14 DAY TRIAL // The settlement between Apple and Qualcomm which includes a chip supply agreement, means a 5G iPhone is all but confirmed, and sources familiar with the matter reveal the work on the project has already started.
Apple and Qualcomm today decided to give up on their patent disputes and sign several agreements, including one that directly concerns the iPhone modems.
Qualcomm will supply the modems for future-generation iPhones, and with Intel giving up on 5G chips, it’s pretty clear who will power the very first 5G iPhone.
What’s still an enigma, however, is the launch date, as people familiar with Apple’s development plans previously said that an Intel chip would have pushed a 5G iPhone to 2020 or even 2021.
5G iPhone coming next year
Now according to a report from the Nikkei Asian Review, Apple is already testing Qualcomm’s 5G modems internally, and it’s believed that the target is 2020.
The 2019 iPhone generation is already in an advanced development stage, and it’s unlikely to get 5G support. However, Apple has prepared several big upgrades for the 2020 lineup, and a 5G modem is likely to be included.
The 2020 iPhone would come with OLED screens exclusively, so this year’s launch will be the last one to bring us an LCD iPhone XR.
“It is too late for Apple to use Qualcomm's chips this year, but for 2020 it will purchase modem chips, including 5G modem chips, from the chipmaker for iPhones after finalizing the deal,” the aforementioned source cites people with knowledge of the matter as saying.
Intel’s failure to develop a 5G modem faster is believed to be one of the reasons behind Apple’s decision to reach a settlement with Qualcomm. Intel originally planned to finalize the 5G modem next year, but analysts believed this was rather unlikely, predicting a 5G iPhone in 2021.
“Apple had been a little concerned whether a sole supplier for modems could affect the company's plan to introduce its first 5G smartphone next year,” an unnamed source told the same publication.
Apple hasn’t officially announced a 5G iPhone, but judging from all the latest announcements, there’s no doubt Cupertino wants to make it happen as soon as possible.