Apple is predicting big things for its 5G iPhone, according to a new report featuring shipment forecasts Cupertino has allegedly given its supply chain partners.
The report suggests that Apple has ordered 100 million iPhones. That would be an increase over the 80 million Apple ordered for the iPhone 11 series.
If accurate, this would be a massive leap from the variation the iPhone has seen in recent years. With the overall smartphone industry slowing, recent iPhones have fluctuated relatively little. In 2015, Apple sold approximately 231.2 million iPhones. In 2016, this fell to 211.8 million. 2017’s total sales were roughly 216.76 million, and last year was 217.72 million. Those figures are made up of both the new iPhone series and older models Apple continues to sell.
An extra 20 million units would certainly seem optimistic. But there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2020 big 5G iPhone refresh. Next year’s September iPhone launch will again have three variants. All three will supposedly come with 5G capabilities, offering faster connectivity. They will also supposedly boast an iPhone 4-inspired metal frames. It is also likely that Apple will switch to using OLED screens in all three models of its handsets.
Are you salivating at the prospect of a 5G iPhone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Digitimes (paywall)
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
