Qualcomm vs Intel chip. A bigger deal then you think.

[840quadra]

@Gooberton, You are forgetting one thing , The intel chips are also a year newer in this generation of phones as compared to your 7. Using Same sim, tested in the same location, my Intel iPhone 7 is markedly slower than my Intel iPhone X and Pixel 2.

I just ran a series of tests using the same SIM card within a few of my devices all relatively near the same times. The results below are an average after 4 tests all taken 5 Minutes after they were rebooted, from there I shut down wifi in settings on all devices, then launched Speed test using Cellular networks.

I would have loved to have tested a Qualcomm version of the X here at home, but I don't have access to one. I doubt though, that it would be much faster than my Pixel 2, unless they do some crazy antenna Yoga in that device .

@Starfyre those charts are great, but testing devices at peoples individual location, with their tower access is going to speak more volumes than a magazine test. It doesn't matter which modem is faster, if the service I am trying to use is garbage at my location. Additionally, they hadn't tested the iPhone X when that chart was made. The Assembly of the iPhone X is different than the other iOS devices, and perhaps uses more modern layout /antennas that help with speed / performance.

 

[macnmac]

just go make some animojis and it will more than make up for the difference...

 

[Gooberton]

This is just a ridiculous statement and you are attempting to stir the pot for some reason. Even IF there is a difference it is extremely minimal and would only impact a very small number of people overall. You and others here make it sound as if the Intel versions are not usable, which is utter nonsense.

I’m
Not stirring any pot, I know I was upset about the whole chip ordeal last year . I even returned my phone and saw a difference

 

[KingslayerG5]

^ These are all big deals for people. Paying $1000+ and not really being the best in any critical area. To some, it better be the best in areas if you are paying that much.

The anniversary iPhone doesn't always have to be the best. Anniversary and spelling it as X is great for marketing. We don't know the future and non-anniversary iPhones could be just as amazing when we see it and without the expectations and hype.

 

[Septembersrain]

This is why I still have a 7 Plus but use a V30 as a daily driver.

No matter what, the Intel is inferior. They don't even have CDMA capabilities or gigabit LTE.

So for those saying that they got bad quality with the Qualcomm, it's probably because they gimped it.

We all know that Apple will throttle or modify components to make them equal. We don't have to rehash the TSMC vs Samsung, different panel manufacturers, and all the other assorted "Apple lottery".

I went from 1-2 bars in my apartment to full bars on my V30. I'm sorry but my device is primarily used on data. I don't pay all this money for abysmal calls and data.

 

[stulaw11]

^ These are all big deals for people. Paying $1000+ and not really being the best in any critical area. To some, it better be the best in areas if you are paying that much.

The anniversary iPhone doesn't always have to be the best. Anniversary and spelling it as X is great for marketing. We don't know the future and non-anniversary iPhones could be just as amazing when we see it and without the expectations and hype.

Really, 27 minutes between the X and 8 Plus is what were complaining about now in the shreme of roughly 11 hours/666 minutes? A 4.08% worse battery?

I would rather say that incredibly impressive with how much smaller a device the X is than the Plus

The price irrelevant it's completely new tech in it costing more to produce. Looking at only 1 aspect is misleading at best. You could then always say Apple phones were overpriced vs the competition specs.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

Surprised no one else hit on this yet but while reading about Puerto Rico and AT&T getting some services restored, they enabled band 60. That band isn't available in many devices including the Qualcomm. AT&T is looking to enable band 60 in the USA and when it does, those with that capability will be at an advantage in those areas.

 

[deadworlds]

If anyone cares I found that iPhone X is using intels 4th generation model the xmm 7480.

I have had both version of iPhone 7 and can say that intel works best in my area.


https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/mobile-communications/xmm-7480-brief.html

 

[Superrjamz54]

Apple please start using one chip idc which one, it’s hard to hear about this every day

Tell Qualcomm to charge a single flat price for a chip and not a percentage based on the cost of the phone.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

This is why I still have a 7 Plus but use a V30 as a daily driver.

No matter what, the Intel is inferior. They don't even have CDMA capabilities or gigabit LTE.

So for those saying that they got bad quality with the Qualcomm, it's probably because they gimped it.

We all know that Apple will throttle or modify components to make them equal. We don't have to rehash the TSMC vs Samsung, different panel manufacturers, and all the other assorted "Apple lottery".

I went from 1-2 bars in my apartment to full bars on my V30. I'm sorry but my device is primarily used on data. I don't pay all this money for abysmal calls and data.

So you pick a terrible display instead? Sorry, had to.

 

[Gooberton]

So you pick a terrible display instead? Sorry, had to.

Do people switch daily and weekend ? Lol

 

[mcdj]

So is it a “bigger deal than you think” or is “the jury out”? It can’t be both.

This is going to be the same nonsense as the TSMC vs Samsung chip. People read something that says one is better than the other, then kick into panic/jealousy/entitlement mode over what amounts to a basically unknowable and incremental difference.

Thanks for being one of the people that help ensure the forum is clogged with this year’s bandwidth wasting pointless drivel. Enjoy your 30 seconds of feeling better about hurdling through space on a speck.

