The 2020 iPhones Will All Have 5G, Apple Analyst Predicts

The arrival of 5G is no doubt seen as a massive opportunity for Apple to generate a larger iPhone upgrade cycle in 2020.

Apple may be looking to go big on 5G in 2020 as the company seeks to prompt more iPhone users to upgrade to new models.

All three of the new iPhone models that are expected in 2020 will feature support for high-speed 5G connectivity, according to reports on a research note from well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

[Related: Solution Providers: $1B Apple-Intel Smartphone Modem Deal Undermines Qualcomm]

His confidence is bolstered by Apple's acquisition of Intel's smartphone modem business, which will provide "more resource for developing the 5G iPhone," wrote Kuo, of TF International Securities, in the note to investors.

Apple and Intel announced the $1 billion deal Thursday, which will include intellectual property, equipment and 2,200 employees from Intel. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Apple is expected to use Qualcomm modems in the 2020 iPhone lineup, following the resuming of Apple’s business relationship with the chipmaker in April.

Meanwhile, a Reuters report indicates that Apple will seek to leverage its Intel modem acquisition to develop its own modems for the 2021 iPhones.

The arrival of 5G is no doubt seen as a massive opportunity for Apple to generate a larger iPhone upgrade cycle in 2020.

Apple's iPhone revenue has plummeted in recent quarters, down nearly 15 percent in the quarter ended Dec. 29 and down 17 percent in the quarter ended March 30.

Poor iPhone demand in China and a slow pace of iPhone upgrades in developed markets have been among the major issues, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook.

"Our customers are holding onto their older iPhones a bit longer than in the past," Cook said during a call with analysts in January.