Apple Reportedly Planning Substantial Increase of Shipments for 5G mmWave iPhone Models in 2021

Apple is expected to substantially increase shipments of mmWave enabled iPhone models in 2021 thanks to the increased demand and improved global support for the newer technology, according to DigiTimes.

Screen Shot 4
Apple currently only offers mmWave-enabled ‌iPhone‌ 12 models in the United States and is likely to hold off on offering the option to more countries until the technology is more widely available. According to DigiTimes, that wider availability will take place this year, and as a result, Apple is set to increase shipments of mmWave iPhones.

Apple is expected to boost its 5G mmWave smartphone shipment goal for 2021 as the global economy is on track for stable recovery, and its demand for AiP modules supporting mmWave iPhones will grow remarkably this year, the sources said.

In 2020, Apple lowered its 5G mmWave iPhone shipment projections as construction of the corresponding infrastructure in the US and Europe was severely dragged down by the pandemic.

The ‌iPhone‌ 12 was the first ‌iPhone‌ to feature 5G connectivity. 5G connection includes two types of networks, mmWave, which is considered to be the next widely adopted standard that offers super-fast speeds, and a 6GHz connection that is currently the conventional option worldwide. mmWave networks work through higher frequency radio bands that can range from 24Ghz to as high as 40Ghz.

Due to their increased frequency, mmWave is extremely limited in range and requires more advanced and expensive infrastructure compared to 6GHz. Cities and countries around the world are still very much in the early stages of adopting mmWave technology. Even in cities where mmWave technology is present, real-world 5G speeds can differ greatly depending on your proximity to the mmWave tower and the device you're using.

When we tested Verizon's mmWave network with a Samsung Galaxy S10 5G smartphone in Chicago in mid-2019, we reached speeds as high as almost 2GBs. Still, we found that speeds vary drastically depending on your location and other factors. You can checkout our full mmWave vs. sub-6GHz guide for more information and insight.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
android iphone airdrop quickshare

iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

Thursday November 20, 2025 9:47 am PST by
Google today announced a new cross-platform feature that allows for file sharing between iPhone and Android users. With AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Pixel 10 devices, there is a new file transfer function available. The file sharing option works on Apple devices that include iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold....
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...

Top Rated Comments

Michael Scrip Avatar
60 months ago
mmWave... providing super-fast internet to street corners and sidewalks!

?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
60 months ago
I bought the iPhone 12 Pro right when it came out and love it!

I live in the Boston area and the 5G here is extremely fast
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0924487 Avatar
60 months ago

mmWave... providing super-fast internet to street corners and sidewalks!

?
Seriously, if we need more 5G towers than wifi routers, why don't we just litter the city with wifi access points? In Shanghai, they have "i-Shanghai", which is a wifi SSID you can connect to for free everywhere in the city. That's better than 5G for mobile phones.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
60 months ago

Honestly, isn’t there a way to completely disable that antenna? It’s responsible for phone overheating and overconsumption, and I just don’t feel comfortable with that technology, which is expensive and completely useless.

Please Apple make mmwave optional.
I have a similar problem, my phone keeps switching between antennas and that is not “seamless” as Apple describes it, I just lose reception for a while. I have tried putting it back to LTE and it has solved the issue, but then I have to go to settings every time I would like to use 5G. Annoying.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ksec Avatar
60 months ago

In Canada we don’t have mmW deployments and our iPhones do not have the radio transparency window opposite the SIM card slot.

I wonder how many other countries are also ignoring that technology and getting similar iPhones. I wonder if any anyone has bargained for a better price on the iPhones that are missing the radio!
They are not really ignoring, so to speak. Is just that most of them had trials and there is nothing that shows a decent cost / benefits ratio. So as far as I am aware most of the major carriers around the world dont plan to have them implemented. The keyword here is "plan". i.e If you have a plan *now*, it would still take 3-4 years for national roll out. If they dont even have a plan, well god knows if it will ever be out.

It is the same thing with small cells ( or now called nano cells or whatever the marketing decide to call it ). It is great in theory but in reality the business model doesn't really work.

That was the last update in 2019 when I looked at multiple carrier 5G deployment for something up to 2023. I dont know if there are changes in plan but I seriously doubt it.

Although Apple's support of mmWave doesn't just have to be 5G. It could be for other usage as well such as 802.11ay. Allowing 10Gbps *real world* transfer between line of sight. You could have iPhone transferring to another iPhone upgrade happening in minutes or seconds.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasonefmonk Avatar
60 months ago
In Canada we don’t have mmW deployments and our iPhones do not have the radio transparency window opposite the SIM card slot.

I wonder how many other countries are also ignoring that technology and getting similar iPhones. I wonder if any anyone has bargained for a better price on the iPhones that are missing the radio!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)