Kuo: mmWave 5G iPhones Have 'Potential Delay Risk,' Production on 6.7-Inch iPhone Delayed to October

[MacRumors]

Some of Apple's upcoming 5G iPhones could see a delay in production, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a note shared with investors. mmWave models, which will feature the fastest 5G functionality, have a "potential delay risk" and may launch outside of the normal timeline.

Production on the mmWave iPhone may be pushed back because of changes to the antenna package that were made in early April, and delays in qualification process services.

The mmWave iPhone will be pushed back because the design of the antenna in package (AiP) changes in early April. Additionally, the test lab is closed and can't offer qualification process services. If the pandemic can't be controlled well until July, then we think that the shipment allocation of mmWave iPhones will decrease to 5-10% from 15-20%.

Kuo says the rumored 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch iPhones will go into mass production in September, but mass production on the larger 6.7-inch iPhone will be delayed until October because it has the "most complicated" design.

Apple decided to start the online qualification process remotely and delegate more tasks to local employees for new iPhone development. The change takes time; therefore, it had caused a one-month delay in entering the engineering verification test (EVT) for all new 2H20 iPhones. We believe that there is a likelihood that new 2H20 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch iPhones will go into mass production in September. The mass production of the new 2H20 6.7-inch iPhone will be delayed to October because this model's design is the most complicated.

Delaying mass production on the 6.7-inch iPhone until October would result in the iPhone launching later in the fall than expected. Other rumors have also suggested Apple could stagger iPhone launches this year due to production and verification process delays.

According to Kuo, iPhone SE sales were better than expected, but overall demand for iPhones is down. In the worst case scenario, Kuo estimates second quarter iPhone shipments of 29 to 32 million units, declining 20 to 25 percent year over year.

If consumer confidence and purchasing power recover in the third quarter of 2020, iPhone shipments could fall as little as 10 to 15 percent year over year.

Article Link: Kuo: mmWave 5G iPhones Have 'Potential Delay Risk,' Production on 6.7-Inch iPhone Delayed to October

 

[PickUrPoison]

October or even November, doesn’t really matter. If it’s late, it’s late. It’ll be the least of anyone’s worries.

 

[Dwalls90]

iPhone 4S and iPhone XR launched in October. iPhone X launched in November. It's not like this is totally unprecedented, and not that bad of a rumored delay considering the challenges the world is facing.

 

[Wags]

Not really a news flash. Don’t want us to forget him.

 

[triangletechie]

The 11 Pro models are amazing devices. Waiting a little longer on the 12 won't be a big deal for me and I suspect for other 11 Pro owners.

 

[mtneer]

What's all the fuss about this mmWave? From what I understand you can only use it within line of sight from a tower unit and is very sensitive to even slight changes in unit orientation. So, how is this better than just plain old WiFi???

 

[Jury]

5G is not important for Apple. However, Apple can sell an external device like lightning to camera module which will be a good idea for people who want to use it for facetime calls on iPhone 12 until Apple can know how to integrate the camera under the screen.

 

[gusping]

I will be waiting then. A non mmWave 5G is pointless to me as I plan on keeping the new phone or 3 years or so.

 

[rmoliv]

So we can expect no iPhones launching before November, maybe December this year?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Not a big deal for consumers. Potentially big deal for Apple if they miss the holiday season.

 

[Michael Scrip]

What's all the fuss about this mmWave? From what I understand you can only use it within line of sight from a tower unit and is very sensitive to even slight changes in unit orientation.

Exactly.

I'm a Verizon customer. But since Verizon has decided to go with the mmWave flavor of 5G... I'll probably never use it.

I'm rarely in a downtown environment where these 5G nodes are on poles lining the streets. Same for stadiums and arenas.

You're right... mmWave is very finicky in terms of distance and obstructions. You need to be within a couple hundred feet of a 5G node... and in clear sight.

Meanwhile... the other carriers are using a different flavor of 5G that broadcasts a couple miles from a tower. It's similar to the way 4G/LTE works.

