iPhone 5G 2020: When will there be a 5G iPhone and what do we know so far?
Although still limited in scope, 5G networks are here. The only issue, apart from living in a compatible location and being on a compatible network, is that you also need a 5G-enabled phone too.
Most phone makers have now released 5G devices but we're still awaiting the first 5G-enabled iPhone.
Many US cities already have mmWave (millimetre wave) 5G networks but in limited areas, with other US towns and cities using lower-band 5G. UK 5G networks are using sub-6 (mid-band) bands at the moment, but plan to roll out mmWave in cities for higher-capacity coverage in 2021.
It's worth remembering that although the iPhone 5G might seem late to the party for some, it's still very early days for 5G and Apple has form for being late to embrace network upgrades - remember the 2G-enabled debut iPhone living in a 3G world?
This is everything we know so far about a 5G-enabled iPhone, including when it might arrive and what the rumours say.
Will there be a separate iPhone 5G?
The latest suggestion is that all of the new iPhones will be 5G, with four new iPhone 12 models expected. One scenario is that the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will be 5G, with the standard iPhone 12 models sticking with 4G.
Another possibility is that there will be a separate version for 5G, though this seems increasingly unlikely.
Apple iPhone 5G release date
- 13 October 2020 launch event
- Possible 16 October pre-order
An Apple event took place on 15 September 2020 but it wasn't for iPhone. Apple has scheduled another event for 13 October however, where the iPhone 12 devices are expected, and therefore the 5G iPhone.
Pre-orders are rumoured to start on 16 October with devices expected to hit shelves on 23 October. Nothing is confirmed as yet though.
Qualcomm is making the iPhone 5G hardware and its guidance for the year's final quarter suggested a slight delay, with an October release date.
Apple iPhone 5G rumours: What's happened so far?
This is everything we've heard so far about the iPhone 5G.
6 October 2020: Apple schedules next hardware event
Apple sent invites out to its next hardware event, which will take place on 13 October. The iPhone 12 models are expected to be revealed at the event.
23 September 2020: BT and EE internal video says Apple's iPhone 5G is "days away"
UK telco giant BT/EE suggests that a 5G version of the iPhone is just "days away" in a leaked internal video anchored by consumer chief Marc Allera. It's not clear how the video leaked, but it includes a cameo by Apple services chief Eddy Cue.
EE has already announced a ‘Full Works' plan for iPhone, which is a 5G-ready tariff which also bundles Apple Music, TV+ and Arcade. That tariff is also now available in a SIM-only version.
15 September 2020: Apple holds Time Flies event, but no iPhone revealed
Apple held its Time Flies Special Event on 15 September but the company didn't reveal the new iPhones. Instead, the event saw the Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE, new entry-level iPad and new iPad Air, as well as services including Fitness+.
8 September 2020: iPhone launch predicted to be October 2020
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has tweeted suggesting the iPhone 12 - and therefore likely the 5G iPhone - will be announced at an event in October rather than the 15 September event.
8 September 2020: Apple announces Special Event
Apple announced an event for 15 September 2020 at 10AM PDT. The Apple Watch Series 6 is expected to be the focus, along with a new iPad. It is thought the iPhone will be announced in Ocotber 2020 instead.
7 September 2020: Apple iPhone 12 launch could be announced this week, new iPad Air and Watch 6 too
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that we'll hear about the iPhone 12 briefing imminently.
2 September 2020: Apple rumours again point to four 5G iPhones plus new headphones and a smaller HomePod
Bloomberg reported Apple is planning to ship between 75 and 80 million 5G iPhones this year, which corroborates previous reports about Apple planning to adopt 5G.
2 September 2020: EE's 'Full Works' plan is an iPhone 12 5G-ready tariff including Apple Music, TV+ and Arcade
EE teamed up with Apple to launch a new plan ahead of the iPhone 12 launch – called the Full Works Plan for iPhone. While the plan will work with 4G, it's 5G compatible.
31 July 2020: Apple admits the next iPhone won't launch this September
Apple has confirmed it'll launch the next phone series a bit later this year, via a third-quarter earnings call with investors on Thursday 30 July.
"Last year we started selling new iPhones in late September; this year we expect supply to be available a few weeks later," said Apple CFO Luca Maestri during the call.
30 July 2020: Qualcomm's Q4 guidance suggests the iPhone 12 will be slightly delayed
We now believe that each of the four new variants of the iPhone 12 will be 5G-capable. And Qualcomm's Q4 outlook says there will be "a partial impact from the delay of a global 5G flagship phone launch". We think that's the iPhone 12 lineup.
29 July 2020: Four variants confirmed - all 5G
Long-rumoured, but there are set to be four new iPhones and, what's more, according to the latest information they will all be 5G-capable - certainly that's suggested in all the leaked information that we've seen. As well as replacements for the existing iPhone 11 Series, there is a bigger 6.1-inch size of the standard iPhone 12 called the iPhone 12 Max.
2 July 2020: How late will the iPhone 5G launch?
Because of the current global situation, the new iPhone release dates have been a question mark. We believe the 5G version (in whatever form) has been delayed until October or November, but according to Nikkei it even slipped to 2021 at one point during 2020. Apple is working to encourage its suppliers to deliver earlier. We'll find out if this has been successful later in the year
1 July 2020: Maybe it won't have a 120Hz display after all
The iPhone 12 series won't have 120hz ProMotion displays after all. That's according to a new rumour from display analyst Ross Young. Why? Because apparently Apple first needs to implement a low-power display tech which to ensure that the display doesn't compromise battery life and apparently that won't be happening until 2021.
