Rumor Redux: iPhone 4S Gets Faster 3G, Not LTE
Many have followed up on a Jefferies & Co. Inc. research note that suggests that Apple couldn't get LTE ready in time and will go with faster 3G instead, which will be marketed as "4G" anyway.
Jefferies analyst Peter Misek writes in the note that the new phone will be called the "iPhone 4S."
The idea that the next iPhone will sport faster 3G is hardly a new one. In fact, LR Mobile has said that it would be the easiest way for Apple to pep up iPhone performance.
The one problem with the idea is that it would give AT&T and T-Mobile a definite sales lever over Sprint and Verizon. AT&T and T-Mobile (before the two become one) have faster 3G networks than their CDMA rivals.
So, Verizon is probably hoping that Apple puts off any iPhone speed jump before the vendor sorts out the LTE version. Will Apple piss off one of its biggest new customers so early in their relationship?
— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile
They surely don't HAVE to launch an LTE phone right now, the 3G model is still selling. Its going to be a balancing act for them.
With AT&T launching LTE as soon as next month and Verizon LTE phones selling well, how long can they leave it before they launch an LTE model. I would think that 3G models will look long in the tooth if an LTE iPhone isn't launched until summer 2012. But, y'know, it's Apple, people will buy it.