Jefferies analyst Peter Misek claimed in a research note Friday that claimed to know details of the next iPhone. Saying that the phone was now called the iPhone 4S, he referred to "industry checks" that supported what had been rumored so far but also mentioned HSPA+ 3G support on GSM networks, implying 21Mbps. He was also told network support would expand to carriers that had been actively seeking it, including Sprint's CDMA network, T-Mobile's uncommon HSPA+ bands, and China Mobile's unique TD-SCDMA.
Most else of what he mentioned was mentioned in the past, such as better cameras, the dual-core A5 processor, and a design that could be just a minor revision of the iPhone 4. Apple wanted to include an LTE chipset, according to Misek, but wasn't ready.
Analyst claims of inside knowledge are frequently mixed and can be inaccurate. Most of what was said in the Jefferies note, however, matches with more concrete claims. HSPA+ 3G is now a common feature on HTC and Samsung phones and was already coming to phones from RIM and others. An iPhone 4-like prototype was already seen (above) running on T-Mobile USA's 3G, and talk has repeatedly surfaced of a deal with China Mobile.
Sprint is less certain, but it's technically capable of using CDMA. The company has been elusive on the subject but has always alluded to there being talks. Verizon has emphasized that it doesn't have an exclusive and may have just had the advantage of an early deal.
