William Gallagher
A financial analyst claims that Apple will divide its 5G launches into one for the slower sub-6GHz "iPhone 12" in September, and one for the faster mmWave models in December or January 2021.
While Apple reportedly remains on track to release a 5G capable "iPhone 12" later this year, a new report from financial analysis firm Susquehanna claims that the launch will be in two parts. At the regular September unveiling, analyst Mehdi Hosseini says Apple will release only phones that use the slower sub-6GHz variant of 5G.
Then further iPhones with the faster mmWave 5G may launch in December this year or January of 2021.
"The delay in the launch," says Hosseini in a note seen by StreetInsider, "stems from Apple's decision to in-source the Antenna-in-Package (AiP) modules instead of purchasing from the third party."
Apple has previously long been reported to be developing its own 5G modem. Initially reports claimed it would be ready by 2025, then estimates came down to 2022.
Following the recent settlement of legal disputes between the two companies, Qualcomm has reportedly been developing 5G "as fast as we can." At the same time, Intel withdrew from 5G development and Apple subsequently bought that firm's modem business.
Susquehenna's Hosseini expects Apple to make 52 million of the sub-6GHz iPhones and then 8 million of the mmWave version.
The same report says that Apple will continue to use LCD for one of the sub-6GHz iPhones rather than switching to OLED for the whole range.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
24 Comments
I already have 5Ge on my iPhone X!
/s
I suspect this analyst is mistaken as that strategy doesn't make any sense. If Apple delays the launch of 5G phones until December/January and everyone know they are delaying it until December/January, sales for the September release will be slow until then while even people who end up buying September models will wait to see what's coming later. If it's not generally known, there will be a lot of disappointed people who bought September phones and sales for the December/January models will suffer because people have already done their annual upgrade. If there is uncertainty about whether it will happen, sales for the September models will suffer while people wait to see if new models are coming in December/January.
Seems like bad news for Apple in all scenarios. Seems unlikely they wouldn't think through the scenarios. Apple doesn't generally do stupid things.
No mwave no purchase Apple...
Do not buy they are going to split the launch. it creates a level of complexity that Apple tends to avoid and it will also create market confusion which they avoid at all cost when it is in their control. When I see analysis statements like this it just shows me they do not understand the company they are being paid to understand.