With the iPhone 5, Verizon Wireless is expected to gain a long-awaited level playing field in its battle with AT&T over iPhone sales. But the carrier is apt to aim for a solid hit rather than a home run with Apple's iPhone 5, analysts say. And for investors, that's a good thing.
Despite the pre-launch hype and an expected storm of customers, analysts say Verizon Wireless' debut of the iPhone 4 failed to generate higher-than-expected sales to AT&T defectors. And those overall light sales dragged down Verizon share prices.
Verizon Wireless stores were braced for a crushing wave of customers seeking the newly available Verizon iPhone Thursday. But thanks to a strong pre-order campaign, the crowds were lighter than expected, and happy shoppers got their phones quickly.
If Apple comes out with an iPhone 5 this summer, what happens to those customers who just shelled out a few hundred dollars for the newly released Verizon iPhone 4 this week? Consumers Union, publisher of the highly influential 'Consumer Reports,' is calling on Verizon to clarify its upgrade policy.
Verizon sold out of its iPhone 4 pre-order allotment after only 17 hours. But don't despair, they'll be available soon online again and in Verizon, Apple and a few other stores. It's starting to look like it'll be another all-night camp-out for those who want to score day-one phones.
They've waited years for this. Today, Verizon customers can pre-order their iPhone 4s. The phones should arrive on or before Feb. 10. So far, the supply is holding up, though some frustrated customers were greeted with an error message.
Verizon customers will likely flock to the Apple iPhone 4 when the largest U.S. carrier starts selling it in February. But many industry-watchers expect an iPhone 5 a few months later. And that could create a quandary for folks on the fence about their next smartphone move.
