Will Apple’s Anticipated Slate Of 5G iPhones Drive Record Sales?

If Apple’s “Hi, Speed” slogan for its upcoming autumn event is any indication, one of the primary functions of the iPhone 12 could be support for 5G speeds.

The next event for Apple starts on Tuesday (Oct. 13) at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. It is broadly anticipated that Apple will unveil its iPhone 12 phone collection.

The new smartphones are believed to have a completely new layout with flat edges, and are available in four different models, The Verge reported.

The four models will be priced between $699 and $1,099, The Verge noted in another report, citing a leaker named Kang.

The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 Mini will reportedly begin at $699, the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will begin at $799, the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro will be priced at $999 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max will start at $1,099.

Apple’s new iPhone 12 with 5G technology comes with high expectations, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. “I believe it translates into a once-in-a-decade-type upgrade opportunity for Apple,” said Wedbush Securities Analyst Dan Ives.

Ives forecasts that the new phone will aid in powering iPhone sales this fiscal year that exceed the 231 million units sold in fiscal 2015, which was fueled by the inaugural large-screen version of the phone, the iPhone 6 Plus.

However, Apple has been a bit later to the 5G game than its Android rivals, according to a report, which noted that Samsung has multiple devices equipped with next-gen wireless.

Furthermore, AT&T is cautioning against too much optimism over the launch of the new Apple 5G iPhone technology.

AT&T Communications CEO Jeff McElfresh said, per CNBC, that he’d “always tried to soften folks’ expectations around 5G.” He indicated that the speed will be similar to home broadband, which some people will readily pay for. Others, however, won’t want to pay additional money and might be happy with 4G technology.

McElfresh noted that he doesn’t think the launch will be a non-event, but believes that shoppers encountering the COVID-19 economy will make economical decisions based on what’s best for them.

5G technology has been promoted as the future of internet connectivity, promising quicker speeds and the capability to unlock new facets of technology, like smart appliances and self-driving vehicles.

Will an anticipated slate of Apple 5G smartphones excite consumers enough for them to upgrade from their current non-5G enabled devices? Time will tell.