Apple is mobilizing suppliers to produce its first ever 5G iPhones next year, and there are three flagship models that features the most advanced mobile processors and leading-edge screens, the Nikkei Asian Review reported Wednesday.
All three models will carry the 5G modem chip designed by Qualcomm called the X55. As per the report:
All three of the new iPhones will carry the most advanced 5G modem chip, known as X55 that is designed by U.S. mobile chip developer Qualcomm, four people familiar with the plan told Nikkei.
The chip, which enables much faster downloads, faces such an increase in demand that there could be supply constraints, one person added.
The X55 chip offers 7Gb/s peak download speeds and 3Gb/s upload speeds, though these numbers are theoretical maximums and actual speeds will depend on carrier network. The chip is Qualcomm's first 5G chip that supports all major frequency bands, operation modes, and network deployments.
The X55 is also more power efficient than Qualcomm's X50 chip, which means it will draw less energy and will have less of an impact on battery life when connected to a 5G network.
The company plans to ship at least 80 million of the new 5G phones, one of the sources said, adding "it will be the first time Apple introduces 5G iPhones ... There will be three of them and the company has set an aggressive sales target."
The upgraded iPhones will also likely accelerate global carriers to roll out 5G telecoms infrastructure -- especially outside China, the report said.
Apple was originally planning to use Intel chips in its 2020 5G iPhones, but Intel is out of the smartphone chip business and Apple has no choice but to use Qualcomm's modem chips.
Apple has been slow in embracing the 5G technology, far behind its Chinese pears.
As cnTechPost mentioned previously, a total of 90 new phone models went on sale in September in China, with 9 of them 5G phones.
EY, a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, predicted in a report that 5G users in China will reach 576 million by 2025, or over 40 percent of global consumption.
In August 5, China’s first 5G phone, the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G went on sale. More than one month later on September 11, Apple released the iPhone 11、iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max with none of them including include 5G technology.
However, Apple will push to reclaim its former glory as the maker of the world's "must-have" smartphone with the major product line overhaul in 2020, the Nikkei report said citing sources.
