” on Gazelle, he said.

“This behavior is very unprecedented,” he said. “Gadget owners usually wait until the announcement (of a new device) itself, but this year because of all the rumors and hype, people are locking in their prices and trades early.”

[Thanks: http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com]

The carrier revealed the information in a presentation given at this week’s Macworld Asia. A slide shown by the carrier, spotted by Macotakara, displays the evolution of the iPhone, from the first-generation model in 2007 onward.

Included in the slide is a blank spot for Apple’s so-called “iPhone 5,” which the company will officially unveil at an event next Tuesday. No photo or details on the iPhone 5 are provided, except for a mention that it will access HSPA+ networks, which have theoretical maximum download speeds of 21Mbps.

That compares to the 7.2Mbps maximum theoretical speed the WCDMA radio has provided in the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G. The first-generation iPhone featured EDGE data connections for 480Kbps.

In the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile have their own HSPA+ networks which the carriers advertise as having “4G” speeds, even though they aren’t true fourth-generation technology. AT&T is currently rolling out a true LTE 4G network in the U.S., and the carrier’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile would give it more spectrum to expand its coverage.

Rumors have maintained that this year’s iPhone upgrade will not feature a true 4G LTE radio. The China Unicom slide does indicate, however, that the next iPhone will feature an improved modem.

In April, Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook indicated his company is in no rush to adopt true 4G LTE technology in its products. He admitted that Apple has explored LTE, but the company wasn’t ready to make the jump with the launch of a CDMA Verizon iPhone in February.

[Thanks: http://www.appleinsider.com]

Instead, it’s business as usual for the carrier as it just announced two new handsets slated to launch on the company’s 4G HSPA+ 42 network.

“Our research shows almost every U.S. consumer wants a smartphone,” said T-Mobile chief marketing officer Cole Brodman at the GigaOM Mobilize mobile conference this week.

To appeal to that wide market, the service provider will launch the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Amaze 4G on October 12.

T-Mobile’s 4G network is similar to the pseudo-4G network originally offered by AT&T, but the difference is T-Mobile has actually worked to strengthen the technology and offer speeds that are competitive with rivals like Sprint.

AT&T, meanwhile, is working on replacing its 4G structure entirely and building a new network based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, which has made Verizon the fastest 4G operator on the market right now.

Both the Galaxy S II and the Amaze 4G will run on Android 2.3. The latter will also be NFC compatible, allowing the phone to be used as a virtual credit card in stores.

Both phones will be in the $230-$250 range for customers who sign up for a new two-year service agreement.

It seems like the AT&T merger isn’t slowing down T-Mobile one bit. The only thing that seems uncertain as a result of the proceedings is T-Mobile’s ability to land the iPhone. With Sprint rumored to be picking up the device this year, T-Mobile will be the last major player with no iPhone love, but that may be because Apple expects it to be rolled into AT&T.

However, with the batch of lawsuits and regulatory trouble AT&T has faced over the last month, the deal seems far from an open-and-shut case.

[Thanks: http://www.tgdaily.com]

Most notable is that even as AT&T serves up discounts this week on dozens of smartphones from rivals like Samsung and HTC, not a penny has been shaved off the price of its iPhone 4. This kind of indifference has come to be expected from AT&T customers, who watched the carrier respond to its impending loss of iPhone exclusivity by eliminating popular unlimited data plans and not lifting a finger to compete with the Verizon iPhone 4 which arrived in the spring.

That leaves AT&T iPhone customers in the position of going carrier-shopping with the launch of the iPhone 5 (but not to T-Mobile, which admits it won’t have the iPhone this year), with various factors marking the pros and cons of doing so. For those iPhone 5 buyers who are looking at marking the occasion by moving to Verizon or Sprint, here’s a look the ups and downs of it.

The first factor is a financial one. Verizon’s plans cost roughly the same as that of AT&T, while Sprint offers pricing which is cheaper for most users in most instances. However, any AT&T customer who bought their last iPhone less than two years ago is looking at having to pay off the remaining portion of their early termination fee if they’re going to change carriers at the iPhone 5 launch. There are actually three groups here. The first are those whose current iPhone is more than two years old and are already post-contract: they can change carriers without regard for cost.

The second are those who are eligible for upgrade pricing (typically twelve or eighteen months after purchase) but aren’t yet out of their contract: it’s cheaper for them to remain with AT&T because the iPhone 5 will cost the same no matter who they get it from, and leaving AT&T will require an ETF payment. The third group faces a different fate: those who aren’t yet upgrade-eligible will find themselves facing a $200 surcharge for an AT&T iPhone 5, and may come out ahead by buying a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 5 at standard pricing and using the savings to pay off their AT&T ETF.

