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Apple Plans to Enable 5G in Dual SIM Mode With Software Update Later This Year [Updated]

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iPhone XS models and newer feature both a physical SIM slot and a digital eSIM, allowing for a feature known as dual SIM, dual standby. This means you can have two lines of service on one iPhone, which is useful for purchasing data-only plans while traveling abroad or having personal and business lines on a single iPhone.

iphone-esim-dual-sim-status-bar.jpg

5G will not be available in Dual SIM mode on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro at launch, however, according to an internal training document for Apple employees shared on Reddit. MacRumors can confirm that the document is authentic.

From the document:
"Does 5G work with Dual SIM?"
When using two lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G data isn't supported on either line and will fall back to 4G LTE. If customers are using eSIM only and are on a 5G supported carrier and service plan, they'll have 5G access.
Click to expand...
According to an internal Verizon slide obtained by MacRumors, however, Apple plans to enable 5G support in Dual SIM mode with a software update later this year. In the meantime, Verizon says that eSIM customers must remove the physical SIM from their iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro to access its 5G network.

5G is automatically enabled on iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models, as long as users have chosen a supported wireless carrier that offers a 5G network. To access 5G while roaming in other countries, Apple's document says that customers can purchase a local SIM card or eSIM plan and use it as a single line with 5G where available.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders began last Friday, and shipments will begin arriving to customers this coming Friday. iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available to pre-order starting Friday, November 6.

Update: 2020 has ended without Apple enabling 5G in Dual SIM mode, despite an internal Verizon presentation indicating that a software update would enable this functionality by the end of the year. Apple has not responded to requests for comment.

Article Link: Apple Plans to Enable 5G in Dual SIM Mode With Software Update Later This Year [Updated]
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/19/5g-dual-sim-mode-software-update-planned/
Last edited:
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Probably wasn’t a high priority feature. Kind of makes sense given the shortened development cycle of the iPhone 12.
 
It's fine because @Jmausmuc has already jumped the gun and cancelled their order lmao:


Jmausmuc said:
Order is now cancelled, sticking with XS for another year. Disappointing because I was looking forward to some new tech, but since I don’t take many pictures, the iPhone 12 already felt like only a smalll update.

i would not be able to use 5G at all, because I use dual sim 24/7.

I am waiting for the next iPhone with hopefully real 5G (including international UW) support, 120hz and a smaller notch. That will feel much better
Click to expand...
 
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Reactions: 2010mini, SurferPup, Doodah7 and 31 others
Would be interesting if you can use data and wifi at the same time. Samsung did this a while back where it would increase download speed -- im not sure if their phones still do that.
 
Apple sells me the future again. May they enable dual 5G or may be not.
The Tim knows. :)
 
Steve121178 said:
The roadmap is planned years in advance, so development was the same as it usually is.

It was just manufacturing & supply chain issues causing delays for the iPhone 12 series.
Click to expand...

Apple wasn’t even on speaking terms with Qualcomm until April 2019. So no, development wasn’t the same as usual.
 
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Better wait for all the dust settle before going after the expensive stuff unless people are ready to lose one connection. If it is just enabling through Software it would have already happened. Obviously testing is still going on. The early adapters would obviously give others useful input!
 
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Lets Go said:
Cancelled my order. I have dual sim and if I can't get 5G I will wait until it is available. Glad I found this out before going to the store Friday and picking it up. 5G was the only reason I was upgrading from my perfectly fine XR.
Click to expand...

Like, the only reason? 5G has been nothing but a disappointment based on all the reports from Android devices having 5G. 5G would be the last reason I would have to upgrade. What is your use case that makes 5G so desirable?
 
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Lets Go said:
Cancelled my order. I have dual sim and if I can't get 5G I will wait until it is available. Glad I found this out before going to the store Friday and picking it up. 5G was the only reason I was upgrading from my perfectly fine XR.
Click to expand...
The article says dual SIM 5G will be rolled out later this year. The year has only about 2 months left. Can't you just use 4G for few weeks?
 
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It’s really incredible that Apple thinks it’s OK to begin pre-orders (selling) without even mentioning this officially. At the very least they need to add an *Asterix* exclamation to the dual sim page

Sure 5G coverage isn’t amazing in most places but that’s no excuse for just leaving people who need dual sim out to dry without even so much as a warning.

I really can’t believe there are people in the previous thread who were (are) defending this. It’s about Apple not being honest with people spending tons of money on a new phone.
 
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I never understand people are so gung-ho about buying the latest tech when they know it will have shortcomings, then they post on forums that they are going to return it when it was really their own fault for wanting to be first. That's the tech industry. We're gonna run into the same issue when people clamor over getting the first ARM-based Macs.
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Jarman74 said:
Sorry, but "release first, fix later" doesn't cut it. I didn't like Dolby Atmos support coming late to the Apple TV party either.
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Well then you should never buy any tech because that's the way the entire tech industry works.
 
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Reactions: SurferPup, mtneer, whoknows2597 and 5 others
And to think everyone lost their minds in the prior post for no reason... naw, there’s a catch. Probably take them a year to implement it, 5G isn’t ready, must wait for 5G V2 Antenna, Apple got the cash from providers and doesn’t care now, and all the rest of the BS when it seemed more than obvious this was the case.
 
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Ramchi said:
Better wait for all the dust settle before going after the expensive stuff unless people are ready to lose one connection. If it is just enabling through Software it would have already happened. Obviously testing is still going on. The early adapters would obviously give others useful input!
Click to expand...
I'll be fine. I only need one SIM.
 
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