Why There's A Cutout On The Side Of iPhone

Starting with iPhone 12, Apple added this rounded cutout on the side of every model. But they didn’t explain what it was or why it existed. Many assumed it would be for the Apple Pencil. Since it looked similar to a cutout included on the iPad that allows the second generation Apple Pencil to magnetically attach and charge. But the iPhone doesn’t support Apple Pencil. So why did Apple add this cutout to iPhone?

[--]

This isn't for the regular 5G, but for the millimetre wave standard. The millimetre wave frequency is banned most places outside of military use, except the USA, meaning only the US models come with this cutout.

[WillWatchAnything]

Specifically the cutout is for millimeter wave 5G reception which is not yet available in all 5G coverage areas.

[korveftw]

Just a quick note
Here in Europe we don't got this plastic cutout. Only the 4 small antennas

[enzmondo]

Actually the cutout is for millimetre wave 5G. That’s the one that will give you~1Gb/s speeds when in direct and unobstructed connection to a mmWave 5G antenna. Most countries don’t have mmWave so most iPhone models with 5G sold outside the US don’t have that cutout.

[ismilehossain]

This is like the most interesting channel about Apple and technology ever. It answers questions that I never knew I had.

[calebmurphyy]

Hi, just figured I'd say this but I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (I know, samsung on apple explained..) and it has these too. Just figured I'd share this as a fun fact!
By the way, I love how you answer questions I never even asked in your videos haha. Great work!!

[Jayden-lrmm]

I have seen this cutout on the iPhone before, however I wasn’t sure what it was. I thought it was some wifi cellar or something. Good explanation of what is was. On previous models on iPhone 5, I saw the antenna lines on the four corners as well and though it was a wifi cellar lines

[PhilUP]

It's for 5g connection, but it would've been cool if it was for a mini Apple Pencil.

[blykan]

It’s a millimetre(er)Wave 5G NR antenna for receiving 28-39Ghz frequencies in US model since iPhone 12 lineups (band 258, 260 and 261).

On iPad Pro 5th gen (12.9) / 3rd gen (11) both have this antenna same as iPhone.

Rest of the word models didn’t include this antenna piece because Sub-6Ghz antenna has embedded in iPhone and mmWave didn’t widely use outside US.

[tymkon]

If you’re wondering why you don’t see cutout on your iPhone 12, it’s because you’re living outside US. United States use different method of 5G reception than the other regions

[salimmalik]

Those cutouts were not available for Indian iPhone 12 and greater models as here there will be no Ultra frequency bands in 5G

[anubrata_]

This has been my question for many days since I saw MKBHD's iPhone review video, what the heck is that and why it's present. Thanks for explaining.
Also I learned from other sources that that cutout is only present in US iPhone models, not present in Indian or other models since US uses mmwave frequency for 5G; other regions use sub6GHZ frequency (5G not yet in India lol)

[namenlos]

NOT EVERY MODEL!!! in EU we don't have this ugly cutout :)

[Jaur-jaur]

Correction: iPhone 6, 6s, and 7 all had plastic cutouts as well — the antenna bands on the back of the phone. Also, if you want to get picky, the antenna lines in the sides of every lPhone have always been plastic.

[chrols]

It’s for MM wave 5G and I think it’s the USA model only, which causes an issue if you’re seeking certain repair services outside of the states.

[skippycavanugh]

When I first saw iPhone 12 keynote and noticed the cutout I thought it was a fingerprint/TouchID sensor. I was very surprised that Apple has finally heard user demand for return of Touch ID and saw entire keynote for its introduction. After the keynote I read it in a article it’s a 5G Millimetre Wave antenna lol

[RikiCL]

Yeah, that antenna is for mmWave 5G, and it’s used only in the US, for example, in Europe we don’t have it and phone cases don’t have the cutout either

[lethaboelvismahlangu]

The international version doesn’t have that cut out. My iPhone 13 doesn’t have that cut out and it obviously supports 5G but not the millimetre wave

[JustARandomGuy-]

Thanks for the explanation, I got an iPhone 12 mini less than a month ago, and I was wondering what that cutout was since my old iPhone 11 didn't have one.

[TheSlopMeister]

The cutout is for US models only because of millimetre wave standard. My European model doesn’t have one because of laws in the EU on it.