Apple might not be able to drop Qualcomm as a supplier this year
Intel is still not ready to take over Qualcomm as the main supplier of radio modems for the iPhone.
Image source: Intel
While earlier reports suggest that Apple is dropping Qualcomm entirely from the iPhone and the iPad this year, it might not be so soon after all.
According to Fast Company's source, Intel is expected to supply 70% of the modem chips for the new iPhone models this year and is on track to deliver 100% of the modems for the 2019 iPhone lineup.
Considering this year is the first time that Intel is fabricating its own modem chips using the 14nm process, Apple is taking a wait-and-see approach; Qualcomm is poised to make up the remaining balance of 30%.
The source added that Intel's yield rates are below expectations, which means Qualcomm could deliver beyond 30%. However, Intel engineers are reportedly confident in ironing out the issues and ramping up the yield rates when mass production starts in June/July. If they succeeds, Intel could also deliver more than 70% of the orders.
Fast Company reported in November 2017 that Apple is working with Intel on 5G modems for future iPhone models. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Intel radio modems could enable dual-SIM and dual standby features in two of three iPhone models this year.
Source: Fast Company
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