Kuo: All Three iPhones Coming in 2020 Will Support 5G

[MacRumors]

The three iPhones expected to launch in 2020 will feature support for 5G, according to a new note to investors shared today by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and obtained by MacRumors.

Kuo originally said that two of the three new iPhones coming in 2020 will support 5G, but now believes that Apple will offer 5G in all models to better compete with lower-cost Android smartphones that will support 5G. Kuo also says that following Apple's acquisition of Intel's smartphone modem chip business, Apple has more resources for developing the 5G iPhone.

We now believe that all three new 2H20 iPhone models will support 5G for the following reasons. (1) Apple has more resource for developing the 5G iPhone after the acquisition of Intel baseband business. (2) We expect that the prices of 5G Android smartphones will decline to $249-349 USD in 2H20. We believe that 5G Android smartphones, which will be sold at $249-349 USD, will only support Sub-6GHz. But the key is that consumers will think that 5G is the necessary function in 2H20. Therefore, iPhone models which will be sold at higher prices have to support 5G for winning more subsidies from mobile operators and consumers' purchase intention. (3) Boosting 5G developments could benefit Apple's AR ecosystem.

Kuo says that he expects all three new iPhone models coming in 2020 to support both mmWave and Sub-6GHz spectrum to meet the requirements of the American market, but it is not clear if Apple will launch a 5G iPhone that only supports Sub-6GHz, which would allow for a lower price. He says Apple may not have enough development resources for such a project.

Apple may have the intention to launch the 5G iPhone, which only supports Sub-6GHz, to gain market share by lowering the cost/price for markets which only support Sub-6GHz (e.g., Chinese market). However, 5G iPhone, which only supports Sub-6GHz and the version which supports mmWave & Sub-6GHz are regarded as different projects even though they share the same form factor design.

For those unfamiliar with 5G networks, there are actually two different kinds of 5G. mmWave technology is the super fast 5G that's most often talked about, but not all 5G networks are going to use mmWave technology in all areas because it's best suited to denser urban areas.

In rural and suburban areas, 5G technology will be on mid-bands and low-bands, called sub-6GHz 5G. It's still faster than 4G, but not as fast as mmWave. When 5G finishes rolling out, there will be some areas with mmWave technology where data transfer speeds will be lightning quick, coupled with other more expansive areas that are closer to 4G LTE speeds.

Over time, low-band and mid-band 5G speeds should also get much quicker, but at launch, won't be as fast as mmWave, which is most often in the spotlight.

Apple is planning to use modem chips from Qualcomm in its 2020 5G iPhone lineup, despite its recent acquisition of Intel's smartphone modem chip business. Apple is working on its own modem chips, but that technology isn't going to be ready until 2021.

Along with 5G technology, the 2020 iPhones could be available in new sizes. In a previous note, Kuo said that Apple is going to release 5.4 and 6.7-inch high-end iPhones with OLED displays along with a 6.1-inch model with an OLED display. More information on what to expect in the 2020 iPhones can be found in the dedicated what's next section of our 2019 iPhone roundup.

Article Link: Kuo: All Three iPhones Coming in 2020 Will Support 5G

 

[mozumder]

How do they expect to have a 5G chip in time for next year when they just acquired the team? It takes YEARS to produce a chip. Or was the Intel 5G chip already in the late design stages? Or maybe they only focus on sub-6Ghz 5G first and full 5G later?

 

[displayblock]

How do you refute the people that claim 5G needs more study on possible health impacts?

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

Hopefully the smallest iPhone will have premium features over the XR Size.

 

[DrumApple]

Cool so the 2019 iphones are simply a money grab, will def skip.

 

[Mighuel]

How do they expect to have a 5G chip in time for next year when they just acquired the team? It takes YEARS to produce a chip. Or was the Intel 5G chip already in the late design stages?

They’re using Qualcomm chips next year and develop their own chips for 2021 etc.

 

[dannyyankou]

Good. It shouldn’t be treated as a “premium” feature, but should be a new industry standard.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

With everything good "being 2020" I actually wonder if Apple ever cared to be releasing anything compelling or decent in 2019. It feels to me that Apple has had their "oh s$#*!!!" moment and can't do anything before then.

 

[Shanghaichica]

That’s good to hear.

 

[mtneer]

Well here comes Captain Obvious Kuo. Who would release any flagship phone in 2020 with no 5G...

