iPhone 16 series, 5G millimeter wave support continues only for U.S. models.
On September 9 local time, Apple announced four new iPhone 16 series models. The new models are notable for upgrades such as the inclusion of Apple Intelligence, a unique generative AI, and a new "camera control" button, but the 5G milli...
2024/09/30
Posted on 09/30/2024
On September 9 local time, Apple announced four new iPhone 16 series models. The new models have attracted attention for upgrades such as the inclusion of Apple Intelligence, a unique generative AI, and a new "camera control" button, but as before, 5G millimeter wave support was limited to the US model only.
According to Apple's website, four models will support 5G millimeter wave: iPhone 16: A3081, iPhone 16 Plus: A3082, iPhone 16 Pro: A3083, and iPhone 16 Pro Max: A3084. These models are for the U.S. market and all of them are without a physical SIM tray (eSIM only supported). In the iPhone 16 series, the "Camera Control" button has been placed where the millimeter wave antenna was mounted in the previous model, and the millimeter wave antenna is now built into the body frame.
Apple launched a millimeter wave 5G-compatible model in the U.S. in 2020, starting with the iPhone 12, the first 5G-compatible iPhone. However, outside of the U.S., where millimeter wave is not widely available, only Sub6 band 5G-compatible models have been sold so far. Analysts estimate that the cost of millimeter wave-compatible models is $60 to $120 higher than that of regular models, and in recent years the company has removed millimeter wave support from the low-priced iPhone SE (3rd generation) and the latest cellular version of the iPad Pro, even for the U.S. market.
Millimeter wave technology provides faster 5G communications, but has weaknesses such as short transmission distances and inability to penetrate obstacles such as glass and trees. For this reason, even in the U.S., 5G is mainly used in urban areas, while 5G in the Sub6 band is more widespread in rural and suburban areas.