Granted... the other 5G isn't as fast as mmWave... but you also don't need to be standing within sight of a node.

I dunno... I've never had an issue with plain ol' 4G. The only times I have a problem with a connection is when I literally have a problem with a connection. Think a "cabin in the woods" scenario.

But if I don't have 4G in my vacation cabin... I probably won't have 5G either.

So overall... I'm pretty "meh" on 5G... particularly since I'm on Verizon with their boneheaded mmWave implementation.

Chances are I'll be using 4G most of the time anyway... even if I have a 5G phone in a supposed 5G area.

I will be upgrading to a new iPhone this Fall... but 5G is not at the top of my list of needs/wants.

 

[AppleFan91]

Only thing that sucks about this is it’s an extra payment or two which is at least $100 if you have pro model. Normally I trade in every 12 months on Apple’s iUP. Can’t really do that this time. May be worth not trading it in and selling it elsewhere for once

(Yes, it’s technically *worth it* every year, but this year even more so)

 

[44267547]

Macrumors, we know there’s a potential for Apple product delays this year, I think any tech manufacturers will be facing delays/cancellations.

The only concern I would say for Apple, isn’t necessarily a ‘delay‘, but would be the ‘holiday peak‘ season in terms of capitalizing on launching the phone during a timeframe that’s most popular. I think things have the ability to dramatically change or become a situation for Apple that isn’t promising no matter what they do. But as of right now, the economy is not on their side.

 

[Baymowe335]

Too early to know. Apple has a history of getting devices to market.

 

[blairh]

So the 5.4” model and 6.1” models will be shipping in October. And the 6.7” model in November.

 

[Mattlcook]

Starting to get a bad feeling that only the larger 6.7" (Max) phone will get the new "iPad Pro" case design that has been rumored. That would be really disappointing. Count me among those who want as small a phone as possible, but would love this new design.

 

[Metrosey]

The 11 Pro models are amazing devices. Waiting a little longer on the 12 won't be a big deal for me and I suspect for other 11 Pro owners.

While I get your statement, not everyone has a 11 Pro, nor is the 12 Pro for those with the 11 Pro.

 

[neoelectronaut]

The 11 Pro models are amazing devices. Waiting a little longer on the 12 won't be a big deal for me and I suspect for other 11 Pro owners.

Why would anyone that owns a iPhone 11 even buy an iPhone 12? The gap in performance has to be minuscule.

Looking forward to see how that 5.4" model pans out. Gonna be the deciding factor between me buying a new phone or just putting a new battery in my 2017 iPhone SE.

 

[triangletechie]

While I get your statement, not everyone has a 11 Pro, nor is the 12 Pro for those with the 11 Pro.

That's why I said it isn't a big deal for 11 Pro owners.
[automerge]1587489709[/automerge]

Why would anyone that owns a iPhone 11 even buy an iPhone 12? The gap in performance has to be minuscule.

Looking forward to see how that 5.4" model pans out. Gonna be the deciding factor between me buying a new phone or just putting a new battery in my 2017 iPhone SE.

People with disposable income. People who like to update yearly. AKA many on this site.

 

[Kylo83]

So what happened to yearly upgrade plan now it won’t be worth it, you won’t be saving money

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Too early to know. Apple has a history of getting devices to market.

Heard on the biz news today the word is Apple is telling suppliers it will need something like 212 million phones made. Make of that what you will with the new models and everything. I simply quoted you on this as you are one of the few on this site able to digest and understand these type of numbers.

 

[Nimoy]

My takeaway from all these iPhone 12 rumours: Tim Cook himself probably doesn't know for sure what launch is going to look like.

 

[Stromos]

So what happened to yearly upgrade plan now it won’t be worth it, you won’t be saving money

In the past Apple has had to eat the payments after 12 as a good will gesture to those of us on the plan. I hope they continue that now.

 

[nortonandreev]

Too early to know. Apple has a history of getting devices to market.

AirPower says hey.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I don’t really care about a 6.7” model because I don’t want such an huge iPhone, but I strongly think the new iPhone won’t be released next September for several reasons.