Leaked iPhone 7 Logic Boards Suggest Intel Modem, Other Component Tweaks

Last week, MacRumors covered photos of what appear to be the front and rear of bare iPhone 7 logic boards, and since that time we've been able to study these boards and compare them to previous iPhone generations' bare and populated logic boards.

Comparing the boards with existing component offerings and information suggests that Apple has indeed moved on from Qualcomm as its baseband modem supplier and switched to Intel for the upcoming iPhone generation. This does not preclude Apple from having other versions of the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus logic boards which feature a Qualcomm modem, such as an international model with differing LTE band options, as has been rumored.

iPhone_7_Intel_Modem

Leaked iPhone 7 logic board with Intel modem location annotated

The image above shows the previously leaked and annotated logic board front with the probable location of the Intel baseband modem annotated. The pad pattern for the part in this location is markedly different than the pad pattern for the Qualcomm MDM9635, as shown in iFixit's parts catalog. The pad pattern of this mystery part also appears to match the dimensions listed on Intel's website for similar baseband modem offerings to the rumored XMM 7360 design solution.

Intel's SMARTi 5 RF transceiver, which accompanies the modem in Intel's reference solution, does not appear to be present on the iPhone 7 board, according to the package dimensions specific to the transceiver. It is always possible that the dimensions listed may be for a solution different than what Apple has used, whether it be custom or unannounced, but it appears as though Qualcomm could still be the supplier for the RF transceiver.

While there is not an exact pin match between the logic boards, the package size and overall number of pads on the reverse side is consistent with the WTR3925 and Qualcomm power management chips seen on the iPhone 6S and 6s Plus logic boards. The pad patterns also feature offset rows of pins, which have been historically exclusive to Qualcomm pad patterns on previous iPhones.

iphone_6s_7_logic_bottom_rear

Comparison of bottom rear portion of iPhone 6s (left) and iPhone 7 (right) logic boards

Near the space where the transceiver likely sits on the bottom rear, we've seen quite a few changes, as the separation metallization between RF chain and audio/battery components has gone from horizontal to vertical. As a result, the area dedicated to audio amplifiers and battery charger has grown. With the rumored removal of a headphone jack, it would seem that Apple is prime to remove one amplifier, although that is not evident from the leaked photo. With the display connection inversion and potential introduction of a capacitive home button, there are good reasons this area could have seen some growth.

a9_a10_pinout

Comparison of A9 (left) and A10 (right) pad patterns

Finally, when looking at the A10, we notice a vacant row of pads near all four edges of the pad pattern. This is actually not new to the A10, as the A9 pad pattern also featured this. This is also somewhat common in large chips, such as desktop CPUs, where the inputs and outputs near the edge of the device have some separation from the device's core power and signals. What this resulted in for the A9 is package growth despite a small die shrink comparative to the A8.

Given that the A10 is likely to feature the same 16nm FinFET process as the A9, or some optimized variant thereof, it is very possible that we could see growth in die size without a huge jump in transistor count. As for TSMC's InFO packaging, it's still not clear whether this will drive package sizes at all for Apple's devices.

The A10's board footprint also features four rectangular boxes of missing pins. These may actually be spaces for small components directly under the package of the device. Generally, the performance of some chip components that are used for power filtering benefit most by being as physically close to the device pins as possible, and they are commonly placed directly on the backside of the PCB, connected by vertical metal interconnects through the board called vias, under chips with a large amount of digital switching functionality. For most mobile devices, that space is not available, but that could be one explanation for these sections of missing pins.

With a few weeks to go until the official iPhone 7 unveiling, it's possible we could still see leaks of the logic board populated with chips and other components, which would give us more information about component changes coming in the new device. Full details are unlikely to arrive, however, until teardown experts get their hands on the new iPhone and are able to dig into the components and even put them under a microscope.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...

Top Rated Comments

LordQ Avatar
116 months ago

Thank you Tim Cook!
Where the hell can I buy that!? :eek:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yaxomoxay Avatar
116 months ago

Thank you Tim Cook!
The proof that heart attack and happiness are not mutually exclusive.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sefstah Avatar
116 months ago
THIS IS GONNA BE THE BEST IPHONE EVER! Minus the heaphone jack, no new screen, no expandable memory, huge ugly camera bump, and still no true way to save and organize our files.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
116 months ago
In my day, motherboards couldn't be accidentally swallowed.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agent OrangeZ Avatar
116 months ago

Thank you Tim Cook!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agent OrangeZ Avatar
116 months ago
Not sure what this has to do with the article, but this is seriously making me hungry.
LOL. That is a "sandwich" that KFC used to sell a few years ago called the Double Down. It used chicken for the "buns" and had bacon and cheese in the middle.

It's a joke because a few years ago Tim Cook said Apple was "doubling down" on leaks regarding the secrecy of their unreleased products.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)