According to recent reports and an updated note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to launch three new iPhones with 5G support in 2020.
The tech giant was earlier expected to launch two 5G-supported iPhones next year. A third, smaller smartphone was not expected to have 5G support.
But Kuo, who is frequently accurate in his Apple predictions, revised his outlook. According to MacRumours, all three iPhones will support 5G, so the company can better compete with cheap Android devices that have the capability. It could also boost the uptake of augmented reality applications. Though, how much this matters to customers depends largely on location. Some carriers will have nationwide 5G coverage from every carrier until the 2021 iPhone launch.
The firm currently has a better capacity to develop 5G technology after purchasing the bulk of Intel’s modem business in a $1 billion deal. Kuo excepts the new smartphones to superfast mmWave5G, along with the slightly slower sub-6GHz 5G.
Kuo said, “We now believe that all three new 2H20 iPhone models will support 5G for the following reasons. (1) Apple has more resource for developing the 5G iPhone after the acquisition of Intel baseband business. (2) We expect that the prices of 5G Android smartphones will decline to $249-349 in 2H20. We believe that 5G Android smartphones, which will be sold at $249-349, will only support Sub-6GHz. But the key is that consumers will think that 5G is the necessary function in 2H20. Therefore, iPhone models that will be sold at higher prices have to support 5G for winning more subsidies from mobile operators and consumers’ purchase intention. (3) Boosting 5G developments could benefit Apple’s AR ecosystem.”
5G support is expected to be the biggest upgrade for the new iPhones, which will likely feature chips from both Qualcomm and Samsung. The new smartphones may integrate Touch ID into the screen for the first time, and feature an updated 3D camera.
