Archived Post

Rumor: Apple to shift to a staggered iPhone release schedule in 2021

In a note to clients — as noted by MarketWatch — JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee predicts that Apple to introduce four new iPhone models in fall 2020 before shifting to a staggered launch cadence in 2021.

He thinks Apple to unveil four new 2020 smartphones devices, including a 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch devices, and one 6.7-inch phone, all of which will support 5G connectivity. Chatterjee expects that Apple’s two new higher-end devices will feature “world-facing” 3D sensing, a technology that could help Apple boost its augmented-reality capabilities and support other feature improvements on its priciest devices.

Though Apple has always rolled out its new iPhones in the fall, Chatterjee thinks the tech giant may begin a new “launch cadence with the release of two new iPhone models in 1H21 followed by another two in 2H21” to help Apple “smooth seasonality” around iPhone launches.

The Sellers Research Group (that’s me) is a bit dubious of the staggered release prediction. Apple’s fall iPhone debut is one of the company’s biggest events of the year and I just don’t see Apple changing this anytime soon.

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.