Apple Set to Launch Two 5G iPhones in 2025: Industry Insights
Discover Apple's ambitious plans to introduce two 5G-enabled iPhones next year, backed by advancements in in-house chip development and strategic partnerships.
As global tech competition intensifies, Apple Inc. is gearing up for a significant leap in its smartphone lineup. Industry expert Ming-Chi Kuo reveals that in 2024, Apple will unveil three new iPhone models, two of which will feature cutting-edge 5G technology.
Apple's Upcoming iPhone Models and 5G Strategy
Ming-Chi Kuo, a renowned analyst at TF International Securities, highlights that Apple's 2024 iPhone series will include devices with 6.7-inch, 6.1-inch, and 5.4-inch OLED displays, maintaining the premium quality seen in previous flagship models. Notably, the mid-sized model will not support 5G, focusing instead on other features.
This move follows Apple's recent resolution of a long-standing patent dispute with Qualcomm, culminating in a six-year licensing agreement. This partnership is critical as Qualcomm supplies key components enabling Apple's initial foray into 5G smartphones, projected for release in 2020.
Kuo anticipates that by 2022 or 2023, Apple will transition to integrating proprietary 5G chips, leveraging Qualcomm's partial release of 5G baseband chip source code. This strategic development is partly a response to the U.S. government's export restrictions on Huawei, which have reshaped the competitive landscape.
"Apple's commitment to 5G technology has accelerated following the U.S. ban on Huawei," Kuo states. "We predict that 5G-enabled iPhones will constitute approximately 60% of all new iPhone shipments in the second half of 2020, surpassing general market expectations."
Despite these advancements, chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and Intel are reportedly lobbying for a relaxation of export bans on Huawei, given the substantial $11 billion U.S. component market involved.
The Accelerated Race for 5G: Apple's In-House Chip Development
With competitors such as Samsung already marketing 5G-capable devices like the Galaxy S10 5G, Apple faces mounting pressure to swiftly enter the next-generation network arena, even as 5G infrastructure continues to evolve.
In response, Apple is reportedly intensifying efforts to develop its own 5G modems internally, a strategic shift that could significantly disrupt its existing supply chain dynamics.
Supporting this direction, Apple's 5G chip development team has merged with its hardware technology division, coinciding with leadership changes including the departure of the previous 5G head. The company also recruited Umashankar Thyagarajan, Intel's former 5G development leader, signaling a major investment in proprietary 5G technology after Intel's exit from the 5G modem market.
Currently, Apple employs over 2,000 engineers focused on 5G modem innovation, underscoring its commitment to mastering this critical technology.
Future Outlook
While Apple's six-year agreement with Qualcomm provides a stable foundation, the tech giant is poised to advance its own modem technology, navigating the complex landscape of 5G patents and intellectual property.
Industry observers expect Apple to continue recruiting top talent from competitors like Intel to bolster its 5G capabilities. The ongoing expansion of 5G networks and devices remains a pivotal focus for smartphone manufacturers, shaping the future of mobile connectivity.
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