Availability

• The landmark contract that only allowed AT&T to sell the iPhone for the first years after the release benefited both Apple and AT&T. AT&T essentially paid Apple for the rights to be the sole service provider and work with Apple during the development period for the iPhone. In turn, AT&T netted new customers that made the switch from their old service providers specifically for the iPhone. When that contract ended in 2011, Verizon was finally able to begin marketing the phone as well.
  
  

Contracts

• When you visit a Verizon store or call customer service, you'll notice that the iPhone is sold with a two-year contract term. In order to purchase and use your iPhone with Verizon's service, you'll need to sign for two years. While this may not bother you if you've had and been satisfied with Verizon's service, it may be a concern if you've never used Verizon before. As a current customer, you can upgrade your account to include an iPhone and accompanying data plan, otherwise a new contract will apply.
  
  

Pricing

• As of 2011, the entry-level iPhone 4 16 GB was priced at $200 for new Verizon contracts. Unfortunately, if you're already a Verizon customer, you may get stuck paying a larger amount in order to purchase the phone and upgrade your account -- to the tune of the full retail price of $650, reports "PC World." Verizon has been reluctant to apply existing upgrades to the purchase of an iPhone, so it may be pricier than you expected and cost about $100 more if you choose the 32 GB version.
  
  

Differences

• The Verizon iPhone 4 is slightly different than the AT&T version, stemming from the technology differences between the two networks. If you purchased your iPhone from AT&T, it will not work on the Verizon network, as AT&T models use SIM cards and Verizon models do not. This means you won't be able to swap networks while using a Verizon iPhone. You'll notice immediately that the silver antennae strip looks slightly different on the Verizon model and offers a lighter battery and a softer vibration when in vibrate mode. Unfortunately, due to Verizon's technology, you will not be able to surf the Web while on a call like you can with AT&T, which may be a major drawback for some users.