The iPhone 12 will launch at about the same time as the iPhone X, as Apple will take advantage of the 5G-enabled super cycle, according to investment bank Wedbush.
Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives says coronavirus disrupts production early in 2020. But since then, Apple's supply chain has normalized ahead of schedule. Ives added that the renormalization of production will allow Apple to release the iPhone 12.
While previous reports have speculated that the iPhone 12 will launch in a similar fashion to the iPhone X, Ives now expects Apple to debut the devices at the end of September and ship it in early October.
This is in line with its usual product release schedule, and Wedbush has made its current projections based on recent supply chain checks.
As with past iPhone 12 rumors, Ives expects Apple to introduce four iPhone models, and the entire line will be compatible with 4G and 5G. Despite 5G support, at least one of the devices costs probably less than $1,000.
On the topic of 5G, Ives said that 5G iPhones may come in both US and non-US versions, with only some models coming with faster mmWave 5G support.
The analyst added that Apple appears to have "ironed out" the technical wrinkles of 5G, further corroborating 2020's critical launch will go smoothly.
In addition to production issues, there have been some previous reports suggesting that weak demand could disrupt Apple's usual plans.
However, Ives expects that Apple is about to enter a super cycle thanks to 5G.
Wedbush estimates that 350 million of Apple's 950 million iPhones are currently in the upgrade window, with some of the lower priced models may catalyze the upgrade.
