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Intel will be the chief supplier of wireless modem chips for a future Apple iPhone, a new report reveals.
According to VentureBeat, which cites sources with insider knowledge, the chips will debut in an Apple handset due for release in 2016, most likely the iPhone 7.
The chip in question will be Intel’s new 7360 LTE modem, a consequence of Intel apparently ‘gunning hard for the past year’ for a place in the iPhone.
Interestingly, the report claims the iPhone carrying the chip will only be marketed to emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.
The 7360 chip is good for 450mbps of download speed, and supports Cat 9/10 LTE carrier aggregation.
According to analysts speaking to the website, the chip has ‘impressed phone makers for being well-built, power-efficient, and fast.’
Apple engineers have reportedly visited Munich regularly to visit Intel’s development facility.
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The Cupertino-based company originally sourced its modem chips for the iPhone from Infineon. After Infineon was bought out by Intel, however, Apple switch to Qualcomm.
The sources purportedly claimed Apple and Qualcomm have an ‘uneasy relationship’, with a second supplier source for modems giving Apple ‘the upper hand in the relationship’.
Landing a supply deal with Apple would be a major coup for Intel, especially as the company now sees providing chips for the devices as a ‘major initiative’.
Unfortunately, the sources said the deal could be scuppered if Intel misses key deadlines.
Apple has made no public statements on the matter.