The iPhone 12 is poised to pack a lot of exciting features. One that won’t be on the list? Support for a 2×2 uplink, according to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo previously suggested that the 5G iPhone 12 would support 2×2 MIMO uplink, potentially meaning slightly faster maximum uploads. This was part of a report claiming that the iPhone 12 series devices would use up to six power amplifiers for improved connectivity. In a new report obtained by Cult of Mac, Kuo now says they are likely to include just one or two.
When it comes to 5G, massive MIMO refers to massive multiple-input, multiple-output, grouping together antennas at the transmitter and receiver. This provides better throughput and better spectrum efficiency.
People shouldn’t necessarily take this as a bad sign, though. 5G rollouts are still new, meaning that it’s not yet clear how significant this 2×2 uplink would be. It may ultimately have no noticeable impact when it comes to overall upload speeds.
5G could be big for iPhone 12
Whether 5G turns out to be a massive super-cycle for iPhone or not, it’s something worth being excited about. Once 5G is fully rolled out, it will mean significantly faster download and upload speeds. Latency, referring to the length of time it takes to communicate with wireless networks, will also massively decrease.
The first 5G iPhone models will use Qualcomm modems, thanks to Apple patching up its relationship with the tech giant last year. However, it is also developing its own 5G modems in-house. These will appear sometime around 2022 or 2023, Kuo says.
The iPhone 12 is also likely to boast a redesigned chassis, “refreshed” TrueDepth sensors, and assorted improved internals, including a revolutionary 5nm A-series chip.
What are you hoping for from this year’s iPhones? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
