According to a new report from DigiTimes, Apple is hiring additional mmWave antenna suppliers for the iPhone 13, as the fall is expected to mark a new, busy year for the company.
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5G mmWave technology debuted in the iPhone 12, and compared to traditional sub-6Ghz, mmWave offers significantly faster speeds but is limited in range. For now, mmWave iPhone 12 models are only available in the United States, but this fall, Apple plans a larger expansion of mmWave iPhones to more countries worldwide.
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Adoption of mmWave technology has been growing in cities. However, with the “iPhone 13” expanding the technology to more customers, it could push countries to adopt mmWave infrastructure faster. DigiTimes reports that Apple plans to increase the proportion of 5G mmWave iPhones to up to 60% of the 2021 iPhone lineup, with shipments reaching 90 million units.
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“Apple is expected to sharply increase the proportion of 5G mmWave devices to 60% of the new iPhone lineup in 2021, with such models estimated to reach 90 million units,” the sources said, adding that “each mmWave-enabled iPhone will require four AiP modules, significantly driving demand for AiP substrates.”
The iPhone 13, expected to be announced between September and October, is rumored to include other major features, such as an improved display, improved cameras, and faster performance.
