Will Sprint be the Next iPhone Carrier?

Every possible future iPhone scenario has already been theorized this year, but what about a new iPhone carrier? Starting tomorrow Sprint will be one of the last U.S. carriers to offer unlimited data plans, and with the rise of the Android Market, the days of Apple exclusivity looks to be coming to an end.

Analyst Shing Yin of Citadel Securities believes we will see an iPhone added to Sprint's arsenal by the 2011 holiday season. Out of all the analyst predictions and rumors this one seems quite plausible, however, there are no known talks between Apple and Sprint about an upcoming deal.

Sprint iPhone

When asked about a possible future Apple/Sprint team-up, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said, “What is this — like the 55th time I’ve been asked that one? Something like that. And of course, we can’t comment on any potential discussions with any of our suppliers.”

Most analysts seem to agree that Apple needs to find a way to stifle the Android device competition, and to do so they will have to address the mid-range mobile phone market. RBC Capital Markets' analyst Mike Abramsky thinks Apple will offer free iPhones to attract people on a budget.

Other analysts believe Apple will introduce the iPhone 5 and a cheaper iPhone model this fall. Either way, a Sprint iPhone is just another rumor to throw on the rumor bonfire.

[via All Things]