iPhone Mini May Be Headed to Verizon Next Year

The next version of the Apple iPhone will be available from both AT&T and Verizon, if an unconfirmed report is correct.  This device will supposedly be significantly smaller than the current one.

Until now, the iPhone has only supported GSM cellular wireless networks, which excludes Verizon and Sprint, as they use the CDMA standard. Apple's fourth-generation smartphone will reportedly be different -- it will use a radio chip from Qualcomm that can connect to GSM and CDMA networks, allowing one model to be used by both AT&T and Verizon customers.

There have been unconfirmed reports for many months that Apple and Verizon have been negotiating about ending AT&T's exclusive access to the iPhone, and this hybrid-network device could be the result.

A Smaller iPhone
The same source -- the market-research firm OTR Global -- says it was told by unnamed employees at Taiwanese component makers that the next iPhone will have a 2.8-inch display. All previous phones from Apple have had 3.5-inch touchscreens, so the company is apparently going to noticeably reduce the size of this product line.

The smaller version will supposedly not be a second option offered along with a device the size of the current one. Instead, the new smaller version will apparently be the only one available.

Rumors of a smaller iPhone have been cropping up occasionally since 2007. Last December, what's supposedly an image of this upcoming model even came to light (at right).

Coming Next Year
The fourth version of Apple's smartphone will reportedly debut during the third quarter of 2010, putting its release about a year after the introduction of the iPhone 3GS. As mentioned earlier, in the U.S. it will be offered by both AT&T and Verizon.

There is no word yet on price.

Source: AppleInsider

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