AT&T: Faster Internet for 3G iPhone in '08


Bloomberg reports that Apple will introduce a revised iPhone next year that will be capable of faster internet download speeds, AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson said.

The next revamp of the iPhone will see it support 3G networks.

"You'll have it next year," Stephenson said, when he was asked about a 3G iPhone. Stephenson was speaking to a meeting of the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, California.

Stephenson also hinted that the 3G iPhone would cost more than current models, although he said Apple CEO Steve Jobs would determine the pricing.

Piper Jaffrey's Gene Munster said the news could cause some buyers to hold off buying an iPhone this holiday season, but that this would be unlikely to make a significant dent in iPhone sales for the Xmas quarter. Munster has maintained his 'buy' rating on AAPL.

Jobs has also held back on 3G, due largely to the drain on batteries. He said earlier this year that Apple was waiting on higher-octane batteries that could last up to 5 hours with 3G phones, which he hoped would come to market 'late' 2008.

Analysis: Will you buy iPhone this Xmas or wait for the 3G edition? How much more would you pay for the 3G model?