The conversion to full-on 5G could take some time.
Apple’s 2021 “iPhone 13” handset may not offer support for both high-band and low-band 5G connectivity, the future models potentially shipping with compatibility for either the extremely fast mmWave or the more resilient sub-6GHz spectrum.
It’s largely believed that Apple’s upcoming 2020 model iPhone models will include 5G support via 5G modems manufactured by Qualcomm.
Per DigiTimes, Apple is said to be looking into producing a version of the iPhone that would use a single 5G band. While the iPhone 12 is expected to work with both sub-6Ghz signals as well as mmWave, thereby offering the full usage of 5G, sources have indicated that Apple may choose one band over the other “for specific markets.”
This decision to provide partial 5G support could potentially allow Apple to offer devices that would offer different connectivity speeds, accommodating the local market’s needs as well as its existing infrastructure.
Offering mmWave support would allow for consumers to take advantage of the high speeds that 5G marketing has offered, but such signal is susceptible to interference and lacks range, issues that would normally be fixed by the sub-6GHz spectrum. Feasibly, by offering mmWave support in this manner, the iPhone would instead have to rely on existing LTE infrastructure to provide extended coverage.
Sub-6GHz 5G, by comparison, is resilient and capable of offering at long ranges, but unlike mmWave, doesn’t offer a substantial speed boost over LTE connections.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and DigiTimes