iPhone 12 Black patch on iPhone 12 Mini

[philpalmiero]

What is this black patch for? I’m not impressed with the build quality. From this black patch, to the silver screws flanking the lightning connector and the black spacers in the antenna. Not great, Apple.

 

[Lsmachado]

View attachment 1675957 What is this black patch for? I’m not impressed with the build quality. From this black patch, to the silver screws flanking the lightning connector and the black spacers in the antenna. Not great, Apple.

I believe some have said it’s a 5g antenna?

 

[Apple_Robert]

That is the 5G modem antenna.

 

[philpalmiero]

Wow that’s a weird antenna. But then I’m not a telecommunications engineer. But why couldn’t Apple make it blue to match the phone?

 

[C DM]

View attachment 1675957 What is this black patch for? I’m not impressed with the build quality. From this black patch, to the silver screws flanking the lightning connector and the black spacers in the antenna. Not great, Apple.

Mystery Patch on Edge of iPhone 12 is a mmWave 5G Antenna Exclusive to U.S. Models

We've been getting a number of questions from readers about a mysterious "patch" on the edge of all of the iPhone 12 models introduced today. The patch is unlabeled on Apple's specs page, but The Verge has confirmed that it is a window for the mmWave 5G antenna. mmWave 5G support is only...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[RRC]

View attachment 1675957 What is this black patch for? I’m not impressed with the build quality. From this black patch, to the silver screws flanking the lightning connector and the black spacers in the antenna. Not great, Apple.

All iPhones have visible antenna lines?! The larger one is 5G mmwave as others have pointed out, and it can’t be painted as it wouldn’t work as well and you’d not get the same finish as on the aluminium anyway.

On my black 12 the screws are black, other models get silver.

 

[philpalmiero]

All iPhones have visible antenna lines?! The larger one is 5G mmwave as others have pointed out, and it can’t be painted as it wouldn’t work as well and you’d not get the same finish as on the aluminium anyway.

On my black 12 the screws are black, other models get silver.

Is the patch black on the Pro models?

 

[Channan]

What is this black patch for? I’m not impressed with the build quality. From this black patch, to the silver screws flanking the lightning connector and the black spacers in the antenna. Not great, Apple.

Those are all cosmetic complaints. What does that have to do with build quality?

Is the patch black on the Pro models?

It’s on all US iPhone 12 models.

 

[philpalmiero]

Those are all cosmetic complaints. What does that have to do with build quality?


It’s on all US iPhone 12 models.

Thanks for the reply

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yeah this isn’t on the European models. Not that it would bother me though as the phone is an a case all the time anyway.

 

[Strangedream]

That's the 5G millimeter wave antenna. It gives you even faster 5G when you stand near a mm-wave router, but drains even more battery. Also mm-wave is only available in the US and can't cut through walls so it's pretty much useless IMO.

 

[JSBRG]

Do you prefer the European version?

 

[Shadowbech]

Do you prefer the European version?

I for sure would hate to have that etched on my phone.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I for sure would hate to have that etched on my phone.

You can barely see it in the flesh and when the phones in a case it becomes irrelevant.

 

[Shadowbech]

You can barely see it in the flesh and when the phones in a case it becomes irrelevant.

Still I find it annoying because even if it’s in the case it’s still there.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Still I find it annoying because even if it’s in the case it’s still there.

I can’t help you there mate, but all good.

 

[miq]

If it‘s a 5G antenna, why does my iPad Air 4 (wifi) have one?

 

[RRC]

If it‘s a 5G antenna, why does my iPad Air 4 (wifi) have one?

It doesn’t. It has an area that’s used to charge the Apple Pencil.

 

[lexikon318]

Shows how much I pay attention.... haven’t even noticed it on my blue 12 ha

 

[miq]

It doesn’t. It has an area that’s used to charge the Apple Pencil.

Oh, right! Thanks!

 

[Shadowbech]

I can’t help you there mate, but all good.

LMAO. You do realize that I don't live in Europe that has this etched thing on the side and I'm glad that I'm in the US. Rather have that mmWave antenna than the etched words. haha

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

LMAO. You do realize that I don't live in Europe that has this etched thing on the side and I'm glad that I'm in the US. Rather have that mmWave antenna than the etched words. haha

I did realise yes, but I also realised it doesn’t make any difference to me whether you like it or not. It’s not important enough for me to care really.

 

[skyhawkmatthew]

LMAO. You do realize that I don't live in Europe that has this etched thing on the side and I'm glad that I'm in the US. Rather have that mmWave antenna than the etched words. haha

Or you could live in Asia and have neither!

 

[That70sGAdawg]

It’s not so much the ‘antenna”, as its a cover that lets the antenna receive signals better than through the aluminum, or glass.