Apple:Sprint::Google:Verizon

It's an interesting idea but I'm not sure it would have any benefits for Apple. Sprint has major problems from the lowest levels of customer support all the way up to management (Nextel merger?) Apple would have to gut the entire company. Sprint has no presence outside of the US so Apple would still have to deal with carriers and would still have to produce a GSM/LTE iPhone. Verizon has already committed heavily to LTE and AT&T is leaning in the same direction. Unless AT&T has a change of heart WiMax is going to be doomed in the US.

It would however make sense for Apple to cut a deal with Sprint. Sprint roams on Verizon's network so if Apple were to produce a CDMA iPhone exclusively for Sprint they could sneak into Verizon's network through the backdoor. Sprint is desperate so they probably would accept almost any terms from Apple. Sprint's monthly package costs are more reasonable than both AT&T and Verizon and this would attract a whole new market to the iPhone. Additionally Apple could offer the same CDMA model unlocked, unsubsidized, for use on Verizon's network. (if Verizon didn't want to make a deal)