2018 iPhones drops Qualcomm to include Intel modems only!

In 2018, Apple made a significant move by dropping Qualcomm as a modem supplier and opting for Intel modems only. This decision raised eyebrows in the tech world, as Qualcomm had been a long-standing supplier of modems for Apple's iPhones. This blog will explore the reasons behind this move and its impact on the industry.

Qualcomm and Apple

Had been engaged in a long-standing legal dispute over patent infringement and royalty payments. Apple accused Qualcomm of charging exorbitant fees for its technology, while Qualcomm accused Apple of stealing its trade secrets. The dispute escalated when Qualcomm attempted to ban the import of iPhones using its modems. Apple responded by seeking alternate suppliers for its modems, which led to its decision to include only Intel modems in its 2018 iPhones.

Intel had been supplying modems to Apple for some time, but its technology was considered inferior to that of Qualcomm. However, with Qualcomm out of the picture, Intel became Apple's sole supplier of modems. This move by Apple had a significant impact on the industry, as Qualcomm was one of the leading suppliers of modems to smartphone manufacturers worldwide.

The impact of this move was felt in the market as well. The performance of Intel modems was inferior to that of Qualcomm, resulting in slower internet speeds and weaker signal strength. Apple had to release a software update to throttle the performance of Qualcomm modems to match that of Intel's modems, in order to avoid any legal issues with Qualcomm.

However, Apple's decision to drop Qualcomm did not go down well with some of its users. Many complained of poor network connectivity and slower internet speeds on the 2018 iPhones. This led to a class-action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of false advertising by claiming that the iPhones had the fastest modem.

In conclusion, Apple's decision to drop Qualcomm and opt for Intel modems only had a significant impact on the industry. While it was driven by legal disputes between the two companies, it resulted in a suboptimal user experience for some of Apple's customers. The tech world will be watching closely to see if Apple decides to stick with Intel or look for alternative modem suppliers in the future.