 

[Septembersrain]

So you pick a terrible display instead? Sorry, had to.

Looks okay to me. Blue if tilted in a way I'll never use my device. No banding or artifice problems. So far so good with no burn in issues.

Data, calls, band 71, headphone jack, very light weight, those are my pros.

Only con is the external speaker sucks.

 

[840quadra]

This is why I still have a 7 Plus but use a V30 as a daily driver.

No matter what, the Intel is inferior. They don't even have CDMA capabilities or gigabit LTE.

So for those saying that they got bad quality with the Qualcomm, it's probably because they gimped it.

We all know that Apple will throttle or modify components to make them equal. We don't have to rehash the TSMC vs Samsung, different panel manufacturers, and all the other assorted "Apple lottery".

I went from 1-2 bars in my apartment to full bars on my V30. I'm sorry but my device is primarily used on data. I don't pay all this money for abysmal calls and data.

I still need to do more tests, but I haven't seen much of a delta between my Pixel 2 and iPhone X with regards to data speeds and downloads so far.

I think the Intel chip in the X is a non issue for normal use.

 

[lordofthereef]

Unfortunately this is all just anecdotal evidence. My wife has a god awful iPhone 7 experience. It also had the intel chip. She now has the 8 with an Intel chip and her experience is night and day wonderful.

As reference she was thinking of getting an additional line on another network for work because she thought it was an issue with T-Mobile.

The bottom line is it’s impossible to say that the intel versus Qualcomm chips are what are betting you different results. You have completely different hardware between the two phones you’re experiencing the differences on.

 

[Septembersrain]

I still need to do more tests, but I haven't seen much of a delta between my Pixel 2 and iPhone X with regards to data speeds and downloads so far.

I think the Intel chip in the X is a non issue for normal use.

I borrowed a friends 7 Plus that was Verizon (Qualcomm) and it got 4+ bars in places where my Intel got 1-2. It was significant enough on T-Mobile. Especially where low signal lies. The Qualcomm held on when the Intel would drop to no service.

Perhaps the Intel now is improved for the 8/X but after my trouble, it's just not worth it.

Anyone else can buy whatever they want but I owned two 6s, one TSMC and one Samsung. Clones of each other and used exactly the same for two days, it was obvious the battery life difference. I don't like the fractured component lottery. That's just my opinion. YMMV.

 

[Gooberton]

So is it a “bigger deal than you think” or is “the jury out”? It can’t be both.

This is going to be the same nonsense as the TSMC vs Samsung chip. People read something that says one is better than the other, then kick into panic/jealousy/entitlement mode over what amounts to a basically unknowable and incremental difference.

Thanks for being one of the people that help ensure the forum is clogged with this year’s bandwidth wasting pointless drivel. Enjoy your 30 seconds of feeling better about hurdling through space on a speck.

Hurdling through space on a speck sound amazing

I meant the jury is out on battery life the other issues the verdict is in..
Intel, guilty as charged.

 

[mcdj]

Hurdling through space on a speck sound amazing

I meant the jury is out on battery life the other issues the verdict is in..
Intel, guilty as charged.

Ok, well I’m sure everyone will be joining you in the town square with their torches soon.

If you need me, I’ll be in the pub, on my Intel iPhone X, not caring.

 

[840quadra]

I borrowed a friends 7 Plus that was Verizon (Qualcomm) and it got 4+ bars in places where my Intel got 1-2. It was significant enough on T-Mobile. Especially where low signal lies. The Qualcomm held on when the Intel would drop to no service.

Perhaps the Intel now is improved for the 8/X but after my trouble, it's just not worth it.

Anyone else can buy whatever they want but I owned two 6s, one TSMC and one Samsung. Clones of each other and used exactly the same for two days, it was obvious the battery life difference. I don't like the fractured component lottery. That's just my opinion. YMMV.

Then why are you in this thread if you have decided the component lottery is fractured for your liking, and you are moving on from Apple? This is an iPhone forum after all.

Regarding your first post in this thread, you understand that the Intel modems not having CDMA is by design, right? It was a direct decision to exclude it, as to not pay Qualcomm royalties for CDMA bands that T-Mobile, and ATT phones don't need. Because (according to reports) Qualcomm is being inflexible regarding licensing, Apple decided to work with another partner for that solution.

I can't see that as a bad thing, despite the missteps of the 7 modems. After all, Apple did similar with their A-Series processors, from which, your year old 7 is likely going to benchmark nearly as fast (single core MUCH faster) than the Snapdragon in your brand new LG phone. It has yet to be proven, but I have faith that their collaberation with Intel has the potential to yield even faster modems than Qualcomm can offer.

This is a new device with new components. Apple (like LG, Samsung, etc) learn from past issues and improve. They also seem to learn fast, and have been good at developing silicon that best suits their needs.

