Despite what other analysts have been saying, one says all four new iPhone models that Apple is expected to release this fall are predicted to support the entire 5G spectrum, including Sub-6GHz and the faster mmWave radio technology, both at the same time.
“We believe that Apple will release new iPhones that support mmWave and Sub-6GHz iPhones at the same time in the second half of 2020,” according to an investor note Monday from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, seen by AppleInsider.
He goes on to explain that this year’s iPhones are divided into Sub-6GHz and Sub-6GHz + mmWave models. “According to our latest survey, the development of the Sub-6GHz + mmWave iPhone is progressing as scheduled,” it reads.
For the sake of clarity, the sub-6GHz spectrum offers LTE-like speeds with significantly lower network latency. The mmWave 5G spectrum, on the other hand, brings far higher speeds but at the expense of coverage because those networks don’t penetrate walls and buildings unless you’re standing very close to a cell tower that has support for the mmWave spectrum.
Kuo claims mmWave iPhones will be available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Korean and Japan. The analyst believes Apple might disable 5G in software in markets with poor or no 5G service in order to slash production costs.
Kuo is expecting the Sub-6GHz + mmWave models to start shipping at the end of the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of this year. Previously, the revered analyst predicted that all 2020 iPhones would feature 5G connectivity, but did not specify what type.
Meanwhile, other investors have predicted that only two of the four iPhones due in 2020 would support mmWave while the other models would only support the slower Sub-6GHz standard.
Susquehanna analysts said last week that first Sub-6GHz + mmWave iPhones might be delayed until December 2020 or January 2021 over Apple’s decision to use in-house antennas.
5G iPhones are widely expected to drive potential acceleration in replacement cycles.