Intel and Qualcomm will both produce the iPhone 7’s LTE modem chip, NDTV reports. According to CLSA Securities analyst Srini Pajjuri, Intel has secured a “significant portion” of modem orders for Apple’s next generation iPhone 7. Citing sources in the supply chain, Pajjuri claims Intel will produce 30 to 40 percent of the next iPhone’s modem chips. Qualcomm is currently Apple’s only cellular modem manufacturer. However, Pajjuri predicts Apple will “share shift back” to Qualcomm in 2017.
Rumors that Apple would strike a deal with Intel for the iPhone 7 started last year. Venturebeat reported Intel had a “small army of people” of 1000 employees working on an upgraded LTE modem chip. The chip Intel supposedly has planned for the iPhone 7 is the XMM 7360, which boasts download speeds of 450Mbps and upload speeds of 100Mbps. Qualcomm would use a newer modem for the iPhone 7, most likely the MDM9645, which tops Intel’s download and upload speeds. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus use Qualcomm’s MDM9635 modem, which has a download speed of 300Mbps and uplink speed of 50Mbps.
Last year’s reports suggested Apple would reserve Intel’s chip for developing markets in Latin America, but Pajjuri didn’t speak on how Apple plans to roll out Qualcomm’s modem. Apple has been interested in making a native system-on-a-chip to include an A-series processor and an LTE modem for quite some time. The upgrade would increase speed and power efficiency on the iPhone 7. The partnership with Intel suggests Apple may be considering asking Intel to help build the long-rumored universal chip.
Alongside a faster processor and better Wi-Fi, the iPhone 7 is believed to have a dual-lens camera, wireless charging technology and a new stereo speaker. A lightning port is rumored to replace the 3.5mm headphone jack. To make up for the traditional headphone jack, Apple may pair the iPhone 7 ‘Pro’ with detachable hybrid EarPods. The iPhone 7 isn’t expected until Fall 2016, although Tim Cook plans to unveil the iPhone 5SE at Apple’s March event later this month.
