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Why would the cost of making a Verizon/Sprint compatible phone outweigh the profit from those customers? What would the cost be to make a phone with both radios
by allenp 17y ago
Why would the cost of making a Verizon/Sprint compatible phone outweigh the profit from those customers? What would the cost be to make a phone with both radios?
I just really can't imagine Apple not wanting to be available to the most consumers possible if the costs are low enough.
Edit: also I just found this, so at the very least, it does look like there would be chips available to support this - http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/06/iphone.may.have.cdma.option.next.year/ http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/06/iphone.may.hav...
- jonknee 17y agoSplitting the product line in two is a significant cost (besides engineering, you need to do QA, licensing, support, manufacturing etc). It's not as simple as switching out the chips, mobile phones are very complicated and smartphone in particular are exceedingly so. Engineering is in a constant battle with design to come up with something that works, even something as simple as finishes/paint cause great differences in reception and need to be customized for the radio and radio placement. I'm sure they'd do it if they thought it would be profitable, but they'd also be giving up the exclusivity money from AT&T which has to factor into it.