While more and more smartphones with 5G support appear on sale, Apple continues to shepherd those behind. We have already
Where to get modems?
Sources from foreign publications claim thatQualcomm and Samsung refused to supply 5G modems for Apple smartphones, although they already have them ready. With Qualcomm, everything is clear: due to long litigation that lasts more than one year, the company is not going to cooperate with Apple.
But Samsung just reported on the launchmass production of its own chips with 5G - Exynos Modem 5100. This is what is installed inside the Galaxy S10 5G, sales of which start today. In addition, the Exynos RF 550 single-chip radio frequency transceiver and the Exynos SM 5800 power modulator, which are also used in the flagship, were put on the conveyor.
Despite this, Samsung does not yet plan to sell modems to other manufacturers, including Apple - they are designed only for the company’s own needs.
There is also Huawei with its own Balong 5000,But against the backdrop of its “cold” relations with the US government, where its equipment for fifth generation networks is being sabotaged with all its might, Apple is unlikely to turn to its Chinese competitor for help.
Apple is currently collaborating with Intel, but its XMM 8160 modems will not be released until 2020. And it’s even possible that they won’t make it in time for the debut of the 2020 iPhone, which traditionally should be presented in the fall.
What to do?
So Apple started producing its own5G-odems. According to rumors, there is already a team of developers, and some of them are former employees of Qualcomm and Intel. But this will take several years, so most likely the first iPhone with 5G support will only be released in 2021.