Not just two, but all 2020 iPhone models will support 5G - Kuo

Last month, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that only two out of three new iPhone models in 2020 would feature 5G support, but now Kuo claims that the entire iPhone 2020 lineup will support 5G connectivity.

The iPhone maker, last week, officially announced that it is acquiring a majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in a deal valued at USD 1 billion. With this acquisition, Apple will gain access to more resources like cellular data protocols, modem architecture and more, which will help it bring 5G connectivity support on more models, sooner than previously projected.

In an investor note shared by MacRumours, Kuo said that the prices of 5G-enabled Android smartphones are expected to come down to USD 249- USD349 in the second half of 2020. Additionally, consumers will expect 5G as a standard function in 2020 smartphones. Given these market trends, high-priced iPhone models will need 5G support to thrive in competitive markets and win more subsidies. Also, 5G developments would benefit Apple's AR ecosystem.

"Apple may have the intention to launch the 5G iPhone, which only supports Sub-6GHz, to gain market share by lowering the cost/price for markets which only support Sub-6GHz (e.g., Chinese market). However, 5G iPhone, which only supports Sub-6GHz and the version which supports mmWave & Sub-6GHz are regarded as different projects even though they share the same form factor design," MacRumours quoted Kuo as saying.

Representative Image, Credit: Wikimedia Commons

As previously reported, Apple's 2020 models are expected to come in 6.7-inch, 5.4-inch, and 6.1-inch sizes with OLED displays. Apple has acquired a majority of Intel's modem business, but it still plans to use modem technology from Qualcomm, its previous supplier, in 2020 lineup. After a prolonged legal fight, Apple reached a surprise settlement with Qualcomm in April that called for the company to once again use Qualcomm's modem chips, leading to Intel's decision to quit the business.