A few weeks into 2020, Apple has yet to reveal plans for a 5G-capable iPhone. It was somewhat surprising when the iPhone 11 launched in late 2019 with no mention of a 5G-ready upgrade for the future, but one could argue it was still early. Now, however, after notable competitors like Samsung and LG have introduced their 5G devices for 2020, Apple's radio silence on the matter seems louder with each passing day.

The strangest part about the lack of a 5G iPhone is that Apple prides itself on either being the first to market with new ideas, or rebranding existing smart device innovations for the iOS ecosystem. The App Store paved the way for the app-based era in which we now live, having successfully taken "There's an app for that," from clever joke to everyday reality. They didn't invent features like multi-camera arrays, front-facing cameras, or fingerprint reading for phones, but they've excelled at promoting the notion that their implementations of these ideas are better than their competitors'.

It's unusual, then, that they're allowing the competition to steal their 5G thunder, although a look back at Apple's history implies new wireless data tech has never been a priority for them. The first iPhone was an EDGE device, a technology which, at that time, was already surpassed by 3G. Apple was also strategically late to the party with its first 4G LTE device. With these trends in mind, it's possible to draw a simple, viable conclusion as to why Apple seems disinterested in 5G, the hottest new smartphone buzzword.

Apple Doesn't Think 5G Is Ready For The Mass Market


Apple seems to prefer taking technological leaps forward under one of two conditions: when it seems most likely to be convenient for its customers, or when those leaps are most profitable for the design of an iPhone. Right now, the state of 5G prohibits either of these conditions.

In the US, there are fewer than a dozen 5G phones on the market, and based on announced devices, that number may not reach 20 before this Summer. This is partially due to the inconsistency of 5G data services. Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all offer 5G data plans, but they're either full of complicated caveats, or they're on the expensive side. And even with the latest 5G device and a new data plan, the 5G infrastructure rollout simply isn't there yet. It's available in many major cities, but the difference between having 10 Gbps 5G and having typical 4G speeds can vary by the distance of a city block. Apple is inclined towards providing easy transitions for its user base, and it's hard to imagine the average Apple user feeling satisfied with a phone whose primary feature is likely irrelevant where they live.

The other roadblock could be in manufacturing. 5G is still in its first generation, which means the options for 5G modems and other essential components are extremely slim. Some companies, like Samsung, have gone as far as developing their own parts to get to market faster, and that could be a risk Apple deems unnecessary. First-generation technology in phones almost always leads to overheating and battery life issues, as well. For a company as concerned about its public image as Apple, those kinds of issues would be unacceptable.

Apple appears to be taking a "wait and see" approach to 5G. They're comfortable with the perfectly fine iPhone 11 as their flagship device, and their customers, despite probably being curious about 5G, aren't lining up to take the plunge yet either. 5G is only truly beneficial for tech-focused early adopters at the moment, and the staggering price tags on 5G phones reflect that. When Apple can build a 5G phone, with confidence that the infrastructure to support it exists, expect to hear about the iPhone 12 5G.