KGI: Next Year's iPhone Models to Have Upgraded Intel and Qualcomm Modems Enabling Faster LTE Speeds

Apple's next-generation iPhone models released in 2018 will feature Intel's XMM 7560 and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X20 modems, enabling faster LTE transmission speeds, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

kuo modems

Image: KGI Securities

Kuo highlighted that both new chips support 4x4 MIMO technology, compared to only 2x2 MIMO in the latest iPhone models, which leads him to believe LTE transmission speeds will increase significantly in 2018 iPhones.

In his latest research note, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo predicted Intel will supply Apple with 70 to 80 percent or more of the baseband chips.

New baseband chips from Intel & Qualcomm will significantly boost transmission speed of new 2H18 iPhone models thanks to supporting 4x4 MIMO antenna design: We believe that 2H18 new iPhones will upgrade baseband chips from Intel’s XMM 7480 and Qualcomm's MDM 9655 in 2H17 to Intel’s XMM 7560 and Qualcomm's SDX 20. As both new chips support 4x4 MIMO technology, compared to only 2x2 MIMO in 2H17, we anticipate LTE transmission speeds will increase significantly. We believe Intel will supply Apple with 70-80% or more of required baseband chips.

Kuo also predicted that next year's iPhone models will feature dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS), with support for LTE+LTE connections, which allows two SIM cards to be active simultaneously using only one set of chips.

2H18 iPhone models won't only offer faster LTE transmission speed: We predict that at least one of the 2H18 new iPhone models will support dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS). Unlike existing DSDS phones, which commonly support LTE+3G connections, we believe next-generation iPhone models will support LTE+LTE connections, in a bid to enhance the user experience.

It's not entirely clear if the new iPhones would have a dual SIM card slot or if one of the SIM cards would be embedded into the device.

Top Rated Comments

OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
72 months ago
BREAKING NEWS: The next model will have improvements from the current model. Maybe.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bladerunner2000 Avatar
72 months ago
They're all huge. Is it too much to ask for a normal HAND held sized phone?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Digital Dude Avatar
72 months ago
Well, it's about time as my iPhone X is already growing long in the tooth; and it doesn't even arrive until Monday.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KingslayerG5 Avatar
72 months ago


Sarcasm because of planned obsolescence.. And people expect Apple NOT to improve with next year's iPhones? You know the charade and pattern already. Will look the same but internal improvements. Tick-tock.






Stage 1: Buy new iPhone
Stage 2: Say you love it and call it best ever
Stage 3: Boredom
Stage 4: Sell it, trade-in, or give it away
Stage 5: Buy latest iPhone

^ Repeat every step to fulfill that iPhone fix you have.

We live in the ADHD era anyway. People may ask you about your newest iPhone and completely forget about it a minute later. We forget like over 90% of what we will see visually within the next minute. Most of us won't even remember what we had for breakfast by time someone may ask us by dinner time. Unless you have super memory like Marilu Henner. I wouldn't want that. I want to be like Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Ignorance is bliss.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iPhone_X Avatar
72 months ago
When I see that photo with the three different iPhone sizes rumored for next year, I wonder why they aren't making an iPhone SE X. Besides the provocative and unlikely name, I'd love a device that is only a little wider than the SE but with a full frontal ~4.7" display. Price it at $800 if you have to, I don't care! Another option would be to take exact same 4.7" display ratio from the iPhone 7, but with rounded corners. So it's wider than the SE but not taller yet still 16:9 and OLED.

Also, has anyone asked how they would get LCD into that form factor? I thought you needed flexible OLED to do the corners properly.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
geoff5093 Avatar
72 months ago
The 6.1" LCD model makes zero sense to have.

They're all huge. Is it too much to ask for a normal HAND held sized phone?
You mean the 5.8" phone? It's the same size as the 4.7" iPhone 8, which is already a small phone.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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