But after Apple scooped up Intel’s smartphone
modem business scraps, reliance on Qualcomm
isn’t part of Apple’s long-term plans. But the
X60 shows that Qualcomm doesn’t see that path
as an inevitability. By jumping to 5nm with the
third-generation of its 5G modem, Qualcomm is
delivering a smaller and more efficient modem,
which just happens to be the very reasons why
Apple would build its own modem in the first place.
A smaller, more efficient modem would help Apple
keep the iPhone thin without sacrificing battery life.
There’s also the issue of the antenna. A recent
report from Fast Company detailed Apple’s efforts
to design its own antenna for the iPhone 12 after
rejecting the QTM525 5G mmWave antenna moduleThe X60 modem is
expected to make its
way into Android phones
and iPhones in 2021ButafterApplescoopedupIntel’ssmartphone
modembusinessscraps,relianceonQualcomm
isn’tpartofApple’slong-termplans.Butthe
X60showsthat Qualcommdoesn’tseethatpath
asaninevitability.Byjumpingto5nmwiththe
third-generationofits5Gmodem,Qualcommis
deliveringa smallerandmoreefficientmodem,
whichjusthappenstobetheveryreasonswhy
Applewouldbuilditsownmodeminthefirstplace.
Asmaller,moreefficientmodemwouldhelp Apple
keep theiPhonethin withoutsacrificingbatterylife.
There’salsotheissueoftheantenna.Arecent
reportfromFastCompanydetailedApple’sefforts
todesignitsownantennafortheiPhone 12 after
rejecting theQTM5255GmmWaveantennamoduleThe X60 modem is
expected to make its
way into Android phones
and iPhones in 2021