After reports, Apple today confirmed that it is working with carrier partners in India, and will roll out a software update to enable 5G for its iPhone 12 models or later and iPhone SE3 in December so that they will work with Airtel and Reliance Jio’s 5G networks.
Apple takes some time to test and validate its devices whenever a new carrier launches their 5G network. The company said that it needs to complete network validation and testing for quality and performance before it rolls out the update for its devices.
Apple did not reveal any details about the update for the iPad Air 5th Gen, which has 5G support, but it should also get 5G support along with the iPhone.
Airtel’s non-standalone 5G Plus network went live in eight Indian cities earlier this month. It will roll out the service across most cities by March 2023 and across the country by March 2024. Reliance Jio’s 5G service based on standalone (SA) architecture went live in beta in 4 cities recently, and it will expand progressively as cities keep getting ready, said the company.
Regarding the 5G update, Apple in a statement said:
We are working with our carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance is completed. 5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December.