Flagship iPhone 12 Could Be Backward Compatible Thanks To This Hardware

The flagship smartphone war is getting stiffer as tech giants battle with the best products to win the hearts of consumers in 2020. Apple is reportedly shifting from its standard three new models release to six variants release next year. Based on new reports, the ultra-premium variant would be the iPhone 12 Pro max, which will reportedly feature backward compatibility with previous generation connectivity networks because of its new modem.

Apple is reportedly sticking to its pattern of labeling model names next year, and one of the six iPhone 12 models will be the direct successor of the iPhone 11 Pro Max. But, while some of the iPhone 12 models will feature 4G, LTE, and 5G, the Pro Max variant will be the only model that will be sold in the 5G version. Earlier reports suggest that Apple tapped Qualcomm to be its supplier of wireless connectivity modem.

The general assumption is that the iPhone 12 Pro Max will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem. And if this assumption pans out, then consumers could expect that this variant will feature backward compatibility with previous wireless connectivity networks. This is because Qualcomm’s X55 modem features multi-mode compatibility.

5G-ready iPhone 12 models are anticipated to be more expensive than their 4G counterparts because of the price of acquiring separate modems. Additionally, Apple has to reportedly design a dedicated power delivery system for a discrete modem. Moreover, the Cupertino company would need to incorporate a thermal solution to disperse all the internal heat.

5G modems are linked to 5G networks, which means you can expect that the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s battery to drain quickly. This could also be among the reasons why Apple would release the iPhone 12 Pro Max as a flagship variant considering that internal engineering modifications that the handset has to deliver the best battery life. Several sites earlier report that Apple will use ultrasmall capacitors to allow bigger cells in the device’s circuitry.

But, it is worth noting that these are all based on leaks and not official announcements from Apple. And, just like any leak, we recommend taking the information lightly and with skepticism. We will keep you updated with the latest news and updates on Apple and its products as soon as we stumble upon new details.