Apple's 2020 iPhones will feature Snapdragon X55 modem for ultra-fast 5G support

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We already know that Apple’s 2020 iPhones will feature 5G technology enabling ultra-fast wireless connectivity. Today, Nikkei Asian Review reported that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 5G modem will be enabling 5G support in these iPhones. This 5G to 2G multimode 7nm modem can support up to 7 Gbps download speeds and 3 Gbps upload speeds over 5G. And this modem will support all major frequency bands including mmWave or sub-6 GHz.

Nikkei Asian Review also reported that 2020 iPhones will be powered by A14 processor that is built by TSMC using 5nm chip technology. Only, Apple and Huawei has plans to use 5nm technology in 2020. So, Qualcomm Snapdragon-based devices and Samsung Exynos-based devices will be lagging behind iPhones in performance and efficiency.

Last week, another report confirmed the 5G support in 2020 iPhones. Apple is redesigning the antenna lines in 2020 iPhone. The antenna lines will be made wider (>1mm) and instead of plastic, Apple will use a different material (glass, ceramic or sapphire). Apple is currently exploring different designs to reduce the size of the notch. Some of the designs are smaller in width, some are narrower to fit the top bezel.

Recently, we reported that Apple may increase the price of 2020 iPhones due to following reasons.

  • New materials for metal frame that involve complex processing.
  • 5G support with Qualcomm modem.
  • New camera upgrades including the 3D ToF sensor on the back.

If you are planning to buy an iPhone 11 series device this year, I would recommend you to wait for the next year’s iPhone series.

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