Apple unlikely to release first 5G iPhone until 2020 or later

The countries where the most affluent customers live, and the cities within these countries, will almost certainly have full functional 5 G networks. I think it is a missed opportunity not to deliver in 2019. I think the iPhone XS 2 will have 5G, whereas the iPhone Xr 2 will not. But Apple needs to provide the choice for the markets where customers are willing to pay a premium for its smartphones, because these will be the countries where 5G will almost certainly be available. Moreover 5G offers many advantages besides speed (low latency being one) so the difference in "speed" of a smartphone will be noticeable (from Netflix, ti iCloud, to many other things). 5G also has the promise to allow "sim-less" devices on a greater number of carriers, which seems something Apple is very interested in.

I would count that as a mistake on Apple's part.   And a failure on Intel's part.

Multiple vendors are rolling out 5G and, it appears that, the U.S. may be falling behind China.

But, most importantly, the stories are presented that "It will be delayed a year".  
But, since most people keep their phones for 2-4 years, the impact on MOST iPhone customers will be far more than waiting "a year".

And that multi-year delay may have significant ramifications:   We have seen that progress in communications technologies -- from T1 & copper dial-up lines to cable/WiFi to wireless to LTE -- have had some of the greatest impact on computing of any other factor.   And, 5G has a potential to be one of biggest advances in that long history.

Is there any reason for this delay other than the U.S. - China security feud (thus blocking Chinese vendors) or the Apple-Qualcomm feud or Intel's incompetence?  In other words, is there any valid (technical) reason for the delay?  If the technology is there, why would Apple wait?

I for one would not want to spend a grand on a phone that is soon to be obsolete.

GeorgeBMac said:

I would count that as a mistake on Apple's part.   And a failure on Intel's part.

Multiple vendors are rolling out 5G and, it appears that, the U.S. may be falling behind China.

But, most importantly, the stories are presented that "It will be delayed a year".  
But, since most people keep their phones for 2-4 years, the impact on MOST iPhone customers will be far more than waiting "a year".

And that multi-year delay may have significant ramifications:   We have seen that progress in communications technologies -- from T1 & copper dial-up lines to cable/WiFi to wireless to LTE -- have had some of the greatest impact on computing of any other factor.   And, 5G has a potential to be one of biggest advances in that long history.

Is there any reason for this delay other than the U.S. - China security feud (thus blocking Chinese vendors) or the Apple-Qualcomm feud or Intel's incompetence?  In other words, is there any valid (technical) reason for the delay?  If the technology is there, why would Apple wait?

I for one would not want to spend a grand on a phone that is soon to be obsolete.

1) There won't be a wide US rollout in 2020, or even 2021. Most major metros won't even see any 5G until 2021, much less the rest of the country.
2) There are still 5G "standards" to shake out, as well as implementation details, because once again, we've got battling ideas from the carriers on what is best.

Mike Wuerthele said:

1) There won't be a wide US rollout in 2020, or even 2021. Most major metros won't even see any 5G until 2021, much less the rest of the country.
2) There are still 5G "standards" to shake out, as well as implementation details, because once again, we've got battling ideas from the carriers on what is best.

Yes. But in the EU it will be different. And it is a bunch of quite affluent markets. Moreover, the 2 cycle of iPhone X purchasers will be complete, so that group of customers will see their contract open up for renewal and subsidies (quite common in Europe) and will most certainly be on the lookout for a new smartphone.

( Excerpt from the 5G Europe Action plan:)

• Align roadmaps and priorities for a coordinated 5G deployment across all EU Member states, targeting early network introduction by 2018, and moving towards commercial large scale introduction by the end of 2020 at the latest.
• Make provisional spectrum bands available for 5G ahead of the 2019 World Radio Communication Conference (WRC-19), to be complemented by additional bands as quickly as possible, and work towards a recommended approach for the authorisation of the specific 5G spectrum bands above 6GHz.
• Promote early deployment in major urban areas and along major transport paths.
• Promote pan-European multi-stakeholder trials as catalysts to turn technological innovation into full business solutions.
• Facilitate the implementation of an industry-led venture fund in support of 5G-based innovation.
• Unite leading actors in working towards the promotion of global standards.