iSuppli

Although most recent predictions have stated that Apple will end its exclusive iPhone relationship with carrier AT&T, a new report filed Thursday by iSuppli predicts that Apple will extend its exclusive deal with AT&T next year, based on anticipated growth of High Speed Packet Access technology being adopted by the wireless carrier. According to AppleInsider, the report states that HSPA subscribers are projected to hit 1.4 billion in 2012, while competing standard EVDO, used by Verizon, will have only 304.6 million users by 2013.

iSuppli took a guess last month at approximately how much they thought the components of the iPhone 3G cost in total, concluding that it would be around $173<>. Of course, they didn't actually have one then so they were just guessing, but now they've gotten their hands on one and they've calculated the price to be $174.33, not far off from their first estimate. Of course, this doesn't include the cost of software development, shipping and distribution, packaging and miscellaneous accessories.