iPhone 13 Lineup Expected to Use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X60 Modem With Several 5G Improvements

[techwhiz]

They bought the intel modem business because they wanted to make their own modems. Not because they wanted to put the same crap intel was making into their phones. If they did, they wouldn't have reverted back to Qualcomm. Whenever Apple puts in their own modem, I'd be surprised if it wasn't superior to Qualcomm just like their mobile processors are superior to Qualcomm in every way. Or do we still underestimate the advantages of building the hardware and software in the same building?

So their modem will not be superior to Qualcomm, since they are way behind.
Also their processors are not superior to Qualcomm in every way.
Qualcomm integrates modems in roughly every other processor release so the SD888 will have the equivalent of the X60 modern, so how is Apple superior in every way? Be careful when you make those statements.

Also take a look at the following chart.
The SD888 beats the A14 in multiple areas.

Snapdragon 888 vs A14 Bionic: tests and benchmarks

We put Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 against Apple A14 Bionic to find out which SoC is better. See performance comparison in benchmarks and games.

nanoreview.net

 

[JPack]

Having 5nm Modem should help a little bit offset the 120Hz screen battery tax.

I wouldn't count on that.

Samsung's 5nm process in terms of power and density is closer to TSMC's 7nm. But in terms of marketing, they are the same. 😄

There was news last year Samsung lowered the price of 5nm to solicit Qualcomm.

 

[tongxinshe]

So Apple is left behind again? Why cannot Apple get X65 while some Android phones do at the same time?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

So Apple is left behind again? Why cannot Apple get X65 while some Android phones do at the same time?

Because it was unveiled 2 weeks ago and Apple's design is likely frozen already or at the very least too far along to put in a brand new modem.

 

[jz0309]

So Apple is left behind again? Why cannot Apple get X65 while some Android phones do at the same time?

the X65 was announced 2 weeks ago "and currently sampling" ... Apple typically gets samples in December at the latest and picks their HW pieces in January. Besides that, if you want to provide the volumes that Apple needs for launch, you will have to have tarted (risk) production, I don't think QCOM is quite there yet ... and most likely, the Android phones will be lower volume ones ...

 

[bobenhaus]

Samsung and Qualcomm is doing great things for Apple.

Yeah these companies really know how to innovate. Makes Apple look good.

 

[entropys]

I'm in the minority of people who appreciate a smaller phone but I didn't get the iPhone 12 mini due to its battery life. With this new 5G modem I'm hoping the iPhone 13 mini will have an improved battery life. That would make it a certain buy for me.

For goodness sake. It’s battery life is right in the middle between an iPhone 8 and an iPhone 12. As in two hours more continuous video than an iPhone 8. The iphone 13 mini, if there is one, will have the same 15 hour continuous video as the 12 mini.

I have not had any battery life problems with my mini.

 

[JPack]

For goodness sake. It’s battery life is right in the middle between an iPhone 8 and an iPhone 12. As in two hours more continuous video than an iPhone 8. The iphone 13 mini, if there is one, will have the same 15 hour continuous video as the 12 mini.

I have not had any battery life problems with my mini.

The issue is iPhone 8/SE has a ridiculously small battery, smaller iPhone 7. So beating the iPhone 8 isn't a big deal.

iPhone 7 - 7.45 Whr
iPhone 8/SE - 6.96 Whr
iPhone 12 mini - 8.57 Whr

iPhone 12/Pro has a 10.78 Whr battery, comparable to the XR's 11.16.

 

[Babygotfont]

Best chips ever. Thx Qualcomm YOU make the iPhone great!

again

 

[Zorori]

Also take a look at the following chart.
The SD888 beats the A14 in multiple areas.

Snapdragon 888 vs A14 Bionic: tests and benchmarks

We put Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 against Apple A14 Bionic to find out which SoC is better. See performance comparison in benchmarks and games.

nanoreview.net

Mmm... I see the A14 beating the SD888 in all but one performance category? Where are these multiple areas? Unless you're counting random specs off the sheet, which don't really mean anything.

The issue is iPhone 8/SE has a ridiculously small battery, smaller iPhone 7. So beating the iPhone 8 isn't a big deal.

iPhone 7 - 7.45 Whr
iPhone 8/SE - 6.96 Whr
iPhone 12 mini - 8.57 Whr

iPhone 12/Pro has a 10.78 Whr battery, comparable to the XR's 11.16.

Lets be fair, it also beats the X and XS. The only phones it loses out to are the 11 and 12, which have the best battery life of any iPhones. The video tests I have show it being essentially the same as the XR in tests e.g. the XR having 1% battery and dying moments later.

The mini complaint is like a user with an Intel MacBook claiming the M1 MacBook Air battery life is terrible because the Pro is better.

 

[macgician]

So the iPhone 13 gets the X60 modem and the iPhone 14 gets the much better X65 modem - so now we got to wait for iPhone 14

iPhone 14 may get apple's own modem, or at least some models.

 

[falkon-engine]

Apple needs to also implement Qualcomm's under-display finger print sensor, given that mask wearing under covid kinda renders face id inoperable half the time.

 

[darngooddesign]

So the iPhone 13 gets the X60 modem and the iPhone 14 gets the much better X65 modem - so now we got to wait for iPhone 14

Better wait for the iPhone 15, it will be even better.

