When Apple launches its first 5G-enabled iPhones, which are expected to arrive later this year, it's believed every new model will support both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G bands. But 2021 may offer a different strategy.
Apple's filed a pair of patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office detailing 5G network slicing and more ahead of the company's first 5G iPhone launch later this year.
Piggy-backing on its earlier report alleging that Apple might need to push back the launch of its first 5G-capable iPhone to October, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes this morning said that mass production of the device will start in July.
While there is some speculation regarding when, exactly, Apple is going to launch new iPhones later this year, it sounds like production will kick off relatively soon.
Earlier in 2020, Apple launched a minor refresh for the iPad Pro lineup, introducing a LiDAR Scanner on the back of the pro-grade tablets but keeping most of everything else the same compared to the previous generation.
Apple is expected to release four new iPhones this year and prices will remain largely intact despite all four devices using new technologies such as OLED screens and 5G networking.
Apple is working on 5G-enabled iPhones, we know that much is true. But another rumor has surfaced suggesting we could see a production delay in some models.
While some aspects of Apple's upcoming 5G-enabled iPhone 12 lineup seem all-but-confirmed at this point, whatever the company's plans are for 5G still remain up in the air a bit.
Expectations are that Apple is going to launch new iPhones, rumored to be the iPhone 12 lineup, in September of this year. But a new report throws some shade on that idea.
Even if the launch of Apple's first 5G iPhone is months away, it's obviously getting plenty of attention well in advance.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 models are widely expected to pick up 5G functionality, but you'd be wise not to hold your breath for 2×2 MIMO uplink support.
The fourth-generation iPad Pro models powered by Apple's next-generation A14 Bionic chip are thought to see an official announcement in September of this year alongside 5G iPhones, despite the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on Asian supply chain.