The cost of 4G LTE devices could drop significantly next year as manufacturers begin increasing chipset volume

The price of 4G LTE-equipped phone coulds see a major drop next years as chipset manufacturers begin increasing volume. 

According to DigiTimes, the volume of single-mode LTE chips is set to increase in the second half of 2011 and Qualcomm is expected to deliver its next-generation multi-mode LTE chips in first-half 2012.

DigiTimes sources also note that “LTE network interface cards are expected to drop from US$110-120 currently to US$50-60 in second-half 2012.”

Hopefully, the lower the price of LTE components will be passed on to consumers in the form of more affordable smartpnones and tablets. 

As BGR points out, this will benefit early adopters  - the kind that might have paid $300 to get their hands on Verizon’s DROID Charge when it was released. 

So if you are in the market for an LTE phone, it might do your wallet good to exercise a little patience. 2012 promises to be a big year for LTE, and there will be more phones (like the iPhone 5 perhaps) with more carriers (like AT&T) getting into the game. 

Source: Know Your Cell – Cell Phone News, Reviews, Features and More