Apple may change 5G capabilities for iPhone 13 in 2021
However, Digitimes claims that the four 2020 models will support both the sub-6GHz 5G spectrum and the mmWave 5G, which makes sense since US operators are not unanimously using the same 5G spectrum. Verizon, for example, is building its 5G network around the mmWave spectrum, which means it doesn’t have a large 5G service area. T-Mobile’s national 5G network uses a 600MHz spectrum, making it available in most parts of the country; The point is that if Apple wants the nation’s largest wireless provider to sell a ton of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max models, it will need those devices to work on both types of 5G networks.
Photo supposedly showing the 2775 mAh battery expected to power the iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12 Pro
But this is where the story gets weird. The report claims that next year’s iPhone 13 family could take a step back, as some of the models will come with support for only sub-6GHz 5G or mmWave 5G, but not both. Or as Digitimes says, “Apple’s 2020 series of iPhones will run on 5G sub-6GHz and millimeter wave networks, and the provider is considering introducing its mmWave or sub-6GHz-compatible iPhones for specific markets next year, according to sources at the industry in Taiwan. ” Models with limited 5G support would be sold in those markets where one of the two 5G spectrum options is used more than the other. Some markets will not have support for mmWave 5G and iPhone 13 units sold in those areas would only include support below 6GHz, which could lower the price a bit. Apple may disable 5G entirely in countries where the next generation of wireless connectivity is not available. This could be accomplished by disabling some of the hardware on models that support only one of the two 5G spectrum options, or by using completely different hardware on these models.
