Reality says otherwise, as Apple was already using Intel chips in place of Qualcomm's for designs Intel was able to successfully deliver, meaning Apple would've happily used a 5G chip from Intel as well. And Apple wound up paying Qualcomm's high license fees anyway as part of their settlement, so why did Apple settle and accept those fees if not because Intel couldn't deliver on a 5G chipset, if it was only about licensing fees as you say?
Apple would use chips from ANYONE who could provide them. Intel, Qualcomm or Samsung. The lawsuit doesn’t change that one bit. Apple could have continued the trial, won their case and got reduced licensing fees, and turned around the next day and signed a new agreement to use Qualcomm 5G modems. Or they could have lost their case and still turned around and used Qualcomm 5G modems.
Apple was under ZERO PRESSURE to settle. They ALWAYS had the option to use Qualcomm 5G modems. The only reason to settle would be if they reached a favorable agreement in line with what they were suing for (different licensing fees).
Apple paid Qualcomm’s “high licensing fees”. I’m calling this statement an outright lie, unless you can provide us with details about how much they settled for. So you have such information? Please do tell.