The iPhone 4 on Verizon: Let the Games Begin

Some called it the most agonizing wait since Apollo 13 lost radio contact on reentry. Others likened it to waiting for your parents to wake up on Christmas morning. Still others claimed the anticipation was more painful than having the last Harry Potter split up into two movies. While I agree, I think this last group just goes too far. Regardless, I'm here to break the news, for the first time in any major publication, that the iPhone 4 is coming to Verizon on February 10, 2011.

I wouldn't hold it against you if you were skeptical. After all, we've heard this same rumor thousands of time before. (Wait, everyone doesn't obsessively poll the technology rumor blogs? I'm confused.) Suffice to say, rumors of a Verizon iPhone started almost the day the iPhone was announced for AT&T. I assure you this time the rumor is true. Verizon held a press event two weeks ago at which the announcement was made, and Apple has saturated the airwaves with its ads ever since.

What does this mean for the current or prospective iPhone owner? The most important change is choice. Heretofore, (yup, said it) the iPhone has only been available on AT&T's network. When Apple originally announced the iPhone would be available exclusively on AT&T for a certain period few thought that period would last almost four years. In that span, AT&T's reputation for reliability, especially in areas of high population density like New York City, has deteriorated. Because of this, AT&T has been the butt of innumerable jokes, and Verizon has gained a reputation as the more reliable of the two major carriers. Speculators wonder how Verizon's network will react to the inevitable influx of data hungry iPhone users.

Other than carrier quality, the Verizon iPhone is almost identical to its AT&T counterpart. Perhaps the most notable difference is that the Verizon phone cannot handle simultaneous voice and data traffic--you can't browse the web while talking on the phone. Another notable difference is the AT&T version's inability to act as a WiFi hotspot for other devices. Finally, a revision to the antenna that allows the phone to operate on Verizon's network caused a few of the buttons to shift slightly which doesn't affect usability but requires some cases to be redesigned.

You may be wondering what this brave new world will look like after seemingly impossible things like choice for iPhone users and iPhones for Verizon users become a reality. I've spent an unhealthy portion of the last two weeks wondering exactly the same thing. As tempting as it may be, I'm not backing down from the bold prediction I made earlier. Many people claim that Android phones have only done so well because they are the only smartphone option available on Verizon. I think that the latest Android phones match up very well with the iPhone in terms of utility and surpass it in flexibility. AT&T doesn't offer many of the leading Android phones, so the iPhone has never faced competition from the best Android has to offer.

Perhaps the biggest advantage that Android phones on Verizon enjoy is 4G data capability. Verizon is currently advertising its 4G network heavily and claims that it will be 10 times as fast as 3G. Several 4G Android phones have been announced for Verizon though none have yet been released. When the iPhone debuts on Verizon, it will not be able to use the 4G network. This will likely be remedied in the near future, but initially the iPhone will have to overcome this disadvantage.

Sure, the Verizon iPhone will enjoy massive popularity when it comes out in February. Sure, it will sell millions of units. However, I think that Android will continue to be the leader in mobile operating system market share--possibly after a brief dip into second place.

I wish I could say the wait is finally over, but seeing as it's only January 24th, it feels like the wait has just begun.