The iPhone X has just released, but there’s always rumors afloat about the next big thing in Apple’s extremely successful smartphone line. While some of these rumors are off-base and random, there are certain reports and leaks that have much more credibility. According to report uncovered by MacRumors from KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone X successor could feature dual SIM support.
Ming-Chi Kuo has been a reliable source for smartphone knowledge in the past, so it’s very likely that this information is legitimate. It’s currently possible to add dual SIM support to an iPhone, but it’s much more elegant and convenient for the majority of customers to have an option for this feature right out of the box. If this rumor is true, it could make the iPhone a perfect handset for both business and pleasure.
What’s unclear, however, is whether or not the dual SIM functionality will come standard or if it will be an option only available in select lines of iPhones. Samsung, for example, offers their dual SIM “Duo” versions separate from main Galaxy lineups. The average phone user probably doesn’t have much use for two SIM cards, so it’s possible that this feature may only be included in the manufacturer’s top-of-the-line model.
It’s clear that the phone has the capability to support two chips at 4G LTE speeds, which is not a feature standard on most dual SIM phones. Having access to extremely fast speeds even with two SIM cards is a big benefit that ensures having two multiple plans or numbers on an iPhone won’t slow you down.
One interesting aspect to consider is where exactly the second SIM will fit into the new phone. In recent years, smartphones have been getting thinner and thinner, and adding a whole other SIM card when space is at a premium may require a slightly bulkier construction. Redmondpie speculates that the iPhone X successor may utilize eSIM technology, a more compact SIM alternative that is currently present in the Apple Watch Series 3 and iPad Pro. If there’s one thing that’s certain, space in these phones is at a premium, and it’s unlikely that Apple would backtrack and release a thicker iPhone.
Also listed in Ming-Chi Kuo’s report was information suggesting that the iPhone X successor would also feature faster baseband chips from Intel and Qualcomm. Ming-Chi Kuo also anticipates that Intel will provide roughly 70-80% of the chips, a number that makes sense considering Apple’s recent quarrels with Qualcomm. These chips feature “Pre-5G” technology, and will make for a phone that’s noticeably faster than the current generation.
While none of this information is confirmed, Ming-Chi Kuo has a proven track record of iPhone prediction success. For multiple years, he has provided reliable knowledge long before release. The ability to have multiple numbers and plans on an unmodified iPhone is unprecedented, as is the support for equal speeds on both SIMs. Sooner rather than later, we may be able to use our iPhone for both work and play, with access to two different numbers on the same high-end device.
