Apple to double down on 5G for 2022 iPhone line-up
Apple will reportedly release only 5G-enabled iPhones from next year and revamp its budget handset for the first time in two years as the company looks to boost sales of its flagship product.
The tech giant will not introduce any new 4G models in 2022 and will instead begin selling a 5G version of its cheapest handset — the iPhone SE — Nikkei reported.
Apple will also not bring out an updated version of its iPhone Mini after the smartphone with a smaller screen failed to catch on with consumers, according to the report.
The budget 5G iPhone, which will hit the market as early as the first half of next year, will be powered by Apple’s own A15 processor — the same chip that will be used in its premium smartphones this year.
The model’s 5G capabilities will be provided by Qualcomm’s X60 modem chip.
The changes mark efforts by Apple to boost sales of the iPhone, which still accounts for more than half of the company’s overall revenue.
Apple has reportedly also been preparing updated versions of other products for release later this year as it looks to capitalise on a bounce-back in demand after the pandemic.
These include Macbook Pros and a new version of Air Pods, its popular wireless earphones.
Away from its hardware, Apple has also been ramping up investment in services as it looks to diversify its revenue away from iPhones.
The company recently announced plans to launch its own premium subscription service for podcasts, allowing listeners to access additional content and ad-free listening.