Australian Financial Review: 5G leaves Apple's big iPhone launch looking limp

Joe Hanlon Publisher at WhistleOut talks about expectations for the forthcoming iPhone 11.:

Joe Hanlon, publisher at the phone comparison site WhistleOut, said it was looking highly unlikely that Apple would have a genuinely new feature or innovation ready for this year's iPhone, but it could encourage some consumers to upgrade by solving some of the bugbears that have upset existing users.

"Apple certainly needs to do more than increase processor performance and incrementally boost the quality of the camera if it hopes to convince people to upgrade this year," he said.

"For example, an iPhone with a battery that could last for two days or more would be a huge hit."

Mr Hanlon said every launch was a test of the strength of Apple's brand, and despite its consistently high global market share, its status as an innovator and market leader was now in question.

"It has been several years since Apple has proved it was ahead of it competitors, and it looks like this year's iPhone will be more of the same," he said.

Consumers were increasingly searching for 5G technology on WhistleOut, with current 5G models such as the new Samsung Note 10 a standout. But Mr Hanlon said those definitely buying new phones were not likely to factor in 5G until next year.