Apple AAPL -0.12% is looking to double the download speed in its next next iPhone. The Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant will be equipping the next version of the iPhone with Qualcomm's QCOM +0.32% MDM9635 LTE modem, according to a report today from the reliable Apple soothsayer, Mark Gurman.

Qualcomm says its latest modem technology has download rates of 300 megabits per second ¡ª double the rate the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were able to achieve with Qualcomm¡¯s MDM9625 LTE modem. The new modem has the same upload speeds of 50 Mbps, though.

But these numbers can be a bit theoretical. Getting 300 Mbps will depend on the network, and expert say it¡¯s more likely users will see downloads speeds of about 200 Mbps ¡ª if they¡¯re lucky. ¡°You¡¯re never going to have a completely optimal situation that allows for 300 Mbps,¡± said Jim McGregor, the founder and principal analyst at Tirias Research. ¡°Users will maybe get a 10% to 20% performance boost, but it will be noticeable.¡±

In addition to the data rate performance boost, the new chip is smaller and uses less power. It is manufactured with 20 nanometer processor technology, compared with the previous generation¡¯s 28 nanometer size. This could free up space for Apple to pack in lots of other internal components, including potentially a bigger battery.

This latest Qualcomm modem is part of what the San Diego chipmaker calls its ¡°9¡Á35¡å Gobi family of modems, which was first released in late 2013. The modem didn¡¯t start appearing in phones, however, until last year with the Samsung Galaxy S5, which paired the modem with Qualcomm¡¯s Snapdragon 805 processor.

Qualcomm has been a longtime provider of cellular modem chip for Apple¡¯s smartphones. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus contained five Qualcomm chips. Qualcomm has been selling its 3G/4G modems to Apple since the iPhone 4.

In contrast to Apple, Samsung has been increasingly using its own silicon in its flagship Galaxy phones recently, including its own modems. The Galaxy S6, for example, has been using its own modems with certain U.S. carriers. (But not for the Verizon network, which still uses Qualcomm modems.) This has been hurting Qualcomm¡¯s bottom line.

¡°There¡¯s been rumors about whether Apple will be developing its own modem technology and designing out Qualcomm like Samsung did, but it¡¯s not an easy thing to do,¡± said McGregor. ¡°Qualcomm has a 12 to 18 month lead in modem technology. When selling premium products like Apple, companies want the best technology. Samsung went with their own on the last Galaxy phones, and it hurt their performance.¡±

In benchmarks tests performed by Moor Insights & Strategy, Samsung Galaxy S6 phones equipped with Qualcomm modems saw a 12% performance boost in battery life over versions using Samsung modems.

Some reports suggests that Apple will be using modems made by Intel for some future international versions of the iPhone. For the past few years, Intel INTC +1.24% has been desperately trying to find its way into the smartphone business and it has shown it¡¯s willing to lose billions in the process. It¡¯s possible that the company will try to interfere in Qualcomm relationship with Apple.

¡°It¡¯s hard to be an Apple supplier,¡± said McGregor. ¡°Apple is just like Walmart in that when working with a player who has a major position in an industry, they really beat you up on price.¡±

By: DocMemory
Copyright © 2023 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved