One of the top Apple analysts predicts next year's 5G iPhones won't be much more expensive than current models
- Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for TF International Securities, said in a research note Wednesday that next year's iPhone 12 models will not go up significantly in price, according to MacRumors.
- Kuo had previously predicted that Apple plans to launch five 5G-enabled phones in 2020.
- Apple may instead try to cut costs in its supply chain, despite potential added production costs of between $30 and $100 per phone, Kuo said in his note, which was seen by MacRumors.
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Apple will not significantly raise the price on next year's anticipated 5G iPhones, according to a new note by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that was obtained by MacRumors.
Kuo had previously predicted that Apple would launch five 5G-enabled phones in 2020, including four high-end models. In Wednesday's note, he predicted that - despite increased production costs - the company would seek to save money in its supply chain instead of making customers foot the full bill for the new phones, according to MacRumors.
5G wireless networks, which are just beginning to become available, offer higher data speeds and snappier performance than current 4G LTE networks. Samsung, LG, Motorola and OnePlus already sell handsets in the US capable of using 5G, but Apple 5G phones aren't expected until next year.
Kuo did not go as far as to say that Apple wouldn't raise prices at all, only that it won't jump as much as it has in past years. According to MacRumors, Kuo also said he expects Apple might return to a design that more closely resembles the iPhone 4, which set the standard for smartphones when it was released in 2010.
Currently, prices start at $699 for the iPhone 11, $999 for the iPhone 11 Pro, and $1,099 for the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Neither Apple nor Kuo's firm, TF International Securities, could be immediately reached for comment.
