iPhone 12 Models Use Qualcomm's X55 Modem

Apple's iPhone 12 lineup appears to be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 modem, which is in line with rumors that we heard about the new devices prior to their launch.

qualcommx55
An iPhone 12 teardown video on Chinese social networking site Weibo gives a close look at the L-shaped logic board and the modem chip.

The X55 offers support for both 5G mmWave networks and 5G Sub-6GHz networks, along with 5G/4G spectrum sharing, and it is Qualcomm's second-generation 5G chip after the X50.

Reports in 2019 indicated Apple would use the X55 modem in its ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup, and at the time, the X55 was Qualcomm's fastest and newest 5G modem. Qualcomm in February 2020 introduced the X60 modem built on a 5-nanometer process, which is more power efficient than the 7-nanometer X55.

There was some speculation that Apple could adopt the X60 for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup, but the X60 likely came out too late in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 development process to be considered for the new devices.

Next year's iPhones will likely use the Snapdragon X60 modem from Qualcomm, which is the third-generation 5G modem chip that Qualcomm has manufactured. It will bring notable performance improvements in terms of battery draw, component size, and connectivity speed because it offers carrier aggregation for combined mmWave and sub-6GHz networks.

Apple used Intel chips for the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup, but switched back to Qualcomm's technology for this year's lineup after it became clear that Intel would not be able to provide the 5G modem chip capabilities Apple needed for its devices. Apple settled a long-running legal battle with Qualcomm to get access to Qualcomm's chip technology.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

metalsiren Avatar
45 months ago
as long as its not Intel, I am fine :).

god I hate the intel radios.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Delorean2006 Avatar
45 months ago
So happy they’re back to Qualcomm. I don’t care if it’s not the newest gen, I’m sure the x55 is better than any of the intel crap we’ve had over the past couple years.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Metrosey Avatar
45 months ago

It’s a shame they couldn’t get the x69 for the 12. It sounds like it could help a bit with 5G power draw.
I think the x69 is a bit busy ;)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
45 months ago
Atleast it’s a QUALCOMM!!!

This is Qualcomm Era! Welcome ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mofoliar Avatar
45 months ago
Sure wish the SE would had Qualcomm instead of Intel, so my times I have put into airplane mode to bring it back to life?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7thson Avatar
45 months ago
This is honestly the biggest reason to upgrade from my XS. My job takes me to remote edges of cellular service and the difference between Qualcomm phones (i.e. Android) and iPhones reception is significant. Like being able to actually use your device vs not. Still I might just hang on to the XS another year and wait for the next iteration of iPhones with the x60.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
apple wallet drivers license feature

Apple Said iPhone Driver's Licenses Would Expand to These 8 U.S. States… Two Years Ago

Thursday March 14, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
In just four U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues. Adoption of the feature has been slow since Apple first announced it in September 2021, with IDs in the Wallet app only available in Arizona,...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
OLED iPad Air

iPad Air Next on Apple's OLED Tablet Roadmap Following iPad Pro

Friday March 15, 2024 3:30 am PDT by
The iPad Air will be the next Apple tablet to adopt OLED display panel technology following its upcoming OLED iPad Pro models, according to an updated forecast from research firm Omdia (via The Elec). "In 2028, we expect the iPad Air to go OLED as well, with the iPad Air using single-stack and the iPad Pro using two-stack tandem OLEDs," said Omdia researcher Kang Min-soo, speaking on...
Walmart MacBook Air M1

Walmart Begins Selling MacBook Air With M1 Chip for $699 in U.S.

Friday March 15, 2024 6:57 am PDT by
Walmart today announced that it has started selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in the U.S., with pricing set at a very reasonable $699. The laptop can be ordered now on Walmart.com, and it will be available soon at select Walmart stores. This is the first time that customers can purchase a Mac that is sold directly by Walmart, the company said in a press release. Some other retailers...