Intel 5G baseband delay, Apple may use its own solution?

According to TechSpot, although the technology is still in its infancy, more and more smartphone manufacturers are developing 5G phones. However, Apple seems to be late, and its 5G iPhone will not be available until next year, but the ups and downs between Apple and Intel may lead to further delays.

According to a Fast Company report, Intel will provide the 5G baseband XMM 8160 for Apple's new 2020 mobile phone, the only baseband supplier for the three iPhones launched last year. Chipzilla said that the XMM 8160 is expected to be launched in the second half of this year, but there is news that Apple "has lost confidence" in Intel's ability to deliver on time.

If Apple plans to launch a 5G iPhone in September next year, Intel will have to deliver the baseband samples to Apple by the end of this summer and deliver the finished design in early 2020, but the delay in development makes this seem unlikely.

It is rumored that Intel has also regretted a deal with Apple. The project manager who coordinated with Cupertino has changed three, and Intel has received little benefit from the agreement. In addition, Apple also requires that its needs take precedence over other Intel customers.

Most Android phone makers use Qualcomm's baseband, but Intel was the only supplier of Apple's iPhone baseband last year – the result of a patent lawsuit between Apple and Qualcomm. This means that with the competitor's Android phone carrying a 5G baseband such as Qualcomm X50, Apple can only wait for Intel to catch up.

According to reports, Apple has tried to obtain 5G baseband from Samsung and MediaTek, but both companies are unlikely to provide chips before the release date of the iPhone next year.

It seems that Apple is more likely to use a self-designed baseband. According to reports, Apple has 1,000 to 1,200 engineers developing chips and recruiting RF engineers from Intel and Qualcomm, all working in a new development center in San Diego.

According to analysts, 20 million 5G compatible mobile phones will be sold next year. By 2023, this number is expected to rise to 930 million, accounting for almost half of all mobile phone sales.