Qualcomm has just told Apple: “You can’t help but need me.”

Qualcomm and Apple have temporarily “ceased”, for the benefit of both sides. Apple needs 5G modem chips as soon as possible to equip its iPhones, or rivals like Samsung or Huawei will continue to breathe smoke. And Qualcomm, of course, will be delighted to have a sneaky customer.

But the outside is hand-shaking, and inside Apple is quietly trying to oust Qualcomm once it has enough wings. Apple acquired Intel’s mobile modem chip business, designing its own 5G antenna. It’s all for one purpose, it’s to make its own 5G modem chip and not need to rely on Qualcomm anymore.

However, Qualcomm has just told Apple: “You can’t help but need him.” And it will take a long time for Apple to catch up with what Qualcomm has done right now. Admittedly, in the field of modem design and manufacturing, no one can match Qualcomm.

Recently, Qualcomm has launched its new generation 5G modem chip, the Snapdragon X60 5G. A 5G modem chip that Qualcomm created is not aimed at guests like Samsung Galaxy S20, but to affirm its class with Apple and make Apple coveted.

Snapdragon X60 5G is not a leap in specs compared to Snapdragon X55 5G (modem chip in Galaxy S20). However, this is the first modem chip to be manufactured on the 5nm process, a major technological advance over the 7nm process of the X50 and X55.

Produced on the 5nm process, which means the X60 modem chips will be smaller, more efficient and more energy efficient. The X60 modem chip will also come with a new, more compact 5G antenna. And that’s all Apple wants to help keep the iPhone slim.

Technically, the Snapdragon X60 5G supports mmWave and Sub-6 in parallel, giving download speeds of up to 7.5Gb / s and upload speeds of 3Gb / s.

Other smartphone makers like Samsung, who are also Qualcomm’s clients, also want high-speed 5G chips, but can’t produce them themselves. Only Apple is capable and ambitious to make 5G modem chips faster and more compact. But Qualcomm doesn’t want that to happen, and will continue to lock Apple in with you.

Reference: macworld