Apple Reportedly Drops Intel for 5G Modems

A news report said Apple has reportedly ditched Intel for 5G iPhones in 2020. Intel, however, said its 5G customer engagements and roadmap have not changed for 2018 through 2020.

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

July 5, 2018

1 Min Read
Apple Reportedly Drops Intel for 5G Modems

Apple has reportedly dropped Intel as the 5G modem supplier for its initial next-generation iPhones. Intel, however, said its plans haven't changed.

Israeli tech publication CTECH cites documents seen and sources that say that Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) won't be using Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC)'s "Sunny Peak" 5G modem in its initial 5G iPhone, which it was planning to launch in 2020. (See Apple in Hiring Frenzy for 5G Device Design and Intel Wants to Be a 5G Player.)

"Intel's 5G customer engagements and roadmap have not changed for 2018 through 2020," said an Intel spokeswoman in an email to Light Reading. "We remain committed to our 5G plans and projects."

If the CTECH report turns out to be true, Apple could use other suppliers for early 5G modem chips, notably Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM). However, Apple and Qualcomm have a long-term lawsuit ongoing, but Apple has still been using the chip designer for 4G modems, along with Intel. (See Apple Trying to Drop Qualcomm – Report.)

Qualcomm has previously said that it expects the first 5G smartphones to arrive in the first half of 2019. (See Qualcomm: The First 5G Smartphone on Display?)

The first 5G fixed and mobile networks are supposed to arrive in the US in late 2018, with widespread deployment in 2020.

— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading

About the Author

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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