In October 2020, Apple presented the iPhone 12 lineup, consisting of the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. One of the heavily advertised functions is the support of 5G cellular networks with a data rate of up to 2,000 Mbit per Second. What Apple only mentions in the technical specifications: Not all models support the fast mmWave 5G network. Although Apple sells the new models worldwide under the name “iPhone 12”, the devices on the US market differ in terms of reception technology from the other models.
Only in the USA does the iPhone 12 (and all model variants) support mmWave-5G – the remaining iPhones can only transmit in the sub-6 GHz network. Only moderate increases in speed can be observed compared to LTE: between 100 and 400 Mbit per second are possible – with mmWave, however, 2,000 Mbit. However, due to the short range of mmWave, the technology is only worthwhile in very densely populated areas such as stadiums, airports or the inner cities of large metropolises. One advantage of 5G remains with all iPhone model variants: Customers are likely to reach the full data rate significantly more often than with LTE, since 5G cell towers can supply a larger number of cell phones with data at the same time.
Suppliers: Apple orders large quantities of suitable antennas
“PatentlyApple“now reports that Apple has awarded the Taiwanese company Qiqi a large order for mmWave 5G antennas – probably for the iPhone 13, which will be released in autumn 2021. Qiqi would contribute components for Apple devices for the very first time – currently the Japanese company Murata Manufacturing manufactures the mmWave antennas for the US iPhone 12. Since Apple mostly works with several manufacturers on important components, it can be assumed that Murata Manufacturing will continue to deliver 5G antennas. Due to the corona pandemic, supply chains can be reduced within a few weeks or Even interruptions for days and a delayed iPhone launch in the fall would cost Apple billions – so Apple attaches importance to several sources of important components.
Worldwide this time?
It is still completely unclear whether the iPhone 13 offers uniform functions worldwide or whether the devices again differ significantly by region. The mmWave iPhone 12 is reported to cost $ 50 more to produce than the iPhone 12 without a fast 5G.