iLounge

Verizon Wireless and Apple have officially announced a CDMA variant of the iPhone 4. The design of the CDMA handset is similar to that of the GSM model, but features a revised antenna design with a noticeable black line above the ring/silent switch, as well as a Personal Hotspot feature that allows it to provide wireless Internet access to up to five devices at a time. Apart from CDMA and the Personal Hotspot, the phone’s feature set appears to have remained the same, with a five megapixel rear video camera, 720p HD video recording, the Retina Display, a front-facing camera, and A4 chip. Notably, due to the limitations of Verizon’s CDMA network, the device will be unable to handle simultaneous voice and data connections; neither will the CDMA version of the iPhone be exclusive to Verizon Wireless. The CDMA iPhone 4 will be available for pre-order to existing Verizon customers beginning February 3, while all other customers will be able to order starting February 10, the official launch date. Pricing is set at $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model with a new two year customer agreement.

“We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” said Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”

“Verizon Wireless customers have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on iPhone 4, and we think they are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We have enormous respect for the company Verizon has built and the loyalty they have earned from their customers.”

For analysis of the Verizon iPhone announcement, see our Backstage article.