El Segundo, Calif. - Several key changes made to the Verizon Wireless version of the iPhone 4 point to updates that will likely be included in the next-generation iPhone expected to be unveiled later this year, IHS iSuppli said.

 In an initial teardown analysis of the Verizon version, IHS iSuppli found that Apple updated the iPhone 4 antenna design to improve reception via a dual-antenna antenna-diversity design. Apple nonetheless kept the iPhone 4's "fundamental integrated antenna and enclosure design," the company said.

 The new model might also have eliminated a discrete GPS chip --previously supplied by Broadcom -- to use the integrated GPS functionality of Qualcomm's MDM6600 baseband processor, which replaces the Infineon PMB9801 baseband processor used in the AT&T iPhone 4. "The MDM chipset from Qualcomm is essentially an entry-level chip and provides savings for Apple both in terms of device complexity and in the cost of manufacturing," IHS iSuppli said.

 The company is performing a full teardown analysis of the device, including a complete bill of materials and hardware cost assessment.