Rumor: 2019 iPhones, 2019 model iPad Pro units could adopt new antenna technology

Apple is rumored to be using a new material for its antennas in this year’s iPhone models.

The company is said to be planning to use a modified-PI (MPI) material for most of its 2019 model iPhones, as opposed to the liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material currently used in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR materials.

The finding comes from the latest research note published by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo believes that LCP limits the RF performance of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XRantennas due to current technology limitations and production issues. This puts the RF performance of MPI material at least on par with LCP, despite MPI being easier and cheaper to produce. 

Kuo also stated that he expects that LCP will remain the primary material for 5G antennas in the 2020 model iPhones, as he feels the production issues limiting the performance of LCP should be resolved by then.

The note also cited the expectation that LCP-based antennas would start appearing in future iPad models, beginning from the late fourth quarter of 2019.

Kuo said those new iPad Pro models will feature flexible circuit boards using LCP.

Stay tuned for further details as they become available.

Via MacRumors