A new report claims Apple has notified Intel that it will not use the chipmaker’s radio chips in its 2020 iPhones. It goes on to say that as Apple was the primary customer for the combined 5G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, Intel has now halted development of the product and disbanded the team working on it …
CTech cites both multiple sources and internal documents.
Update: Intel has denied CTech’s claim that it has abandoned work on the product:
Apple historically used Qualcomm radio chips, but its long-running dispute with the company resulting in multiple lawsuits had the iPhone maker looking elsewhere. Intel is expected to supply the bulk of the chips for this year’s iPhones, though it’s believed that Apple will still have to rely on Qualcomm for part of its supply.
It was reported a few days ago that MediaTek was angling for Apple modem orders, possibly for 2020 devices. The chips concerned are 5G-ready, a technology Apple may not adopt next year given that rollout of the next-generation mobile data standard is still likely to be limited then. Large-scale rollout of 5G isn’t expected to happen before 2020, and Apple tends to be a relatively late adopter of new standards.
Intel reportedly hasn’t given up hope of winning further Apple business, however: the company is said to be hoping to pitch 5G chips to Apple for its 2022 devices.
