Verizon CFO Reveals Next iPhone to Be a 'Global Device'

160542 verizon iphone mdm6600 500
Qualcomm's "world-mode" MDM6600 wireless chip found in CDMA iPhone 4 and iPad 2
(Source: iFixit's Verizon iPhone teardown)

As noted by Barron's, Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo revealed during a conference call discussing the carrier's earnings announcement that Apple's next iPhone will be a "global device", presumably referring to a world-mode phone supporting both GSM and CDMA connectivity rather than having separate models for each network standard.

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo, asked about the sluggishness of the company's ARPU growth in Q1, when the iPhone was introduced - growth was just 2.2%, compared to 2.5% in Q4, remarked:

"The fluctuation, I believe, will come when a new device from Apple is launched, whenever that may be, and that we will be, on the first time, on equal footing with our competitors on a new phone hitting the market, which will also be a global device."

The existing CDMA iPhone 4 already carries a world-mode wireless chip from Qualcomm inside it, but the company presumably opted to build the device as CDMA-only in order to simplify the antenna construction. The iPad 2 carries the same wireless chip, but Apple still decided not to build a universal global device capable of operating on either standard.

But if Shammo's comment is correct, it appears that Apple may finally make the leap to a single design supporting both CDMA and GSM with the release of the fifth-generation iPhone rumored for introduction in September.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...

Top Rated Comments

Thunderhawks Avatar
188 months ago
My Thunderbolt is soon going to be a world-enabled phone.

And it's better than the crappy iPhone.

You forgot :

nyaah, nyaaah, nay nyaayah.

Can you please give your dad his computer back?

Little kids shouldn't be on adult forums.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
osofast240sx Avatar
188 months ago
My Thunderbolt is soon going to be a world-enabled phone.

And it's better than the crappy iPhone.
:rolleyes::confused:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tones2 Avatar
188 months ago
Yeah, let's just keep repeating the same predictions over and over. :rolleyes:

Guess what, the iPhone 5 is also prediced to not come out until September! Shocking isn't it? :p

Tony
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Thanatoast Avatar
188 months ago
I hope this is true, particularly concerning the iPads. Having 18 different models to stock makes it a wee bit complicated to get the right balance.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kdarling Avatar
188 months ago
That's the real question: what form of carrier-locking? Would it really support an overseas pay-per-use cheap SIM while locking out all US carriers?

Verizon's had many dual mode phones in the past few years, RIM and WinMo and others.

The answer is yes, if you're in good standing they'll usually unlock the GSM side so you can use local SIMs overseas.

Which is a bit funny, because it actually made a Verizon dual mode phone a better choice for world travel than a locked ATT iPhone.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icstars989 Avatar
188 months ago
Verizon worked so hard to get the iPhone. Now some idiot will ruin it for them. Stay classy Verizon.

What is your gripe with VZW? Every chance you get I see you bashing it one way or another? What have they done thats so bad to you that you have go out of your way and post on every possible VZ thread there is and say something snarky and most times ill informed? :confused:
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)