4G-Only iPhone 12 Potentially In the Works for Early 2021: REPORT

An affordable iPhone 12 model might be on the way — but you’ll struggle to get one this year.

For months now the layout of the iPhone 12 landscape was thought to be very clear — there’s going to be four different models of the new iPhone launched. Starting with a compact 5.4-inch iPhone 12, the range then includes a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max, a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, and finally a super-sized iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Now, though, it looks like a cheap fifth iPhone 12 is going to be added to the list — however you might be hard-pressed to get your hands on one this year.

A report from Wedbush Securities analysts Daniel Ives, Strecker Backe and Ahmad Khalil claims that Apple could come out with a cheaper iPhone 12 that would only be able to connect with LTE networks. The Wedbush report, spotted by Business Insider, expects a 4G iPhone 12 to come out in early 2021, possibly in February.

Ives claims that the 4G model will be cheaper than the 5G models, and predicts it will cost around $800 USD. Apple hasn’t been afraid to price its smartphones more aggressively in recent years, with the entry-level iPhone 11 retailing for $700 USD, and the second-generation iPhone SE selling for $400. Ives wasn’t able to offer any additional details about the 4G iPhone, such as its specifications or size, though he believes the design will likely be the same.

“Price points will be aggressive as Apple goes after their broader customer base,” the analyst stated. “Especially in a recession, in a COVID-19 backdrop, they need to make sure they’re hitting all price categories.”

Interestingly they also only refer to one 4G iPhone 12 here, rather than the two models that we’d previously heard rumored, but whether one or two, it sounds like the wait might be lengthy.