Apple iPhone 5G is a year away, but component sourcing issues are already here

New York: Apple Inc. is expected to wait until 2020 before it releases a 5G version of its iPhone, but even with a time frame that puts a potential launch after rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, Apple may still struggle to get the necessary components to build the product.

According to Cowen, Apple is “in a difficult position” given its reliance on Intel’s modem products, and it has four options to deal with the situation, “none of which is ideal.” Added analyst Matthew Ramsay, “our industry contacts at MWC remained as surprised as we are that Apple is in this situation,” referring to the Mobile World Congress, a conference dedicated to the wireless industry.