Apple May Release 4G-Only iPhone 12 in Early 2021

In a research note shared by Business Insider, Wedbush Securities analysts said that Apple may release a cheaper iPhone 12 in early 2021 with no 5G connectivity.

iPhone 12 4G Feature blue

Wedbush initially believed Apple would launch a mix of 4G and 5G iPhone 12 models this fall. Following re-examination of Asian supply chains, analysts Daniel Ives, Strecker Backe, and Ahmad Khalil revised the predictions, concluding that they now expect multiple ‌5G iPhone‌ 12 models this fall, and one cheaper 4G-only model in early 2021.

Ives told Business Insider that this 4G-only variant could launch around February, and would be cheaper than ‌5G iPhone‌ 12 models, with a price around $800. He added that the ‌5G iPhone‌ 12 models are unlikely to be more expensive than the current prices of ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, despite the additional connectivity features.

"Price points will be aggressive as Apple goes after their broader customer base," Ives commented. "Especially in a recession, in a COVID-19 backdrop, they need to make sure they're hitting all price categories."

A total of four OLED iPhones in 5.4, 6.1, and 6.7-inch sizes are expected in fall 2020. Rumors suggest the 6.7-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and one 6.1-inch model will be higher-end devices with triple-lens cameras, while the 5.4 and 6.1-inch models will be lower-end iPhones with dual-lens cameras and a more affordable price.

It has been reported that the different sizes may see a staggered launch. During Apple's third fiscal quarter earnings call, Apple CFO Luca Maestri confirmed that Apple is expecting to release this year's iPhones later than usual.

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Top Rated Comments

diego.caraballo Avatar
64 months ago
Hahahaha, also available soon, a hundred pages guide: How to choose your next iPhone, featuring the thousand models variants.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
viksfan4life Avatar
64 months ago
So the 4g only variant is going to launch with a price of around 800, cheaper than the 5g iPhone 12, but yet the 5g one is going to be the same price or less as the 11? That doesn’t make any sense, or am I reading it wrong?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sir Ruben Avatar
64 months ago
the iPhone 12 isn't sounding very appealing this year. Apparently there will be no 120Hz screen, smaller battery, no USB-C, no headphones, and no power brick. The costs are just too high to justify these impulse incremental updates anymore. Well I mean I COULD buy one, but its the equivalent of throwing over 1K away when I have a perfectly good iPhone 11 Pro.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dkh587 Avatar
64 months ago

the iPhone 12 isn't sounding very appealing this year. Apparently there will be no 120Hz screen, smaller battery, no USB-C, no headphones, and no power brick. The costs are just too high to justify these impulse incremental updates anymore. Well I mean I COULD buy one, but its the equivalent of throwing over 1K away when I have a perfectly good iPhone 11 Pro.
I have an iPhone X that I’ve had for 3 years and it’s just as fast as it’s always been. Your 11 Pro should last you several years, at least long enough until there is a significant update worth upgrading to.

I don’t believe in upgrading every year anymore. The phones last longer than they used to.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dwaltwhit Avatar
64 months ago
I'm just not sold on needing 5G. YMMV but I'm just not excited about it yet.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bernoulli Avatar
64 months ago

the iPhone 12 isn't sounding very appealing this year. Apparently there will be no 120Hz screen, smaller battery, no USB-C, no headphones, and no power brick. The costs are just too high to justify these impulse incremental updates anymore. Well I mean I COULD buy one, but its the equivalent of throwing over 1K away when I have a perfectly good iPhone 11 Pro.
Word on the street is that you don’t have to get a new phone every year
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)