Verizon iPhone in 2009 Unlikely - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Verizon iPhone in 2009 Unlikely

9to5mac claims to have heard from a "tipster" that Apple could announce a Verizon iPhone as early as Macworld San Francisco 2009. 9to5 points to "falsely reported rumors" about Apple's exclusivity deal with AT&T "if one exists".

The problem with the report is that the Apple and AT&T exclusivity deal is fact, not rumor. AT&T's Stan Sigman announced that the iPhone was exclusive to AT&T in a "multi-year" contract at Macworld San Francisco when the iPhone was first launched.

While the length of the contract remains up for debate, the last report from USA Today claims that AT&T's exclusivity with the iPhone has been extended to 2010:

In exchange for its payout, AT&T got a year extension, into 2010, on its exclusive distribution deal with Apple, people familiar with the matter say. Sources asked to not be named because the terms are confidential.

Unless this most recent USA Today report is wrong, Apple will be unable to launch an iPhone on Verizon's network until at least 2010. And if they do decide to do so, Apple will have to manufacture a different iPhone to be compatible with Verizon's network.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Month With These 12 New Features

Thursday August 6, 2026 7:03 am PDT by
It is now August, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are just a month away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card in Wallet Now Available in Four More Countries

Thursday August 6, 2026 6:01 am PDT by
Apple has expanded support for the Apple Account Card in the Wallet app to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta. The Apple Account Card option for Wallet started rolling out in 2022, and Apple has been gradually expanding to more countries since then. The card displays the balance associated with a user's Apple Account and can be used to make purchases in the Apple Store, online, or for...
Everything Apple Is Expected to Announce in September Feature

Everything Apple Is Expected to Announce in September

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple is going to announce at least five new devices next month at its annual iPhone-centric event, though it's possible we'll also get devices that were waiting on Siri AI. Here's what's coming. iPhone 18 Pro Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro is going to look a lot like the iPhone 17 Pro, but with a smaller Dynamic Island. It's getting a new Wide camera with a variable aperture for more...