Apple"s iPhone lineup for this year is expected to arrive with both sub-6GHz and millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G, but only one model will reportedly receive the faster 5G flavor. That"s according to an industry source who spoke to Fast Company, claiming that only the iPhone 12 Pro Max will support the mmWave 5G.
For the uninitiated, 5G comprises two flavors, namely the sub-6GHz frequencies and millimeter waves. The latter is fast with gigabit speeds, though these can be blocked by buildings and other objects. Meanwhile, the low-band sub-6 frequencies can penetrate walls and other types of barriers, though these travel only at lower speeds.
According to the source, only the largest model in the upcoming iPhone 12 series will accommodate an antenna needed to support mmWave. In addition, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is said to pack a larger battery that can meet the power demand of that frequency. The report also suggests the mmWave 5G flavor of the Pro Max will only be available in the U.S., Korea, and Japan.
Of course, the new report must be taken with a grain of salt until Apple officially unveils the iPhone 12 series. The company has been rumored to introduce at least four models of its next-generation phone, including the base model iPhone 12, 12 Max, 12 Pro, and 12 Max Pro.
Source: Fast Company