Josh Ong
Though Verizon sent out emails to business customers earlier this week notifying them of the 3 a.m. start, the new page is the first time that all existing customers were informed of the time. Verizon customers will, of course, still need to check with the carrier to verify that they are eligible for an iPhone upgrade.
Verizon's iPhone frequently asked questions page still states that preorders will begin "on or around February 3rd 2011" and will be sold on a "first come, first serve" basis.
While a 3 a.m. Eastern time may seem an odd time for Verizon to begin taking iPhone 4 preorders, it's the earliest time where all contiguous states will have reached Feb. 3.
The 16GB iPhone 4 model will cost $199, while the 32GB model will cost $299, each with a 2-year contract. A leak on the Apple website Wednesday revealed that Verizon's voice plans for the iPhone 4 will start at $39.99 per month, with unlimited data for $29.99, and the option of 2GB of data tethering for an additional $20. According to one Verizon executive, the company's unlimited data plan will only be available for a limited time before being phased out for a tiered pricing structure.
After years of speculation and rumors, Apple's successful smartphone officially goes on sale through Verizon on Feb. 10.
In preparation for the launch, Verizon has also begun carrying cases for the CDMA iPhone 4 on its website. Apple recently began offering a universal bumper case that fits both the GSM and CDMA models of the iPhone 4, since the new CDMA iPhone has a new antenna design that necessitated moving the mute switch slightly.
Verizon Chief Financial Officer Francis Shammo told investors Tuesday that the carrier has invested significant resources into the long-awaited launch of the iPhone. "We are not going to have any flaws on the execution of the iPhone launch," he said.
Charles Martin
Mike Wuerthele
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
60 Comments
Any predictions on the number of pre-order sales, how fast they’ll sell out*, and if they will experience any AT&Troubles with their pre-order system?* I can’t imagine they won’t sell out, but I am still reading several people swearing up and down that no one will buy an iPhone 4 halfway through the standard release cycle despite excessive evidence to the contrary.
Meanwhile, back at AT&T, management isn't worried about customers switching from them to Verizon. Not because their customers are happy with their service, but because they have them under long-term contract, with insanely high contract termination fees.
Any predictions on the number of pre-order sales, how fast they?ll sell out*, and if they will experience any AT&Troubles with their pre-order system?* I can?t imagine they won?t sell out, but I am still reading several people swearing up and down that no one will buy an iPhone 4 halfway through the standard release cycle despite excessive evidence to the contrary.
I'll bet at least 1.5 million (through Feb 10 - not just Feb 3). Same as AT&T last summer. I'll be one of them.
Meanwhile, back at AT&T, management isn't worried about customers switching from them to Verizon. Not because their customers are happy with their service, but because they have them under long-term contract, with insanely high contract termination fees.
Wonder how long before we have "Dueling Banjos" speed comparisons between iPhone 4's from the two carriers - side-by-side at the same spot....wait - we are right next to a (ATT or Verizon) cellphone tower, so the competitor's phone looks much slower, and we get youTube videos ad nauseum with these comparisons, until the lame Consumer Reports gets to put their drivel in the news again. (I can hear it now - "We can't recommend EITHER phone, even though both are the best of breed, because of blah, blah, blah.") \
I'll bet at least 1.5 million (through Feb 10 - not just Feb 3). Same as AT&T last summer. I'll be one of them.
Last year AT&T and Apple for AT&T took 600k pre-orders. On the opening weekend, Thursday through Sunday, they sold 1.7M units, but that number includes 5 countries, which I think includes several more carriers for those 4 non-US countries.
I think Verizon can easily do 600k pre-orders. Getting 1.7M sales open weekend, Thursday, Feb 10th through Sunday, Feb 13th, seems too far to reach. I have doubts they’ll have more than 1M units on hand for Verizon’s opening weekend.
If they beat AT&T’s opening for the iPhone 4 I’ll laugh at the naysayers. If they beat all iPhone 4 opening sales for 5 countries and all associated carriers I don’t know what I’ll do… maybe buy more stock.