Apple to launch its first 5G iPhone in 2020: Kuo
What's the story
Apple has some big plans to overhaul its 2020 iPhone line-up. According to reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino giant will launch its first 5G iPhone next year and it will use a Qualcomm modem. Moreover, the company is also planning a design change as it is reported that the trio of 2020 iPhones will feature OLED displays. Here are the finer details.
The changes
Firstly, here's a look at the 2020 iPhone line-up
According to Kuo, Apple will launch three iPhone models and all of them will feature OLED screens - a departure from the current and upcoming line-up of two OLED iPhones and an LCD model. This means the successors to the premium iPhone 11 and iPhone 11s Max, as well as the lower-cost iPhone 11r, will feature vibrant colors and deep blacks of OLED screens.
Size matters
A new smaller iPhone is on the cards
Apple will launch 2020 iPhones in three sizes: 5.4-inches, 6.7-inches, and 6.1-inches. This suggests the successor to the iPhone 11 will be smaller than the currently expected size of 5.8-inches. Further, the sequel to iPhone 11 Max will get bigger from 6.5-inches to 6.7-inches while the successor to iPhone 11r will retain the 6.1-inch screen size. Perhaps, a new design in on the cards.
Big change
Only the premium iPhones will support 5G
Kuo notes that only the top-tier 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone models will get 5G support including both the sub-6GHz and mmWave technology. He adds that Apple will use Qualcomm's 5G modems as Apple's in-house modem isn't expected until 2022. Further, the lower cost iPhone 12r will stay on LTE for now - a move that could help Apple maintain an affordable price tag.
Current batch
Meanwhile, what to expect from the upcoming iPhone 11 series?
As far as 2019 iPhones are concerned, they will retain the design of their predecessors except for a new square-ish rear-camera design. The premium iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max models will offer an upgraded triple-lens combination while the lower-cost iPhone 11r will offer dual rear cameras. Other changes include upgraded front cameras, improved Face ID, two-way wireless charging support, and an A13 chipset.