Apple has just launched its new iPhone 17 lineup with some pretty major upgrades that would attract a lot of users. Apart from the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models continue to support mmWave 5G in the United States, in other parts of the world, users are still limited to sub-6GHz 5G networks.
Apple limits mmWave 5G to U.S. iPhone 17 and Pro models, leaving global users restricted to slower sub-6GHz speeds
Since the launch of 5G on the iPhone 12, mmWave has been a U.S.-only feature, Apple has not expanded global support for it, even after all these years. With that said, mmWave adoption is still growing in regions like Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, and parts of Europe, but the company is yet to table mmWave in its iPhone 17 devices sold in these regions.
According to Apple, the cost of equipping devices with mmWave hardware and the expense of building mmWave networks make a wider rollout impractical in countries where uptake is low. However, the technology shines in areas that are crowded, such as stadiums, airports, and concert venues. On the flip side, its short range and inability to penetrate obstacles make it less useful in suburban areas and rural settings, which could be the reason why the company is taking its time to enable the feature in additional markets.
Apple is very clear in its plans as it has decided to backtrack and take back support from iPad Pro models. For instance, the M4 iPad Pro does not feature support for mmWave technology, restricting it to just sub-6GHz 5G modems. Additionally, the newly introduced iPhone Air houses Apple’s custom-designed C1X modem, which also lacks mmWave connectivity.
Unless 5G infrastructure and carrier deployment change significantly, mmWave is likely to remain exclusive to the United States, giving it an advantage over the rest of the world when it comes to connectivity. What users should expect in the United States is blazing-fast 5G speeds for iPhone 17 users. We will be sharing additional details on the matter soon, so be sure to stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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