Network quality is a significant factor but one which is tricky to quantify on a local level. For those who aren’t globe trotters, less important are national network quality rankings and more important are signal strength at ones home, place or work, favorite hangouts, and routes in between. A longtime AT&T iPhone user could be living in the middle of a Verizon dead spot and not know it; switching to a Verizon iPhone 5 could then become a nightmare. The way around this is to invite friends with Sprint and Verizon phones to come visit, and then check their reception while they’re over.

Network speed is another beast entirely. Both Verizon and AT&T have embarked on 4G LTE nationwide networks, but Verizon is much further along in that regard; neither one is anywhere close to being nationwide as of yet. The iPhone 5 may or may not even support 4G LTE, which won’t be confirmed until the device launches. Sprint offers a 4G network which is nationwide, but it’s significantly slower than the 4G LTE being promised by the other two carriers. It’s not yet known whether the iPhone 5 will support Sprint’s 4G, either.

Neither Verizon nor AT&T is offering unlimited data plans to new customers. Sprint is doing so, but reserves the right to revoke it down the road. Longtime AT&T iPhone users are still on an unlimited data plan if they’ve so chosen, and would lose this plan if they move to a Verizon iPhone 5. Then again, they could eventually lose the plan if AT&T revokes it later. Unlimited data plans mean you can surf the web as much as you like; those on limited data plans are in store for sizable overage fees if they go past their monthly limit.

[Thanks: http://www.beatweek.com]

Launch day lines are the earliest indicator of iPhone 5 demand, well other than surveys which show there is already incredible pent up demand for the next iPhone.

As last week drew to a close, we asked 1,875 readers if they would be joining the fanboys and fangirls in line for the iPhone in October. However you buy the next iPhone, you should be able to do it with apple’s latest iOS software. We expect an iOS 5 release date of October 10th.

We found out that a majority of our readers won’t be camping out for the iPhone 5, but will be ordering online for an early iPhone 5 delivery. This number isn’t shocking, considering that nearly two-thirds of our readers would buy the iPhone 5 without seeing it.

Most iPhone 5 Buyers will purchase Online on Release Day.

Of note though is that 44% of our readers said that they will line up for the next iPhone on release day. Of these day one buyers, 28% are planning to camp out at their closest cell phone store, such as Verizon, AT&T or Sprint. This is one major factor that will speed up the iPhone 5 buying process. With more retail locations offering the iPhone 5 on day one, there are more places to line up.

Only 16% of our readers plan to make the pilgrimage to their closest Apple Store for the new iPhone on launch day. This is especially good news for this group, as Apple typically has more stock than the other retailers, and knows how to take care of those waiting in line with food and blankets in regions that will be experiencing cold fall weather.

If you do plan to camp out for the iPhone 5, I suggest you bring layers of clothing, plenty of entertainment, beef jerky and a big bottle of water. If you can, bring a friend who can watch your place in line, or make friends quickly since you may have to wait more than 5 hours if you are at the front of the line.

If you haven’t voted yet, you can weigh in on how you plan to purchase the iPhone 5.

[Thanks: http://www.gottabemobile.com]

While all the rumors about iPhone 5 are doing the rounds, Apple remains tight-lipped. Then, how does the ‘information’ about iPhone 5 keep popping up?

Sprint’s CEO has some details about the phone. The company is currently working on the hardware which will accommodate the next generation iPhone with unlimited data plan. Sprint knows how iPhone 5 worked and is trying to lure the customers away from AT&T and Verizon. Rumors from Sprint, Best Buy and Telecom CEO suggest a mid-October release.

Apple is enjoying the best free-advertising, as there is not a single day when the tech experts and websites don’t mention iPhone 5 and it surges to the top of the Web’s most popular list as the latest rumors treat all of the company’s work.

The top most of all these attention grabbers was the loss of iPhone prototype at a bar in San Francisco, which was tracked by the SF police along with Apple employees. It has not confirmed yet whether it was an iPhone 5 or Apple was trying to retrieve some kind of an arbitrary test unit.

Apple’s marketing strategy has also taken a twist as the company has improved on new features found in iOS 5 which already exists in Android. Apple has tried to keep pace with the fast-moving market by copying certain features like Notification Center, Wireless Sync, Reminders, Background Updates, OTA Updates, Twitter Integration, Cloud Sync and iMessage from its competitors.

Apple’s iOS 5 has gone through its seventh round of beta testing and the eighth beta testing is coming next. With Apple’s iCloud coming next, the company is working to merge multiple Apple IDs. According to a MacRumors report, the users testing iOS 5 and iCloud have found juggling multiple IDs to be a major issue. The iCloud is the latest branding of its iCloud computing services and Apple is taking its time to complete iCloud development.

If Apple releases iPhone 5 during Christmas, it will boost the sales of the new model. Apple has reportedly increased the iPhone order volumes by about 12-13 percent for the second half of 2011.

The company has got orders for over 56 million iPhones. Around 25.5 - 26 million of these orders are possibly for iPhone 5.

[Thanks: http://www.ibtimes.com]