A Cheaper 4G-Only iPhone 12 Could Release in 2021

Apple may be working on releasing a variant of iPhone 12 without 5G networking by 2021. This device will be $100 cheaper than the 5G version, as per a research note from Wedbush Securities written by analysts Daniel Ives, Strecker Backe, and Ahmad Khalil.

As per Business Insider, Wedbush Securities earlier expected Apple to launch a mix of 4G and 5G capable iPhone 12 models in 2020, however, as per the latest reports from the supply chain in Asia, they have revised their estimates for a 4G-only iPhone 12 to launch in 2021.

4G-only iPhone 12 in 2021

Apple might launch the 4G-only iPhone 12 in February 202 for a price of $800. Take this with a grain of salt as the price for this device seems to be higher than the expected price of the cheapest iPhone 12 that is expected to launch this year with 5G networking, OLED display, and dual-camera setup. Some rumors have pegged the cheapest iPhone 12 price to start from $650, while other rumors expect the price to start from $700. In either case, the price will be cheaper than the rumored 4G iPhone 12 model that is reported by Wedbush Securities, which leads us to doubt the accuracy of this report.

Apple recently launched the $400 iPhone SE in April, but it consists of a mixture of parts that mostly rely on older components. Apart from the fast A13 Bionic processor, all other components such as the camera, LCD display, battery, and even design, are the same as iPhone 8. This iPhone SE fills in the entry-level gap in Apple’s smartphone line-up. Meanwhile, iPhone 11 started from $700, and iPhone 12 is expected to start from the same price range, if not $50 lower. Therefore, it is difficult to understand why Apple would launch an $800 iPhone 12 without 5G networking. It just does not fit well anywhere in Apple’s line-up.

The company will be announcing its A14 powered iPhone 12 line-up with 4 variants in September, while the roll-out will take place till October due to the impact of coronavirus on the supply chain, component production, and availability. Two of these iPhone 12 models will be non-Pro variants and will feature dual-cameras, while the other two high-end models will be called Pro, and will feature with triple-camera systems, with LiDAR sensors. All these iPhone 12 models with feature OLED displays and 5G networking technology.