mmWave 5G on the iPhone 13 remains limited to American models

Although several sources rumored that iPhone 13 models would be compatible with mmWave 5G in other countries, it turns out that mmWave remains limited to iPhone 13 models sold in the US, as was the case with iPhone 12 models.

Apple’s mobile compatibility page confirms that only the US models of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro support 5G mmWave bands. Also, on the Apple product pages for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, the devices are only displayed with a mmWave antenna window on the company’s website in the US, without any mmWave antenna window to no other country.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that mmWave 5G-compatible iPhone 13 models would be available in additional markets, such as Canada, Japan, Australia and some European countries. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce also expected iPhones with mmWave 5G to be available in more countries, citing its own research.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds over short distances, making it more suitable for dense urban areas. In comparison, sub-6 GHz 5Gs are usually slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further and serve better in suburban and rural areas. All four iPhone 13 models support sub-6 GHz outside the United States, and sub-6 GHz networks are more common in countries that have implemented 5G.

According to Apple, iPhone 13 models generally support additional 5G bands, which makes the devices have greater 5G coverage worldwide.

All four iPhone 13 models will be available for pre-order starting this Friday, September 17 at 5 a.m. Pacific time in more than 30 countries and regions, and all devices will launch a week later on Friday 24 of September.