Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple's Rumored to Debut First 5G iPhone in 2020 With Intel as Modem Supplier
Apple will launch its first 5G iPhone in 2020, according to an unnamed source that spoke to Fast Company.
Apple is said to be planning to use Intel's 8161 modem chip in the 2020 iPhone lineup, with Intel set to be the sole provider of 5G chips for Apple devices. The upcoming 8161 chip will be fabricated using Intel's 10-nanometer process.
Right now, Intel is said to be testing a precursor to the 8161, the 8060, which will be used for prototyping the 5G iPhone.
Fast Company's source says that Apple has "been unhappy" with Intel as of late because of Intel's failure to solve heat dissipation and battery life issues with the 8060 modem chip that's in the works.
With its legal dispute with Qualcomm escalating, Apple has been relying on Intel chips for its devices. The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR all use Intel modem chips, with Apple having transitioned away from Qualcomm entirely for its flagship iPhone lineup.
Rumors late last year suggested Intel and Apple were already working on 5G chip technology for future iPhone devices. Intel is said to have thousands of people working on 5G tech to catch up with Qualcomm and win Apple's 5G modem contract.
The first 5G smartphones are expected to start debuting early in 2019, with the first to be Android devices using Qualcomm 5G chips. 5G technology is expected to deliver speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster than the average 4G connection, at a gigabit per second or higher, along with lower latency and other benefits.
Apple is said to be planning to use Intel's 8161 modem chip in the 2020 iPhone lineup, with Intel set to be the sole provider of 5G chips for Apple devices. The upcoming 8161 chip will be fabricated using Intel's 10-nanometer process.
Right now, Intel is said to be testing a precursor to the 8161, the 8060, which will be used for prototyping the 5G iPhone.
Fast Company's source says that Apple has "been unhappy" with Intel as of late because of Intel's failure to solve heat dissipation and battery life issues with the 8060 modem chip that's in the works.
Many wireless carriers, including Verizon and AT&T in the U.S., will initially rely on millimeter-wave spectrum (between 30 gigahertz and 300 Ghz) to connect the first 5G phones. But millimeter-wave signal requires some heavy lifting from the modem chips, our source explains. This causes the release of higher-than-normal levels of thermal energy inside the phone-so much so that the heat can be felt on the outside of the phone.Despite its displeasure with Intel, Apple has not considered reopening conversations with Qualcomm about supplying 5G modems for the 2020 iPhone models. The company has, however, held conversations with modem chip maker MediaTek as a Plan B if Intel can't work out its modem problems over the course of the next year and a half.
With its legal dispute with Qualcomm escalating, Apple has been relying on Intel chips for its devices. The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR all use Intel modem chips, with Apple having transitioned away from Qualcomm entirely for its flagship iPhone lineup.
Rumors late last year suggested Intel and Apple were already working on 5G chip technology for future iPhone devices. Intel is said to have thousands of people working on 5G tech to catch up with Qualcomm and win Apple's 5G modem contract.
The first 5G smartphones are expected to start debuting early in 2019, with the first to be Android devices using Qualcomm 5G chips. 5G technology is expected to deliver speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster than the average 4G connection, at a gigabit per second or higher, along with lower latency and other benefits.
Related Roundup: 2019 iPhones
Tag: 2020 iPhones
[ 271 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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9 months ago
MediaTek? Seriously?
Give up Apple, just pay Qualcomm. You're not hurting for cash.
Give up Apple, just pay Qualcomm. You're not hurting for cash.
9 months ago
It's not about money, principles are though.
At Apple, profits > principles.
Strange world we live in when a $50 Huawei has Qualcomm radio but a future $1K iPhone might have a Mediatek radio.
9 months ago
Say what you will about Qualcomm, but they're still #1 when it comes to modem technology. And to me, it's a loss that Apple doesn't have them in their iPhones anymore. Perfect example of a battle between two big companies where the loser is the consumer.
9 months ago
Hopefully it will be called iPhone 5G. Time to get out of the messy names like iPhone XR, XS and XS Max...
9 months ago
"... millimeter-wave signal requires some heavy lifting from the modem chips, our source explains. This causes the release of higher-than-normal levels of thermal energy inside the phone-so much so that the heat can be felt on the outside of the phone".
Only thermal energy - how about radiation?
Only thermal energy - how about radiation?
9 months ago
Qualcomm, HiSilicon, Intel, MediaTek
Out of the 4 competitors, Apple is choosing the bottom 2 to buy modems from. Seems like Apple enjoys a challenge.
Out of the 4 competitors, Apple is choosing the bottom 2 to buy modems from. Seems like Apple enjoys a challenge.
9 months ago
"Our fastest iPhone EVER! You can do AMAZING THINGS with 5G!! Prices start at $1699." - Tim Cook at iPhone Dog-and-Pony show.
9 months ago
It's not about money, principles are though.
Is that why Apple charges $39 for an iPhone silicone case?
Or includes a 5W adapter with a $999 iPhone?
9 months ago
I, for one, could care less about 5G; just because you can, doesn't necessarily mean you should. It seems like a lot of tech these days is not about addressing a need, but about obsoleting existing gear to steer you toward upgrading your products. Just IMO, ofc.
9 months ago
At Apple, profits > principles.
It sure seems they've shifted that way in the past 5 years or so.
[ Read All Comments ]
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