NEW DELHI: There’s been a growing sense of skepticism around Apple and its iPhone. At a time when rivals like Huawei and Samsung have showcased their foldable – and more importantly 5G – smartphones, questions are being raised about Apple’s ability to innovate. A new piece of information coming from Macrumours will only give add fuel to this skepticism. According to Macrumours, which quotes a research note by financial giant Barclays, Apple will a 5G-enabled iPhone may not come till 2020.
The research note points out that if Apple wants to have a 5G phone in 2020 then the “modem design needs to be set by now.” There are multiple factors at play here in this delay of a 5G iPhone. Firstly, Intel, who Apple had approached back in November for 5G modems is expected to make its first consumer 5G modem by end of 2019. This, according to the report, doesn’t “work with Apple’s timeline.

The second factor is Apple’s bitter ongoing dispute with Qualcomm. Interestingly, Qualcomm has its 5G modems ready but is engaged in a legal battle with Apple. Unless both companies sort out their problems, Qualcomm modems won’t be there on the iPhone. The Barclays research notes that “time seems to be running” out for that matter to be resolved.

Thirdly, it has been reported that Qualcomm and Intel aren’t the only two companies Apple has approached for 5G modems. Apple went on record to say that it had approached several other companies. In an interview with Reuters, Apple supply chain executive Tony Blevins said that the company considered buying 5G LTE modems from Samsung and Mediatek as well for its 2019 iPhones.

Interestingly, all the iPhones that shipped from 2011 to 2016 had Qualcomm modems in it. With the iPhone 7, Apple got Intel on board as well and Qualcomm modems were phased out as trouble started to brew.

Even if the 2019 iPhones don’t support 5G perhaps there won’t be too much of a hue and cry as the industry seems to be still testing waters with the technology. However, if Apple does miss the 5G train in 2020 as well then these growing concerns about this perceived lack of innovation will turn into large-scale hysteria.

Source: gadgetsnow.com