Apple's own 5G modem expected to land as soon as 2022
Apple will be producing a 5G iPhone by 2020, TF International Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo believes, but Apple could complete development of its own 5G modem and do without Qualcomm's version by 2022 or 2023.
Qualcomm's 5G hardware
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that while Apple's first 5G iPhones will have a Qualcomm modem. Kuo suggests that Apple's 5G modem could launch in an iPhone in 2022 or 2023.
"We believe that the content of Apple and Qualcomm's previous settlement includes Qualcomm's release of partly 5G baseband chip source code to Apple for Apple's development of its own 5G PA/FEM," Kuo writes.
For Qualcomm's modem, Apple is thought to use its self-designed power amplifier and front-end module, instead of Qualcomm's RF360 By using its own modified amplifier and module, Apple can lay the groundwork to more easily add its own version in a future update to the product line.
A two-year supply deal with Broadcom is thought to help by modifying the 4G power amplifier for 5G usage, as well as helping Apple develop the 5G baseband chip itself.
It is thought the 5G iPhone will support both sub-6GHz and frequencies above 6Ghz, due to the US being Apple's home market. The mainstream technology for 5G in the United States is said to be mmWave, which would require the higher-than-6GHz frequencies to be supported, making a sub-6GHz-only iPhone unlikely.
For the 2020 iPhones, Kuo thinks they will consist of a high-end 6.7-inch OLED model along with a 5.4-inch OLED and low-end 6.1-inch OLED version. Of the three, the 6.7-inch and 5.4-inch will likely support 5G while the third will stick to 4G technologies.
Qualcomm's 5G hardware
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that while Apple's first 5G iPhones will have a Qualcomm modem. Kuo suggests that Apple's 5G modem could launch in an iPhone in 2022 or 2023.
"We believe that the content of Apple and Qualcomm's previous settlement includes Qualcomm's release of partly 5G baseband chip source code to Apple for Apple's development of its own 5G PA/FEM," Kuo writes.
For Qualcomm's modem, Apple is thought to use its self-designed power amplifier and front-end module, instead of Qualcomm's RF360 By using its own modified amplifier and module, Apple can lay the groundwork to more easily add its own version in a future update to the product line.
A two-year supply deal with Broadcom is thought to help by modifying the 4G power amplifier for 5G usage, as well as helping Apple develop the 5G baseband chip itself.
It is thought the 5G iPhone will support both sub-6GHz and frequencies above 6Ghz, due to the US being Apple's home market. The mainstream technology for 5G in the United States is said to be mmWave, which would require the higher-than-6GHz frequencies to be supported, making a sub-6GHz-only iPhone unlikely.
For the 2020 iPhones, Kuo thinks they will consist of a high-end 6.7-inch OLED model along with a 5.4-inch OLED and low-end 6.1-inch OLED version. Of the three, the 6.7-inch and 5.4-inch will likely support 5G while the third will stick to 4G technologies.
Comments
I'll want to get the last iPhone with a QCOM 5G modem in it and stick with it while Apple works out the bugs.
You guys can beta test for AAPL.
1. How much the customers of Apple’s Android competitors are enjoying 5G on their 5G-enabled smartphones all over the world.
2. The increased sales of and/or interest in the Android 5G-enabled smartphones.
3. The compelling 5G services Apple’s Android competitors are offering their customers around the world that Apple’s customers are missing out on.
4. Quotes from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon about how their customers are lining up to buy 5G-enabled Android smartphones from their physical and online stores.
5. Google Pixel 4’s support/non-support of 5G.
Why am I focusing on Android? AppleInsider doesn’t hesitate to repeatedly tell us Apple won’t have 5G in 2019, Apple will be late to 5G like it was late to other Gs, Apple will use Qualcomm’s 5G in 2020, Apple’s 5G will be ready in 2022, 2025, 2022, whatever Ming Kuo decides to announce next. (Wasn’t it Kuo who initially announced 2022 then 2025 and now again 2022 without any historical accountability for the changes from AppleInsider?)
There are always scientists somewhere holding all sorts of interesting positions, when a real scienctist should have disinterest. This lot are activists.
If I was buying an android phone right now I would want one with 5G. It would have better resale when the time comes. It also means I won’t buy a new iPhone until 2020
I think the best use of 5G at present and for the next few years is home broadband where there isn’t a fibre or cable landline.
If I as in the market for one now I would go the 5G model. I would have it a couple of years and then want to sell it in an established 5G market. Same applies to iPhone though. No new iPhones in our house for at least 18 months.
Pixel is a reference phone is it not?
...but it has ultra low latency so you can do remote robotic surgery or remotely drive your car with your iPhone!
Is this true? Nothing I've read has clearly stated whether this will be the case or not. My understanding of 5G is that part of the technology involves speeding signals across the frequency spectrum, including the 4G frequencies, so it's conceivable that it will make it worse.
This is another reason I'm not jumping at the gun to get 5G. The mobile industry has a long history of overpromising and underdelivering. I have no doubt that 5G will eventually be an improvement over 4G, but it will be a while, with a lot of fits and starts in the mean time.
Given the lack of modem manufacturers selling 5G chips and the fact that it's Apple's first foray, I think it's safe to assume that the first gen chip is not going to be the one you want. Of course, Qualcomm's 2nd and 3rd gen chips have historically significantly better than their first gen chips, too.