Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I just wonder how Apple will spin their phone's cellular capabilities this year with so many people knowing that the Intel modems aren't great.

Or just do as they always do: it's X times better than last year's device.

Outside of nerds and nerd websites, Average Jane/Joe has no clue what a modem is, let alone what modem is in their device. Sure, tech press can have a field day, but most of the world will not notice, know, care.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rogifan
This finally settle all those comments that insist Apple getting their own Modem in 2021 or 2022, despite explaning and giving all the evidence.

It was strange though that Murphy was involved, as all the way up to late 2016 it was Aicha Evans that was in charge for Modem.

I wish they could stop telling us all these Intel Modem stories, having yet another Intel modem in 2019 iPhone just when I need to upgrade doesn't make me feel good at all.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ROGmaster
Oh, so Qualcomm doesn’t license anything themselves now? Given the last 40+ years of tech I find that hard to believe.

Qualcomm licenses their patents (they are required to under FRAND) and part of Apple's settlement with them was the repayment of the outstanding licensing fees Apple and it's suppliers owed as well as re-pricing them to a level more favorable to Apple (and I have read that once Apple becomes their own modem manufacturer, FRAND will lower those license fees even more).
 
I just wonder how Apple will spin their phone's cellular capabilities this year with so many people knowing that the Intel modems aren't great.
They’ll emphasize how good they are at other things, which they are, until they contain QC modems next year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CarlJ
Qualcomm licenses their patents (they are required to under FRAND) and part of Apple's settlement with them was the repayment of the outstanding licensing fees Apple and it's suppliers owed as well as re-pricing them to a level more favorable to Apple (and I have read that once Apple becomes their own modem manufacturer, FRAND will lower those license fees even more).
But is Qualcomm the end all and be all of ALL the varied technologies and processes that go into making a cellular modem? I don’t believe that’s the case. Technology IP is a vast network of patents that have to be stitched together to make certain products.
 
Your words, not mine. As I said, any patents Apple needs are available for license. Reading is hard :rolleyes:
Again, Qualcomm is the only IP holder for everything that goes into making a modem? Just because they have made a deal with Qualcomm does not mean they have the totality of what’s required.
 
But is Qualcomm the end all and be all of ALL the varied technologies and processes that go into making a cellular modem? I don’t believe that’s the case. Technology IP is a vast network of patents that have to be stitched together to make certain products.

That I cannot say, but they do own the majority of those patents. Intel had the same licensing deal with them to build their family of modems that Apple now does and I presume other cellular modem manufacturers do, as well.
 
That I cannot say, but they do own the majority of those patents. Intel had the same licensing deal with them to build their family of modems that Apple now does and I presume other cellular modem manufacturers do, as well.
But that’s what I’m getting at, there are other patent holders in this field. Signing a deal with just Qualcomm doesn’t mean the field is completely clear for Apple to proceed. Intel already had a sizable portfolio pertaining to modems, Apple already has some too, but there’s far more to chip building than just one company’s licensing deal. Hell, even the process of physically making a chip is an IP hellscape, regardless of the technology built into it.
 
What is wrong with Intel? I feel like it's seriously a company with a totally wrong vision (maybe I am wrong here) - but the future is mobile. Once iPads begin running a hybrid if iOS and Mac OS on A series chips, and Androids begin dual booting Chrome OS and Android Mobile OS... they are DONE. And I think we are a LOT closer to this happening then most people think.
What do you think all the servers that mobile apps talk to run on?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jase1125
It will take a few years but is not something Apple can't do, considering they are hiring (and hired in the past) people with expertise on the matter.
I bet they regret having waited too long to start the development of their own modem now that they were forced to make a deal with Qualcomm. They even had Intel inferior modems for a while and that was bad for the customers.
 
Pretty much proves the Intel modem in the Xs Max is inferior to the qualcomm modem in the X. Too bad we are stuck with the crappy Intel modem for one more cycle.

That is why I wish Apple would revert back to X16 used in iPhone X rather than sticking with Intel again. Since they have tested X16 already.

Edit. This got me to check, apparently there is nothing ( as far as I can see ) X16 cant do compare to the XS's 7550. Gigabit-class LTE , 4x4 MIMO, LAA, DSDS.
 
That is why I do not understand why some people thought Apple could easily develop a modem (like poof! magically) and deliver the best performance that somehow is able to beat Qualcomm's? This is call pure fanboy-ism

This, and be abled to do it in two years. It wasn't until recent years I got to understand why some people absolutely loathe Apple and its users.
 
As an end user, I'm perfectly happy to ignore 5G for now. It's not going to make my life appreciably better.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.