The rumor mill has Apple working on two separate designs for the 5G iPhone later this year
Apple is widely expected to use Qualcomm modems to offer fast wireless connectivity, but it is now being reported that Apple may not use Qualcomm’s QTM 525 millimeter-wave antenna as it does not fit into the slim design of the upcoming iPhones.
The street has Apple feeling that the new iPhone’s industrial design may not have enough space for the Qualcomm antenna, and is instead working on a couple of design variants right now, with one using both the X55 modem and Qualcomm’s antenna, causing a slightly thicker build, alongside another thinner design that uses Apple’s in-house antenna.
Apple and Qualcomm has had a very rocky relationship to say the least. Both firms had sue each other and partners over the last few year.
Back on April 16th of 2019, just as a trial had begun in a federal courtroom in San Diego over a suit Apple had filed against Qualcomm, the two companies said they had dismiss all litigation between them worldwide. They added that they had reached a six-year agreement for Apple to pay unspecified royalties on Qualcomm’s patents. The deal also included a two-year option for an extension, plus a multiyear agreement for Qualcomm to supply chips to Apple. In addition, Apple will make an undisclosed one-time payment to Qualcomm.
Apple has bought most of Intel’s smartphone modem unit, so in the long term they may before their own supplier of radios used in their phones. OR could that time be now?
Qualcomm’s modems currently power most flagship 5G phones available today, including the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S20 series.
