Apple's Plans to Release 5G iPhone in 2020 Could Be Stymied by Intel Delays

Intel is having trouble meeting deadlines for the XMM 8160 5G modem that Apple is counting on to add 5G connectivity to its 2020 iPhone lineup, reports Fast Company.

Citing a source with knowledge of Intel and Apple's relationship, Fast Company says that Intel has been missing developmental deadlines on the 5G chip, leading Apple to lose confidence in Intel.

Intel 5G Modem
For a September 2020 launch, sample chips need to be provided to Apple this summer, and a finished modem design needs to be available by the beginning of 2020. Intel has said its chips will be in mobile devices by 2020, and has plans to ship the 8160 5G chip in the second half of 2019, but it's not clear if it will make those target dates.

Apple began using Intel chips alongside Qualcomm chips with the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 7 and ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus, and in 2018, Intel was Apple's exclusive LTE chip supplier for the ‌iPhone‌ XR, XS, and XS Max following Apple's legal woes with Qualcomm.

Rumors have suggested that Apple is planning to introduce 5G connectivity in the ‌iPhone‌ in 2020 and is relying on Intel's chips to do so.

Intel and Apple's relationship is said to be tense, and on the Intel side, there have already been three project managers overseeing the development of the modem. Apple has been holding talks with Samsung and Mediatek about supplying modem chips in the near term, but neither company may have chips ready for 2020.

Fast Company's source says that it would make the most business sense for Apple to go back to Qualcomm, but given the ever-increasing legal tensions between the two companies, that seems unlikely.

Apple is preparing to develop its own modem chips in house so that it doesn't need to rely on either Intel or Qualcomm, but those chips are not going to be ready in time for a 2020 5G iPhone launch.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

DocMultimedia Avatar
59 months ago
I'll be honest, I'm sick of the Qualcomm issue. Just pay a few bucks and keep up with the rest of the 5G world until there are alternative chips.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
59 months ago
I’m fine with LTE for now. It’s not like i can do anything useful in the phone form factor with near-gigabit internet anyway.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
59 months ago
Fast Company says that Intel has been missing developmental deadlines on the 5G chip, leading Apple to lose confidence in Intel.
Just wait for Intel to cancel the chips altogether, citing an inability achieve their high standards.

See if it's as gut-wrenching for you as it was for us… :(

Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GrumpyMom Avatar
59 months ago
Meanwhile at Qualcomm HQ:



Well, my Xr’s modem has been surprisingly good. I don’t think I’ll be seeing any 5G service from AT&T in my area even in 2021, so... whatever. 5G capability didn’t even factor into my Android purchase.

Attachment Image
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Strokee Avatar
59 months ago
As I said in a previous thread:

There are reasons why Apple should release a 5G phone:

1.) Marketing. 5G Android phones will be releasing soon. Next year they will all be 5G.
2.) Future-proofing. Apple loyalists may not jump to Android to get 5G capable phones, but many just wont upgrade their iPhones until Apple offers a 5G capable phone.
3.) Image. Apple’s image is already taking a hit. They’re offering fewer features, dated hardware for higher prices. Offering last-generation-network-access-only doesn’t help their image.

The latest rumors today say (possibly) no 5G iPhone until late 2021 (at the earliest). That’s a long ways away. 5G will be well known, heavily marketed and readily available between now and then. 2.5 years is a lifetime in tech years.

Apple’s foolish Qualcomm battle has painted them into a corner they don’t want to be in. Apologists will come out in droves defending Apple and downplaying this issue, but it’s exactly that: an issue.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Strokee Avatar
59 months ago
If the Galaxy Note 10 has a 5G version with the Snapdragon X55 modem, consider me gone. Apple is simply too lazy, too entitled and too disingenuous to keep me around.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...
iPhone 15 Pro Fingerprints

Apple Says Fingerprints Can 'Temporarily Alter the Color' of iPhone 15 Pro's Titanium Frame

Thursday September 21, 2023 2:48 pm PDT by
In a support document updated today, Apple indicates that fingerprints might "temporarily alter the color" of the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Fortunately, Apple says this is not a permanent condition, as the fingerprints can be wiped off just like on any other iPhone to restore a clean finish. "For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the oil from your skin...