According to sources, Apple is set to launch a 5G iPhone in the near future using Intel’s 8161 modem chip. As of today, Intel is testing precursor chipsets for the 8161 so it can be used for the 5G iPhone prototypes.
Rumors that started in 2017 suggest that Intel and Apple have been collaborating on 5G chip technology to be incorporated on succeeding iPhone units in an attempt to catch up with Qualcomm. The first 5G smartphones in the market won’t be debuting until 2019, with most of it using Qualcomm 5g chipsets.
Apple has been known to be dissatisfied with Intel’s current processors as it failed to solve heat dissipation and battery life issues that are common problems with the current 8060 modem chip that’s in progress. The company is also looking towards switching to MediaTek as an alternative, should Intel continue to underperform for the next year and a half. iPhone models sporting an Intel chipset includes the latest additions in the iPhone X series: XS, XS Max and XR.