30 June 2020: More fps for 4K
Rather than having to step down in quality, the new iPhones will be able to record 4K in 12fps with a rumour also 240fps is possible. The iOS 14 developer beta software is now out and has been completely analysed - hence this latest development
29 June 2020: No plug or EarPods in the box?
The new iPhones won't have a charger or headphones in the box, not only saving Apple cash, but also cutting down on environmental waste. After all there are probably millions of unused USB plugs and EarPods in the world. This information comes courtesy of analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who isn't always right.
22 May 2020: Apple previews iOS 14
Apple previewed its next major software update - iOS 14 - at WWDC on 22 June. The software will bring a number of features, including cycling directions in Maps, enhanced Siri, a new translation apps and Widgets on the Home Screen, among others. You can read all about the iOS 14 features in our separate feature.
19 May 2020: Four models?
It looks like there will be four models of the iPhone 12 - this could possibly accommodate an extra 5G version but we're not sure. Certainly from these leaked display specs it seems there will be four versions. A 5.4-inch, two 6.1 inches and a 6.7-inch. The dual 6.1-inch versions may be one standard iPhone 12 and an iPhone 12 Pro.
11 May 2020: Battery and Face ID details
A late April leak says there will be a 4,400mAh battery to maintain the current level of battery life - perhaps this could be to accommodate 5G. Face ID will also have a wider field-of-view and there will be a better zoom on the rear camera.
27 April 2020: Could iPhone 5G be delayed?
We might be looking at a very late 2019 launch for the iPhone 5G. The Wall Street Journal cites a source suggesting that the iPhone 12 launch will take place around a month later than usual because of the current global situation. So an early October reveal, late October launch.
20 April 2020: Maybe a smaller notch?
It looks like new Face ID iPhones will have a smaller notch, with the speaker moved upwards into the bezel of the phone, as it has been on many Android devices. Apple is also reportedly moving towards having flatter screen edges.
13 April 2020: A specific iPhone 5G?
According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on four new iPhones. That possibly makes the case for a specific iPhone 5G rather than all iPhone 12s being 5G-enabled.
18 February 2020: Qualcomm debuts the X60 modem
Qualcomm introduced its latest X60 5G modem that we think could end up being the modem inside the iPhone 5G. The new modem enables networks to aggregate (combine) spectrum across both the faster mmWave (millimetre wave) 5G band as well as 'sub-6', giving slower speeds but wider coverage.
Qualcomm and Apple made up in early 2019 after years of legal disputes and it's nailed on that Qualcomm 5G modems will be inside the first 5G iPhone although we know - see below - that Apple is determined to develop its own 5G hardware.
18 February 2020: Which antenna will Apple use inside the new iPhone?
A report on 17 February suggested that Apple wanted to make its own 5G antennae for the first 5G iPhone. The rumour suggested that Apple wasn't happy with the size of Qualcomm's antenna but, as by magic, Qualcomm then announced a smaller antenna, the QTM535.
30 October 2019: Apple 5G iPhone 12 plans ramped up, with three models tipped for 2020
Nikkei Asian Review reported that sources have claimed Apple is in talks with mobilisation suppliers to produce a range of three iPhones with 5G data connectivity in 2020.
10 September 2019: Apple introduces the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
Of course, none of these handsets were 5G as expected meaning the 5G iPhone is surely nailed on for 2020.
25 July 2019: Apple buys Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion
Apple officially signed the deal to buy "the majority" of Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion. The deal includes 2,200 Intel employees, as well as IP and equipment.
The transaction is expected to close toward the end of 2019, and it means Apple will be able to produce its own 5G modems for its smartphones eventually, instead of getting them from Qualcomm. Bloomberg is speculating Apple's in-house modems could be ready in three years, so probably by 2022.
22 July 2019: Apple might buy Intel's 5G modem biz despite Qualcomm deal
The Wall Street Journal said Apple might make a deal with Intel that will see it purchase Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion.
The deal would follow Intel's announcement from April that it planned to exit the 5G mobile modem business.
18 June 2019: Analyst predicts iPhone 5G coming in 2020
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed all iPhones will have 5G capabilities by 2021 and Apple would probably have its own 5G chip by 2023.
16 April 2019: Apple and Qualcomm settle legal issues, while Intel quits 5G
Following two years of legal disputes, Apple and Qualcomm settled in April 2019, much to everyone's surprise. The settlement resulted in Apple making a payment to Qualcomm and the two companies also signed a six-year license agreement, effective from 1 April 2019.
There's an option in the settlement to extend the agreement for two years, plus a multiyear "chipset supply agreement". It led many to believe Apple may release a 5G iPhone sooner than 2020 as Qualcomm already have a 5G modem in place.
On the same day as the Qualcomm and Apple settlement, Intel announced it was quitting the 5G modem business, with its CEO saying "it has become apparent that there is no clear path to profitability and positive returns."
7 February 2019: Apple moves modem chip engineering in-house
Reuters reported that sources familiar with the matter claimed Apple has moved its modem chip engineering efforts into its in-house hardware team.
The move appears to be an indication that Apple is working on its own chips, rather than outsourcing.
5 November 2018: iPhone 12 will be the first 5G iPhone
The Fast Company reported in November 2018 that Apple would use Intel's 8161 5G modems in 2020 [which turned out to be false as work on that modem was binned] which led many to assume the first 5G compatible iPhone would be the iPhone 12.
At the time of that report, Apple and Qualcomm were still in a legal dispute, which resulted in Apple switching to Intel chips for some of its iPhones.
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