Korean Carriers Could Hold Clue to iPhone 5 LTE Mystery

[Maura]

AppleInsider writes today that the Korea Times has reported that SK Telecom and KT, who are two of Apple’s official iPhone partners in Korea, have both been in talks with Apple regarding offering LTE connectivity on the next iPhone. AppleInsider says that the Korea Times came about the information via an anonymous source. This could possibly be the most clear cut indication in recent weeks that the next iPhone will be LTE-capable. LTE 4G capability has long been rumoured to be coming to the iPhone at some point, and many have hoped and predicted that it will be a feature of the next iPhone, due to be launched by Apple on September 12, especially as the most recent version of the iPad was launched with LTE 4G capability. AppleInsider says that Apple has previously kept its iPhones LTE-free because previous LTE chipsets were too big and used up too much battery power to make them viable, but that may well not be a problem in the next iPhone, especially since companies such as Qualcomm have created new and improved chipsets.

Source: Apple's talks with Korean carriers further suggest next iPhone will support LTE networks

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[breathofice]

It could also mean that Apple might supply 2 versions of the next iPhone. An LTE version, and an international version.