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iPhone-X-1

When Apple launched the iPhone 7 last year, it broke with its usual tradition and adopted ii different modems for different versions of the device. Testing so showed that performance wasn't equivalent betwixt the two, with Qualcomm modems mostly outperforming Intel, specially in lower betoken areas. Afterwards the iPhone X launch, it looked similar Intel's performance might have improved or even bested Qualcomm, at least on some carriers, but more careful testing suggests that's non the instance.

PCMag reports on all-encompassing testing past Cellular Insights and focused on testing LTE Band 4, the band used by every major Us carrier merely Sprint. While both Qualcomm and Intel fielded new modems for the iPhone X (Intel'south XMM7480 versus Qualcomm'southward Snapdragon X16), the performance rankings yet favor Qualcomm overall.

ModemPerf

Intel has, all the same, improved its performance relative to 2022, and now trails Qualcomm by a smaller amount. Only the low-bespeak surface area — arguably the point where you lot want a smartphone to perform the best — still favors Qualcomm.

ModemPerf23

In some ways, the iPhone is the worst platform for examining raw modem operation. Apple tree puts a great deal of emphasis on guaranteeing the aforementioned functioning no matter what hardware model you buy, though its efforts to maintain parity haven't always been completely successful. The X16 supports features that the XMM 7860 lacks, including 4×4 MIMO antennas and four-fashion carrier aggregation. Cellular service providers in the US currently employ both of those features, but Apple locks them out because the XMM 7480 doesn't support them.

All the same, there's a larger result in-play here. Qualcomm and Apple are locked in a vicious battle over patents and royalty payments, with Apple arguing information technology shouldn't have to pay what it views as extortionate rates, and Qualcomm defending its licensing practices as off-white and reasonable. Courts in other countries have not agreed with Qualcomm thus far, though this has no bear on on US judicial decisions.

But whether Apple tree wins a lawsuit against Qualcomm, it's conspicuously looking for a new modem supplier, and Intel has been maneuvering itself to step into that gap. If Intel keeps improving, it should close the feature and performance gap with Qualcomm by 2022 or 2022. Don't exist surprised if Qualcomm modems become away thereafter. Apple would similar to be leading with headline-quality modem support, and Intel'south the just other player in boondocks that might exist able to provide information technology, at least until 5G modems kickoff aircraft.