CDMA iPhone Coming Only in 2011, So Say Analysts [Apple & Verizon Not to Launch iPhone This Year?]

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Earlier last week we all heard how Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon’s CEO, has publicly commented on the potential arrival of the CDMA iPhone. Now we hear that analysts suggest Apple and Verizon won’t announce such iPhone version soon and 2011 is likely the year when a CDMA iPhone will indeed arrive.

According to Reuters, various analysts out there are saying that what Ivan Seidenberg really did earlier this week was to actually tell everyone not to expect an iPhone in 2010. Sure Verizon can wish for the CDMA iPhone 4G to arrive in 2010 all they want but Apple might not be ready to make that wish come true yet.

First of all Apple is working exclusively with AT&T when it comes to iPhone sales in the USA. While there has been plenty of talk around the end of this partnership, we have no idea whether Apple is looking to renew that AT&T contract said to expire this summer or not. But most people will agree that Apple probably wants to pitch its iPhone lineup to non-AT&T customers too in order to bring in even more cash from iPhone sales and services.

Secondly Apple might not want to invest in a technology that’s slowly dying and that’s Verizon’s CDMA network. With the arrival of LTE 4G technology, Cupertino might be more likely to actually make a Verizon LTE iPhone, also a device we’ve been talking about here earlier this year. On the other hand is hard to believe that Verizon’s handset will be an LTE-only device as it should offer CDMA support for all those areas Verizon won’t be able to bring LTE to in the first years.

The same analysts do suggest that there is a scenario in which Apple will hurry the arrival of the CDMA/LTE Verizon-bound iPhone. Should Android and/or other mobile platforms become a real threat to Cupertino then Big Red might get the handset they’re already waiting for sooner than anticipated.

So there you have it folks, according to analysts’ predictions the CDMA/LTE iPhone is only happening at some point in summer 2011. Anyone anxious about that?