 

[tresmith]

Here's hoping the 5.4 inch phone is a full featured device.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

Here's hoping the 5.4 inch phone is a full featured device.

And here's hoping for the 2nd coming of one's God and world peace.

 

[iReality85]

So basically, there is no reason to upgrade to the 2019 iPhones... unless you want the camera.

I’ll be fine with my iPhone 7 Plus for another year. And I’m also fine with Apple putting their focus on iOS. Lots of good things to look forward to with 13.

But if the rumors are accurate, then I won’t be upgrading my hardware until 2020.

 

[David1964]

How do they expect to have a 5G chip in time for next year when they just acquired the team? It takes YEARS to produce a chip. Or was the Intel 5G chip already in the late design stages? Or maybe they only focus on sub-6Ghz 5G first and full 5G later?

READ THE ARTICLE

 

[Psychicbob]

How do you like your brain served, Sir? Fried or deep-fried?

 

[macfacts]

Can someone show me the threads of complaints that LTE is slow?

 

[cmaier]

How do they expect to have a 5G chip in time for next year when they just acquired the team? It takes YEARS to produce a chip. Or was the Intel 5G chip already in the late design stages? Or maybe they only focus on sub-6Ghz 5G first and full 5G later?

They’ll use a qualcomm chip in 2020.

 

[cmaier]

So basically, there is no reason to upgrade to the 2019 iPhones... unless you want the camera.

Or the faster processor, or other new features we don’t yet know about.

Or is it your contention that the only time it’s worthwhile upgrading is when new wireless standards are supported? If so, there have only been 2 worthwhile updates so far.

 

[Pearple]

It is infuriating me that Apple only offers phablets and no decent sized small iPhone, regardless of being a budget or high end phone.

Apple execs are living in their own world, their reality distortion field, not realizing that there are people in this word, who think, that smartphones aren’t that important in their lives. They don’t want to carry bricks around.

 

[gnomeisland]

Can someone show me the threads of complaints that LTE is slow?

Agreed, but as Kuo points out consumers (at the current rate of marketing disinformation) will expect it as standard for any premium phone. Sadly I don't know that I can hold out another year on my iPhone 6. I may snag a newer old model to tide me over. Usually I buy the top model and hold it for 4-5 years but the 2019 models seem like the model year to skip.

 

[Sensa2004]

The more interesting aspect of all this is the fact that Qualcomm basically cut off their nose to spite the face as the old saying goes. Their greed and unethical business practices which led to market domination, and was (is) actively being investigated on an antitrust basis in both the US and Europe, directly or indirectly contributed to Intel's inability to compete successfully in the 5G arena.

Remember, the day after Qualcomm thought they won by locking Apple into a long term supply contract Intel folded their 5G tent. Now, several months later that business, and most importantly the associated patents, have been sold to Apple.

Apple is going to get the last laugh at the end of the day.

 

[Westside guy]

Cool so the 2019 iphones are simply a money grab, will def skip.

There are obviously still people who feel they have to have the latest Apple gizmo for whatever reason - MacRumors’ business model depends on it. But I expect the vast majority of people don’t pay attention to stuff like this, and will buy a 2019 iPhone if (and only if) they happen to be in the market for a new phone, or in 2020 under those same circumstances.

What will be interesting to watch is whether the ever-shrinking number of people who are in that first group are enough to make a blip in 2020, or if the overall number of phones sold by Apple (as with the other manufacturers) will continue its smooth downward trend.

 

[Bawstun]

Apple will absolutely not be supporting 5G in 2020. They will delay (as always) and fall behind other companies and then release it as some major new feature after they are already late to the party. Lol at anybody who thinks they’ll be leading in 5G devices right out of the gate. Not happening.
[doublepost=1564337480][/doublepost]It took them what, 3 or 4 years to bring copy & paste to iOS? But they’re gonna be among the first for 5G support? LOL.

 

[randyhudson]

This is great news. I for one was worried I would NOT be able to stream four 4K movies simultaneously.

 

[David1964]

It is infuriating me that Apple only offers phablets and no decent sized small iPhone, regardless of being a budget or high end phone.

Apple execs are living in their own world, their reality distortion field, not realizing that there are people in this word, who think, that smartphones aren’t that important in their lives. They don’t want to carry bricks around.

You don’t see any small screened Android phones either.There just isn’t a big enough market for them.