5G or not 5G, that is the question for Apple

THREE new iPhones, a revamped smartwatch, TV service, and fresh software features are likely to be unveiled later this week at Apple’s biggest event of the year in California.

And, while Australian consumers should brace for a wave of new smartphone offers from Thursday, experts predict the technology could arrive without a critical element — a 5G connection — that will see many potential buyers hit the snooze button on an upgrade.

It could, they say, cost Apple up to 400,000 sales this year.

Apple sent out invitations to its highly anticipated iPhone launch last week, tagged “by innovation only”.

The company is widely expected to reveal three new smartphones in Steve Jobs Theater, including a top model possibly called the iPhone Pro that will arrive with three rear cameras for the first time.

Apple is also expected to release a new version of its budget-friendly iPhone XR, and new hardware for all three models could include a faster chip, a USB-C charging port, fresh colours, and new wireless charging features.

But Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi warned users might not be won over by the latest announcement if, as expected, Apple decided to delay the arrival of a 5G iPhone until 2020.

“The big talking point is whether Apple can deliver 5G or not,” Mr Fadaghi said.

“We’ve done modelling around the impact of 5G on the market and around half of iPhone users are telling us that 5G is important for their next upgrade. This could impact Apple’s performance for the next 12 months.”

The decision to ignore 5G for another year could see the company sell as many as 400,000 fewer iPhone in Australia this year, Mr Fadaghi said, and affect smartphone sales worldwide.

Gartner recently revealed Apple smartphone sales had already slowed this year, with 134 million fewer iPhones sold globally in the second quarter.

Apple will stream its launch event on YouTube.