Apple's Cook says 5G rollout still in 'early innings'

Apple CEO Tim Cook believes that 5G is still in its 'early innings' and that the iPhone will continue to grow thanks to demand for the technology.

Customers can buy the iPhone 12 around the world, but many markets don't have 5G in any form. Apple expects demand for a 5G-enabled iPhone will remain strong going forward thanks to currently low 5G penetration.

The fastest form of 5G, mmWave, is only available on iPhone in select cities in the United States. Even if other countries have the band, Apple doesn't enable it outside of the U.S.

Sales of iPhone in China have also been attributed to the 5G demand boom, but Apple still only represents a small portion of that market.

"We're in the very early innings of 5G," Cook said during Apple's earnings call for the third quarter of 2021. "There are only a couple of countries that are in the double digits."

Despite analysts doubts surrounding continued iPhone growth, Cook says "we feel really good about the future of the iPhone."

The third quarter earnings report revealed Apple once again broke revenue records in Q3. iPhone sales reached $39.6 billion for the quarter, an increase of 52% from $25.98 billion seen in 2020.

Apple is expected to expand its 5G lineup with a 5G-enabled iPhone SE and the upcoming "iPhone 13." The company may also expand mmWave support to other countries as its push for growth continues.

9 Comments

Xed 2871 comments · 4 Years

About 3 years ago

For me this is still the least appealing advancement in the iPhone. Maybe in a couple years 5G will be fast enough (where implemented) and widespread enough for me to actually give a shit.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

Xed said:

For me this is still the least appealing advancement in the iPhone. Maybe in a couple years 5G will be fast enough (where implemented) and widespread enough for me to actually give a shit.

Yes, it turns out 5G is one of the biggest marketing hypes in tech history, of little use to mobile and wearable products. Apple was ,as usual, excoriated for not jumping on the 5G bandwagon immediately. At this point 5G is a solution in search of a problem. Like you say, maybe in 5 years 5G will be worth having, especially with the associated higher prices for the service.

EVH237 4 comments · 7 Years

5G on my iPhone is a terrific service at times when I get within range. One of my freelance clients needs photos, 3D captures and documents with photos baked in uploaded from my iPhone. When I’m on 5G it is a quick process while LTE in other areas in the same metro struggles. So I’m happy it’s been implemented, though I can see where the average user might not be getting much value out of it.

mattinoz 2473 comments · 9 Years

lkrupp said:

Xed said:

For me this is still the least appealing advancement in the iPhone. Maybe in a couple years 5G will be fast enough (where implemented) and widespread enough for me to actually give a shit.

Yes, it turns out 5G is one of the biggest marketing hypes in tech history, of little use to mobile and wearable products. Apple was ,as usual, excoriated for not jumping on the 5G bandwagon immediately. At this point 5G is a solution in search of a problem. Like you say, maybe in 5 years 5G will be worth having, especially with the associated higher prices for the service.

Take out mmWave it was a good and worthy change to 4G that improved a-lot things for the general customer. mmWave is just a waste given it has marginal benefits that are slowing the good things getting to customers

MplsP 4020 comments · 8 Years

mattinoz said:

lkrupp said:

Xed said:

For me this is still the least appealing advancement in the iPhone. Maybe in a couple years 5G will be fast enough (where implemented) and widespread enough for me to actually give a shit.

Yes, it turns out 5G is one of the biggest marketing hypes in tech history, of little use to mobile and wearable products. Apple was ,as usual, excoriated for not jumping on the 5G bandwagon immediately. At this point 5G is a solution in search of a problem. Like you say, maybe in 5 years 5G will be worth having, especially with the associated higher prices for the service.

Take out mmWave it was a good and worthy change to 4G that improved a-lot things for the general customer. mmWave is just a waste given it has marginal benefits that are slowing the good things getting to customers

Such as?