 

[mackinmike]

5g is over-rated. Big whoop

 

[technole]

Qualcomm holds more wireless IP than any other company. That's absolutely true. But it's because they invented it. The licensing business is profitable for the company, but the bulk of its revenue does not come from licensing; it comes from selling mobile processors, modems, internet of things solutions, robotics, connected car systems... Not patent royalties.

Yep, they did invent CDMA after all, even though it's run is nearing the end they have always been on-top of their game on IP and again with 5G. I imagine their royalty per iPhone must be around $10 because of the new agreement, back during the lawsuit Jeff Williams said they were at $7.50.

While I'm still wondering what is the reason Apple wants their own modem, this could be just like everything else they do, having in-house made chips does cut costs down, along with having full control of the software and hardware. Plus the Qualcomm contract is for 6-years, so there is that aspect of will they end up renewing for chips, or just getting a patent and royalty agreement, which is probably much less in cost. Either way, it's likely Qualcomm will still be in the picture somehow.

 

[anthogag]

It could be cool if iPhone 13 had the nano anti-glare screen treatment from Pro Display. Would it do the job?

 

[apple404]

So their modem will not be superior to Qualcomm, since they are way behind.
Also their processors are not superior to Qualcomm in every way.
Qualcomm integrates modems in roughly every other processor release so the SD888 will have the equivalent of the X60 modern, so how is Apple superior in every way? Be careful when you make those statements.

Also take a look at the following chart.
The SD888 beats the A14 in multiple areas.

Snapdragon 888 vs A14 Bionic: tests and benchmarks

We put Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 against Apple A14 Bionic to find out which SoC is better. See performance comparison in benchmarks and games.

nanoreview.net

It's interesting that the A14 beats the snapdragon in every single test except for Antutu, which has been said by the creators to not be cross platform. https://www.antutu.com/en/doc/119646.htm

 

[MacBH928]

I got SE 2020 which I think has the Intel modems. I don't see anything wrong with it, why is every so amazed by Qualcomm?

 

[BigMac?]

good, as expected ... and also good to see its Samsung as TSMC does not have the capacity in 5nm right now ...

Exactl, we need the 5nm capacity for M1X ...

 

[BigMac?]

1950s phones sounded FAR FAR better. Non compressed, essentially zero latency. Phone calls were a pleasure and society was better for it. The last generation of analog cellular phones in the early 2000s were even better... almost better than being in the room as they also had no latency but up to 12,000 Hz frequency response.

Today phone calls are a chore, one of the main reasons texting took over - better than saying “what” all the time.

Sigh

Absolutely, phonecalls used to be of better quality.
best part of it is hanging in the Apple service hotline chime with rusty melody.

 

[quarkysg]

While I'm still wondering what is the reason Apple wants their own modem, this could be just like everything else they do

Integrating the cellular modem into the Ax SoC would result in smaller logic boards, and likely improve energy efficiency. That means more space for other stuffs, like a bigger battery or ever thinner device.

Apple also like to control their product's core tech.

 

[BigMac?]

So their modem will not be superior to Qualcomm, since they are way behind.
Also their processors are not superior to Qualcomm in every way.
Qualcomm integrates modems in roughly every other processor release so the SD888 will have the equivalent of the X60 modern, so how is Apple superior in every way? Be careful when you make those statements.

Also take a look at the following chart.
The SD888 beats the A14 in multiple areas.

Snapdragon 888 vs A14 Bionic: tests and benchmarks

We put Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 against Apple A14 Bionic to find out which SoC is better. See performance comparison in benchmarks and games.

nanoreview.net

In your own linked test, A14 wins in all but batterylife.
I’m pretty sure Apple will include some kind of special features we didn‘t we needed but ends up being pretty great.

truth is, the sd888 with the x1 core ist a clear improvemen.

on the >5-7 watts category, Apple ist pretty overdominant.

 

[ksec]

While I'm still wondering what is the reason Apple wants their own modem, this could be just like everything else they do, having in-house made chips does cut costs down, along with having full control of the software and hardware. Plus the Qualcomm contract is for 6-years, so there is that aspect of will they end up renewing for chips, or just getting a patent and royalty agreement, which is probably much less in cost. Either way, it's likely Qualcomm will still be in the picture somehow.

Apple somehow thinks they are paying too much to Qualcomm, although all evidence shown in court seems to heavily flavours Qualcomm and it was Apple being unreasonable. Judging that from IMG and Dialog I am not surprised.

Apple could save around $20+ per Chip. With the on-going Development cost being deducted from R&D.

You cant escape Qualcomm if you are using 4G or 5G. So Qualcomm will *always* be in the picture.

 

[Abstract]

I'm in the minority of people who appreciate a smaller phone but I didn't get the iPhone 12 mini due to its battery life. With this new 5G modem I'm hoping the iPhone 13 mini will have an improved battery life. That would make it a certain buy for me.

Me too.

I bought a Mini for my wife because she needed a new phone, but I waited because my XR still works. However, I would have bought the 12 Mini if battery life was a bit better.

 

[TroyBoy30]

wait....the new phone will have a new chip? OMG now thats news!