Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon X6 modem that will likely appear in 2022 iPhones. Qualcomm says it’s the world’s first 10 Gigabit 5G modem and antenna system for smartphones, enabling theoretical data speeds up to 10 gigabits per second.
According to Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager, 4G/5G, Qualcomm Technologies, Key innovations in the flagship Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System include:
° An Upgradable architecture allowing for enhancements, expandability and customization across 5G segments;
° A Qualcomm® QTM545 fourth generation mmWave antenna module engineered for extending mobile mmWave coverage and power efficiency;
° The world’s first A.I. antenna tuning technology;
° Next-generation power-tracking;
° The most comprehensive spectrum aggregation across all key 5G bands and combinations.
Look for Qualcomm modems to included in iPhones through 2025, as part of a contract between Qualcomm and Apple. After that, look for the iPhone maker to build its own modems.
It only makes sense that Apple will eventually make its own modems. The tech giant scooped the majority of Intel’s smartphone modem business in December 2019. And Apple has moved its modem chip engineering effort into its in-house hardware technology group from its supply chain unit.
