Apple readying 6 million Verizon iPhones

(Dolan Media Newswires) — Apple has raised the bar on the number of iPhones it expects to ship in the first quarter of 2011, indicating an imminent release of the popular smart phone on Verizon Wireless, DigiTimes reports.

Apple had previously set a goal of 13 million units to 15 million units for the first quarter, but recently adjusted that to between 19 and 21 million units. DigiTimes’ sources close to a Taiwan-based component supplier said that Apple will ready 5 to 6 million CDMA-based iPhones for North America and Asia Pacific, compatible with Verizon’s infrastructure.

A Verizon-based iPhone has long been rumored, ever since the phone first launched in June 2007 exclusively on the AT&T network. Verizon was originally offered an exclusive deal for the iPhone, but ultimately passed on it when Apple demanded to maintain more control over the operations of the phone than Verizon preferred.