Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Internal Apple Document From Leaker 'Unknownz21' Confirms Wi-Fi 6E Will Be Limited to iPhone 15 Pro Models

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,563
30,892


Multiple rumors have suggested that the next-generation iPhone 15 models will adopt the Wi-Fi 6E standard that Apple has already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, and now a leaked document appears to confirm Apple's plans.

iphone-15-pro-wifi-6e.jpg

Sourced from researcher and Apple leaker Unknownz21 (@URedditor), the document features diagrams of the iPhone 15's antenna architecture. D8x refers to the iPhone 15 Pro models, and the information indicates that the faster Wi-Fi 6E specification will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The standard iPhone 15 models, labeled as D3y, will continue to use Wi-Fi 6 rather than Wi-Fi 6E. For further reference, D7x refers to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, and D2y refers to the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, with the document outlining antenna design changes between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. MacRumors has seen additional documentation indicating that Wi-Fi 6E will be a Pro only feature.

As of now, Wi-Fi 6E has already been added to some of Apple's product lineup, but it is limited to the latest iPad Pro, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models. Apple has not previously restricted new Wi-Fi standards to a Pro iPhone, but the iPhone 15 Pro models will have several features that are not available in the iPhone 15, and limiting it makes sense from a cost and availability perspective.

Wi-Fi 6E allows devices to connect to routers and modems that support the Wi-Fi 6E standard, but it is a newer technology and is not yet widespread. Wi-Fi 6E routers are readily available, but because they have only started launching over the past few years, many people and businesses have not yet upgraded. Wi-Fi 6E routers include the 6GHz band in addition to the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, and to use 6GHz, both a Wi-Fi 6E router and a Wi-Fi 6E device are required.

Compared to Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E offers more bandwidth, providing faster connectivity speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity. Wi-Fi 6E provides 1.2GHz more spectrum in the 6GHz band, and it can support whole home gigabit coverage, multi-gigabit connectivity for venues, and it has the bandwidth for higher data streams like those used for AR and VR experiences.

Since Wi-Fi 6E requires both routers and devices to support the standard, it is largely an empty band at this time with little traffic, which means iPhone 15 Pro models with Wi-Fi 6E will be able to connect to Wi-Fi 6E networks that don't have much competition in terms of traffic from other devices.

Unknownz21 has in the past leaked information on devices like the iPhone 14, and back in 2020, he was able to source a copy of iOS 14 ahead of its launch, sharing details about the update. Unknownz21 told MacRumors that the diagram is "only the tip of the iceberg" and that additional leaks on the iPhone 15 series, including full images, will be coming ahead of when the iPhone 15 models are scheduled to move into the EVT (engineering validation test) stage in March.

Documents that he has obtained also confirm that the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature faster 3nm A17 chips and solid-state volume and power buttons. The iPhone 15 models will continue to use A16 chips, as previously rumored, and will not feature the redesigned volume buttons.

Article Link: Internal Apple Document From Leaker 'Unknownz21' Confirms Wi-Fi 6E Will Be Limited to iPhone 15 Pro Models
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/27/wifi-6e-iphone-15-pro-models/
  • Angry
  • Love
  • Haha
Reactions: addamas, u+ive and SFjohn
Realityck

Realityck

macrumors G4
Nov 9, 2015
10,135
15,189
Silicon Valley, CA
MacRumors said:
Sourced from researcher and Apple leaker Unknownz21 (@URedditor), the document features diagrams of the iPhone 15's antenna architecture. D8x refers to the iPhone 15 Pro models, and the information indicates that the faster Wi-Fi 6E specification will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Click to expand...
I guess this is where they start to offer features to prop up the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max over the iPhone 15. Sad.

Really how hard would it be to use a newer WiFi chip on all the iPhone 15 models?
 
  • Like
  • Disagree
Reactions: MacClueless, MacMediaNet, Digitalweddings and 44 others
L

Lounge vibes 05

macrumors 68040
May 30, 2016
3,582
10,521
While this is quite easy to predict, I’d still say it’s absolutely not certain.
It’s January still. The phones don’t even usually go into production until like May or June, and then release in September.
I highly doubt they’ve made every single decision just yet, and given that it just comes from an internal document that can change very quickly in the nine months we still have before the phone actually releases.
Same goes for pricing, I feel like I’ve been hearing that they’ll be an iPhone that starts at $1299 US for the last four years, and every time it still starts at $999 for the pros.
 
