Apple to Add 5G Support to iPhone 12 in Dual SIM Mode

Published on October 20, 2020

According to internal documents that were posted on Reddit, the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro won’t be able to access 5G networks while in dual SIM mode. MacRumors was able to confirm the document’s authenticity. Apparently, it was for Apple employee training. Apple will, however, issue a software update that will enable 5G, even in dual SIM mode, this year.

Cupertino’s newest iPhones can support a hardware SIM and a software SIM (eSIM) simultaneously. This gives you the ability to have access to two networks at the same time. The iPhone 12 , however, will only have access to 4G LTE networks at launch in this configuration. The internal document reads:

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.

You will, however, have to remove your hardware SIM to access a 5G network with an eSIM. When Apple issues its patch later this year, you more than likely won’t be needing to remove any SIM cards or deal with a 4G connection more than a month. Apple’s iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will ship on October 23rd. The iPhone mini and the iPhone Max will be follow on November 13th.

Related post: iPhone 12 to be Revealed on October 13th