Some Lucky People Already Getting their Verizon iPhone

Verizon's official launch date for the Apple iPhone 4 isn't until Thursday, but some of those who pre-ordered this device last week got a surprise package this morning.

It's not clear how many devices have shipped already, but Verizon customers across the country are reporting that they received Apple's smartphone today, three days early.

Meeting High Demand
After years of being exclusively available from AT&T, the Verizon version of the iPhone 4 went on sale early last Thursday. The first group of units sold out just 17 hours later.

But there will soon be more options to make a purchase.

On Wednesday, Feb. 9, people will be able to go to Apple's website and reserve a Verizon iPhone 4. Devices that have been reserved can be delivered the next day, or picked up at an Apple or Verizon retail location.

Verizon's version of this smartphone is going to debut in this carrier's stores, as well as Apple's stores, on Thursday, Feb. 10.

Pricing
Like its rival AT&T, Verizon is going to offer two versions of this model: one with 16 GB of storage that sells for $200 with a two-year wireless service contract, while a 32 GB version goes for $300 with contract. These are the same prices AT&T charges.

Verizon is making a couple of special offers. Current customers who upgraded to a new smartphone during the holiday shopping season can get $200 off the cost of a new iPhone (read more details) or AT&T customers can trade-in their smartphone to defray some of the cost of a new Verizon model (read more details).

Additional Details on the Apple iPhone 4
Verizon's and AT&T's versions of Apple's latest smartphone are virtually identical. They both run iOS 4.2 on the 1GHz Apple A4 processor.

No matter which carrier offers it, the iPhone 4 has a tablet shape with a 3.5-inch, 960 x 640 touchscreen.

Its rear-facing camera has a 5 megapixel resolution and an LCD flash. The front-facing camera allows for video conferencing.