With U.S. carriers preparing to deploy 5G networks, many folks are wondering when the first 5G smartphones will begin arriving. A new report has emerged that claims to have info on Apple's plans for a 5G smartphone.
Apple is aiming to launch a 5G iPhone in 2020, according to a source speaking to Fast Company. Apple is planning to use Intel's 8161 5G modem in its 2020 iPhone hardware, the report claims, despite Apple allegedly being unhappy with Intel at the current time.
It's rumored that Apple is unhappy with Intel and the challenge of solving the heat dissipation problems caused by the 8060 modem that Intel has been working on. The use of millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum results in higher-than-normal thermal levels inside the phone and can affect battery life. However, Apple isn't so unhappy with Intel that it's willing to get its 5G modems from Qualcomm, who Apple is currently involved in litigation with.
While still very much a rumor right now, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Apple wait until at least 2020 to launch a 5G-capable iPhone. The company has never been aggressive when it comes to adopting new technologies into its products, one example being that the original iPhone was 2G-only when many other smartphones offered 3G connectivity. Because of this, many folks would probably say that even 2020 seems like an aggressive 5G adoption schedule for Apple.