 

[nanocustoms]

Not sure if this was linked yet but on reddit they are talking about this

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/79k7vr/iphone_x_qualcomm_vs_intel_battery_life_real/

I am picking up a 256 SG intel modem iPhone x and will compare it to my 256 SG Qualcomm (I got from target of all places yesterday at launch).
[doublepost=1509825959][/doublepost]The highlight is that the Qualcomm chip is using a smaller process (more transistors/efficiency), and they expect 30% better power consumption and overall better performance on the cell edge (between towers)

 

[Septembersrain]

Then why are you in this thread if you have decided the component lottery is fractured for your liking, and you are moving on from Apple? This is an iPhone forum after all.

Regarding your first post in this thread, you understand that the Intel modems not having CDMA is by design, right? It was a direct decision to exclude it, as to not pay Qualcomm royalties for CDMA bands that T-Mobile, and ATT phones don't need. Because (according to reports) Qualcomm is being inflexible regarding licensing, Apple decided to work with another partner for that solution.

I can't see that as a bad thing, despite the missteps of the 7 modems. After all, Apple did similar with their A-Series processors, from which, your year old 7 is likely going to benchmark nearly as fast (single core MUCH faster) than the Snapdragon in your brand new LG phone. It has yet to be proven, but I have faith that their collaberation with Intel has the potential to yield even faster modems than Qualcomm can offer.

This is a new device with new components. Apple (like LG, Samsung, etc) learn from past issues and improve. They also seem to learn fast, and have been good at developing silicon that best suits their needs.

I still have a 5c and 7 Plus. Also an iPad Pro 9.7. I'm still in the ecosystem but I'm also not biased. I use a Windows computer, android phone, iOS tablet. I buy based on needs, not brand.

So avoiding paying Qualcomm is still flipping the finger to the consumers. Not to mention if Intel did get inside information from Qualcomm as the new lawsuit is accusing? What then?

Qualcomm is being exactly as they agreed to. Apple decided not to pay. They agreed upon terms and Apple decided they wanted to charge consumers more but were pissed at Qualcomm for the same? Hypocrisy.

I don't care one bit about these benchmarks because it's not even running the same operating system. Apples to oranges there.

I didn't say I'd never buy another iPhone but right now, no. I won't.

I hope they'll develop their own hardware and simplify this issue.

 

[stulaw11]

Not sure if this was linked yet but on reddit they are talking about this

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/79k7vr/iphone_x_qualcomm_vs_intel_battery_life_real/

I am picking up a 256 SG intel modem iPhone x and will compare it to my 256 SG Qualcomm (I got from target of all places yesterday at launch).
[doublepost=1509825959][/doublepost]The highlight is that the Qualcomm chip is using a smaller process (more transistors/efficiency), and they expect 30% better power consumption and overall better performance on the cell edge (between towers)

All conjecture with zero facts or numbers to back any of the claims up. Same as here.

MY personal bet is there is more than a 1% battery percent difference, not noticeable outside margin of error, between the 2. You're talking incredibly small amounts of power differences even IF it were a 30% difference compared to overall battery usage at 2700 and change mah.

One is far more likely to see power usage fluctuations barbecue of signal strength than this small chip difference.

 

[840quadra]

I still have a 5c and 7 Plus. Also an iPad Pro 9.7. I'm still in the ecosystem but I'm also not biased. I use a Windows computer, android phone, iOS tablet. I buy based on needs, not brand.

So avoiding paying Qualcomm is still flipping the finger to the consumers. Not to mention if Intel did get inside information from Qualcomm as the new lawsuit is accusing? What then?

Qualcomm is being exactly as they agreed to. Apple decided not to pay. They agreed upon terms and Apple decided they wanted to charge consumers more but were pissed at Qualcomm for the same? Hypocrisy.

I don't care one bit about these benchmarks because it's not even running the same operating system. Apples to oranges there.

I didn't say I'd never buy another iPhone but right now, no. I won't.

I hope they'll develop their own hardware and simplify this issue.

Valid point, and don't take my response as a way of saying "get out of this thread". Viewpoints from all sides make this site great. I will say never makes sense to me when people who are on their way out / or not even part of an ecosystem, chime in on something that has nothing to do with their use, or devices. Clearly you are still interested in what is going on at Apple.

On the legal side, Is there any proof that Apple or Intel are colluding to steal information from Qualcomm, or, is it simply a legal tactic Qualcomm is using in their case against apple? Also, where is Apple charging more? For consumers, phones with Qualcomm cost exactly the same as Intel phones do. We also don't know what Apple has to pay Intel for their chips. For all we know they agreed to pay Intel the same prices.

With regards to modem speeds / benchmarks, You said you moved to the V30 for your daily driver from your 7, in a thread mainly covering modem speed differences between Intel and Qualcomm. I don't buy your claim that you don't care about those benchmarks, and it is absolutely fine if they are important to you.

We 100% agree about being in many ecosystems, Like you I daily drive Android and iOS, in addition to OS X, Linux, BSD, and Windows. I find it fun to be within all of these respective ecosystems, and, find some are better then others, for various reasons.

 

[nanocustoms]

Let’s hope this didn’t happen this time around?

https://www.recode.net/2016/11/18/13681324/apple-limiting-some-iphone-7-download-speeds

 

[richard371]

Of coarse it happens with the x too. Apple will software limit it so they will be close in speed. Otherwise they would have a mess on their hands.