The iPhone 5 is only available for three mobile carriers in the US, and hopes for an unlocked version might take a while based on new reports.
The new Apple smartphone, which is now available for pre-orders, goes on sale with a starting price of $199 to $399 pending on storage size as well as the carrier's data plans.
But which carrier is best for the iPhone 5, AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon?
It'll be a tough call between AT&T and Verizon. Both mobile companies tout themselves as having an advantage with 4G LTE, which is a new feature for the iPhone 5.
AT&T's slogan is the "nation's largest 4G network" and their network covers 275 million people with its 4G LTE available in 60 markets.
AT&T Mobility's President and CEO Ralph de la Vega stated he's "thrilled" to offer the new smartphone for AT&T. The partnership AT&T and Apple have when it comes to the iPhone dates back to the original iPhone in 2007 as AT&T exclusively sold the smartphone before any other US mobile carrier did.
AT&T also is offering a "flexibility" to their data plans for the iPhone 5 when current customers.
AT&T prices start at $649.99 for the 16GB when it's with no commitment, but a two-year contract lowers the price to $199.99. The 32GB has prices starting at $749.99 with no commitment, but you'll save $450 when signing a two-year contract to $299.99. The 64 GB's two-year contract starts at $399.99, but if no commitment is your favorite, it'll be $450 more to $849.99. These prices don't reflect AT&T's data plans which range from $100 to $245 a month.
Verizon, however, might be Apple's new best friend as Jeffries & Co.'s telecom analyst Thomas Seitz stated that Verizon will be best poised to take advantage of the iPhone 5's new 4G LTE capabilities.
Verizon's 4G network covers 75 percent of the company's 375 markets, slightly more than what AT&T has to offer.
The FaceTime feature on the iPhone 5 is another advantage for Verizon which will offer the video calling program on any data plan, unlike AT&T, who'll offer it under a shared data plan.
Verizon's Retail price for the iPhone 5 is $649.99 for either 16 or 32GB devices, while the 32GB will go on sale for $749.99. If signing a two-year contract, prices lower to $199.99 both either the 16 and 32GB devices and $299.99 for the 32GB. The 64GB's retail price is $849.99, but the two-year contract will save you $450.
The prices are without the data plans which range from $40 to $150.00 per month more.
The iPhone 5 is confirmed to feature a Retina Display screen of 4-inches with a resolution of 1136x640, two cameras with eight-megapixels on the rear and two-megapixels on the front, 4G LTE, iOS 6, and new dock connector with Lightning.
Latinos Post has helped break down and define the iPhone 5's specs ahead of next Friday's release, click here to view.
To watch some of the iPhone 5's reviews from YouTube, click here.
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