Kuo explained this week that it is most likely that futures iPhone 15 of next year continue to mount a 5G modem from the Qualcomm firm instead of one of its own developed by Apple. A very strange thing, since Cupertino has been developing this chip for years, and even more so since Apple bought Intel's 5G transmission division in 2019.
And three years after that takeover, with more than 2.000 employees, they still haven't been able to develop a modem 5G? Most likely, they do have it very advanced or ready for manufacturing, but they may not be able to do it for legal reasons, since there are two very strong and clear patents on 5G technology owned by Qualcomm, and here may lie the issue. This now suits me better.
a couple of days ago myself explained the latest information from our friend Ming-Chi Kuo. An Tweet, the Korean analyst assured that next year's iPhone 15 would continue to mount a Qualcomm 5G modem, instead of the one planned by Apple of its own manufacture.
And in my article I explained that it was very strange, since in 2019 Apple bought the 5G division of Intel for more than 1.000 million dollars, with the intention of developing its own 5G chip for its devices, and thus not depend on Qualcomm. It is very strange to suppose that this division, with more than 2.000 employees when it was taken over by Apple, three years later were still not able to present a 5G modem.
Two patents are to blame
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[Company Update] Qualcomm (QCOM.O)My latest survey indicates that Apple's own iPhone 5G modem chip development may have failed, so Qualcomm will remain exclusive supplier for 5G chips of 2H23 new iPhones, with a 100% supply share (vs. company's previous estimate of 20%).
- ing 錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 28, 2022
New information has surfaced today that could explain what Kuo announced a few days ago. It seems that the problem is not technical, but legal. Maybe Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), yes, you already have your 5G chip ready (or almost), but due to patent issues you cannot use it. This would fit me better, no doubt.
In an extensive analysis of patents from Foss Patents, there is the explanation of the problem. In order for Apple to be able to mount its 5G chip on its devices, it has to invalidate two very powerful and clear patents on the 5G transmission that are owned by Qualcomm.
Some time ago Apple already appealed to the US Supreme Court asking for the annulment of these patents, but the accusation was dismissed. So the laws protect the owner of said licenses: Qualcomm.
So Apple has no choice but to go through the tube, and agree with Qualcomm. If those from Cupertino want to use their own 5G chip, they will have to reach an understanding with the chip manufacturer, and agree on a fee for each of the patents. That is why Kuo explained the continuity of Qualcomm's 5G chips in Apple devices. Unless they reach an agreement soon, and the bitten apple passes through the tube in the shape of the letter Q….