Next iPhone model to revert to iPhone 4-like design and support 5G, analyst claims
- Apple’s shift to 5G likely to come with a significant change in form factor.
- The design could add as much as 50 percent to Apple’s manufacturing costs.
- Apple expects to ship 85 million units of the 2020 model of iPhone.
The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max haven’t even been out for two weeks but rumors are already circulating about what’s in store for next year’s update.
In a new research note, picked up by MacRumors, Ming Chi-Kuo of the Hong Kong-based TF International Securities says that the 2020 version of the iPhone will offer a major new form factor reminiscent of the iPhone 4.
Next year’s smartphone is said to feature an external, segmented aluminium frame, not unlike the chunkier rectangular frame used on the current iPad Pro.
Released in 2010, the iPhone 4 introduced a popular new form factor and some unfortunate connectivity issues.
The move anticipates Apple’s likely shift to 5G networks in 2020, which is rumored to be powered by Qualcomm’s modem technology.
5G connections promise to allow for near instant downloads and has already been in the US via the Samsung Galaxy S10- 5G and LG V50 5G models released in June.
The iPhone 4’s iconic design caused a number of headaches for the firm originally. When held in a particular way, users could unintentionally ‘bridge’ the two separate antennae—WiFi and Bluetooth on the left, and cellular on the right—causing signal interference and dropped calls.
According to Kuo, Apple has been experimenting with a number of ways to ensure the newest model doesn’t suffer the same receptivity issues, including using sapphire or tempered glass around the phone’s grooves.
These measures could add as much as 50 percent to the company’s manufacturing cost for the frame.
It’s unclear whether those costs will affect the retail price of Apple’s devices, the prices for which have risen significantly since the iPhone 4’s release.
The current price range starts at $699 for a basic iPhone 11 to $1099 for an iPhone Pro Max.
Back in 2010, an unlocked 16GB iPhone 4 went for $599 when it launched in 2010, while an upgraded 32GB version went for $699.
The previous year’s 3G model was discounted to $499 and offered as a low cost option.
The just released iPhone 11 range was Apple’s most expensive yet, with the 512GB iPhone Pro Max costing $1449.
According to Kuo, Apple expects demand for the new devices to be significantly higher than this years model. Early estimates suggest the company plans to ship 85 million units of the 5G models, compared to 75 million units of this year’s models.