  • Like
Reactions: whcchief and SFjohn
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️

Suspended
Jun 18, 2013
52,531
233,183
💃🏻 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America 🎗️
flofixer said:
The gap between the pro and regular models continues to increase
Click to expand...
Apple wants to have the consumers purchase only the Pro models. Apple seriously needs to consider moving the regular dollar iPhone lineup in the Spring event. Save the Fall event just for the Pro models exclusively.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Digitalweddings, whatgift, TheSynchronizer and 24 others
adamw

adamw

macrumors 6502a
Sep 22, 2006
750
1,823
Come on Apple, you can do better than this... Wi-Fi 6E only for the iPhone 15 Pro models? Everyone very often uses Wi-Fi on their phone when at home, work, or at other times. Give us our fix for the need for speed with Wi-Fi 6E please!
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Digitalweddings, u+ive, omglolbbq and 6 others
S

StuBeck

macrumors 6502a
May 6, 2008
763
1,135
Lounge vibes 05 said:
While this is quite easy to predict, I’d still say it’s absolutely not certain.
It’s January still. The phones don’t even usually go into production until like May or June, and then release in September.
I highly doubt they’ve made every single decision just yet, and given that it just comes from an internal document that can change very quickly in the nine months we still have before the phone actually releases.
Same goes for pricing, I feel like I’ve been hearing that they’ll be an iPhone that starts at $1299 US for the last four years, and every time it still starts at $999 for the pros.
Click to expand...
If we've learned anything following the M2 Pro/Max chip saga, these types of leaks aren't to be trusted like they were in the past.

Its also such a tiny detail that it doesn't really matter. Wifi 6 or 6E, most users won't have fast enough internet to have it make sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HappyIntro, one more, TVreporter and 3 others
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️

Suspended
Jun 18, 2013
52,531
233,183
💃🏻 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America 🎗️
StuBeck said:
If we've learned anything following the M2 Pro/Max chip saga, these types of leaks aren't to be trusted like they were in the past.

Its also such a tiny detail that it doesn't really matter. Wifi 6 or 6E, most users won't have fast enough internet to have it make sense.
Click to expand...
Unless we see an official AirPort Router only Made by Apple. I don't expect or see a major difference in speed. As you stated; it's just a tiny detail with literally no benefits yet Apple will slap a $100 Pro price.
 
  • Like
  • Disagree
Reactions: astorre, darthgreen, phill85 and 6 others
X

xxray

macrumors 68040
Jul 27, 2013
3,030
9,140
Don’t want to sound like a sheep, but considering how long Wi-Fi versions are supported, this isn’t really a big deal. The every day people who order the non-Pro versions won’t notice. Wi-Fi 6 will be supported long before the phone dies or the user upgrades.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: beanbaguk, HVDynamo, gund1234 and 9 others
J

jwdsail

macrumors 6502a
Mar 3, 2004
851
922
flofixer said:
The gap between the pro and regular models continues to increase
Click to expand...

Yup, all they need to do now is add a Home Button w/ TouchID, and I'll throw them all my money for a Pro.

I'm mostly kidding, of course, that ship has sadly sailed.

But, could you imagine how many of the Home Button haters on here would act like it was the best thing ever if Apple did make a Home Button w/ TouchID a Pro exclusive on the 16?

:)

apple.com/feedback
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Love
Reactions: gusmula, lugworm, ThomasJL and 9 others
imnotthewalrus

imnotthewalrus

macrumors 6502a
Nov 20, 2015
923
2,061
earth
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗 said:
Apple wants to have the consumers purchase only the Pro models. Apple seriously needs to consider moving the regular dollar iPhone lineup in the Spring event. Save the Fall event just for the Pro models exclusively.
Click to expand...
That is a popular theory, and I don't discount it - but - if they widen the price range between the base phones vs. pro phones, especially if they lower the base phone prices (I know, I know...) they won't get stuck with a bunch of phones (looking at you, iPhone 14 Plus) that don't sell. I just have a hard time believing Apple is okay with launching devices that have practically ZERO chance of selling. Waste of money. That's my story, but I reserve the right to abandon it at any time...😂

Edit: The spring event is a way too...
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: SFjohn and TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom