Perhaps the most notable thing about the (officially delayed) iPhone 12 line-up is its (relatively) affordable rates.
In a new report from acclaimed Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo (seen by MacRumors), Kuo reveals that Apple will avoid the massive price increases impacting rivals, by putting a squeeze on component supplies and downgrading the new iPhones’ battery technology. Something which looks damaging.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 Plus at Its Finest
Breaking this down, Kuo explains that Apple’s adoption of Sub-6GHz 5G technology in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Plus will increase Apple’s costs by $75–$85, while the full-fat millimeter-wave 5G in the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will add $125–$135.
These increases have added $200/300 to the final retail price of phones such as Samsung’s Galaxy flagships.
But, Kuo claims Apple will cut up to 50 percent off its battery costs. In addition, the cut is by switching the iPhone 12 models to batteries with simpler, smaller layered designs.
The result appears to be about a 10 percent reduction in battery capacity across the range compared to the line-up of the iPhone 11.
It is a surprising move considering the higher power demand of 5G. And then, puts tremendous pressure on Apple’s superlative latest A14 chip to pull off some power saving miracles.
The lower capacities are also thought to be the reason behind Apple’s decision to scrap the ProMotion displays on the Pro models.
Apple looks committed to this process in the long run. Moreover, some iPhone fans may not be able to trade the battery life for a cellular standard.
Kuo states that Apple will go even further in 2021. It will the iPhone 13 lineup to a “purely soft board” battery design. And then, it will cut a further 30-40% of costs. How this impacts their performance, remains to be seen.
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