For a while now, it has been in the air that the iPhone 12 would be impacted by coronavirus-related delays that have become ubiquitous with major products. And now it looks like Apple’s first 5G phone could be pushed back even further than we thought.
#Apple’s #iPhone 12 Pro Max will feature a bigger camera sensor and sensor-shift stabilization. Find out more on what to expect: https://t.co/vJlP5LnhAo
Photo: Eddie Eng/HYPEBEAST pic.twitter.com/6rVgGQArNR— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) March 25, 2020
A report from the Nikkei Asian Review says that “Apple is preparing the ground to possibly delay the launch of its first 5G iPhones.” The story credits “sources familiar with the matter” with the scoop, and says the possible change is tied to how the coronavirus pandemic has altered global demand and threw a toolbox of wrenches into the product development schedule.
In terms of how far Apple will push the release back, the company is discussing a change that would delay the release by months, which would mean the earliest release date may be right smack-dab in the holiday season.
Read more: Coronavirus Hits Apple: iPhone Sales Drop Significantly
However, the iPhone 12 could be delayed even further into next year. As one source put it: “The 5G iPhone could be postponed to 2021 in the worst-case scenario.”
A separate report in Seeking Alpha citing Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives says that it is “extremely unlikely” that Apple will launch the 5G iPhones in September or October. In fact, he sets the probability at just 10 to 15%.
Apple’s decision isn’t just motivated by production difficulties. A source said Apple is concerned with “significantly lower consumer appetite to upgrade their phones,” and that “They need the first 5G iPhone to be a hit.”
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This all makes sense. While die-hard Apple users may be giddy for a 5G iPhone to arrive, many potential upgraders probably aren’t concerned with buying a new phone right now. And since Apple’s taken more time to make a 5G iPhone than Samsung and other titans, the company may want to make extra sure that it has a device that can beat the competition.
The internal schedule at Apple, according to the report, places a May deadline for making a decision on when to release the 5G iPhone.
iPhone 12: What to expect
- Four iPhone 12 models coming this fall, after the iPhone 9 (i.e. iPhone SE 2) launches sometime in the first half of 2020
- Expect two iPhone 12 devices with 5.4 and 6.1 inch displays and two iPhone 12 Pro models at 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches.
- Multiple iPhone 12 models will feature 5G connectivity
- The iPhone 12 Pros will likely add a time of flight sensor to the three rear cameras, which will aid in AR performance
- All new iPhones could feature OLED screens, while the iPhone 12 Pro may offer 120Hz refresh rates
iPhone 12 price
The iPhone 11 starts at a fairly affordable $699, while the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max cost $999 and $1,099 respectively. The wild card is how much 5G support will add to the price of the new iPhone 12.
Most 5G-capable phones arriving last year are priced at a premium compared to conventional models. The Galaxy S10 5G, for example, starts at $1,299 — $300 more than the already pricey Galaxy S10+. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G also costs $1,299, which is $200 more than the standard Note 10 Plus. The newly introduced Galaxy S20 has 5G connectivity and costs $999, but that’s still $100 more than what the S10 debuted at a year ago.
Read more: iPhone X: What Apple borrowed from Android (and others)
Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo strikes a positive tone about the pricing for the iPhone 12, saying “Apple will not significantly increase the price of 5G iPhones compared to this year’s lineup.” He estimates between a $30 and $100 bump depending on the specific version.
Waiting until late 2020 to release a 5G phone may work to Apple’s advantage if it can release the iPhone 12 for around the same price as what you’d pay for an iPhone today. 5G networks will also be farther along than they are now, with 5G coverage limited to select neighborhoods in just a few cities. For example, T-Mobile has already launched its low-band 5G network, which offers speeds slightly faster than what LTE traditionally delivers. So, although Apple will come out with 5G devices later than Samsung, OnePlus and others, the iPhone 12 could be arriving right as 5G becomes relevant to more people.