2018 iPhones to use Intel modems exclusively, ditching Qualcomm: KGI

Rumors about the 2018 iPhone models keep growing head of the official announcement later this year, thanks to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities. Back in November last year he said that the 2018 iPhone models will come with a faster Intel XMM 7560 modem and Qualcomm SDX 20 LTE Cat. 18 Modem with support for 4×4 MIMO technology.  He has also said that 70%-80% of the modem chips for 2018 iPhone models will come from Intel and the remaining will use Qualcomm modems. Now in the latest research note KGI reports that Apple will use Intel modems for this year's iPhones exclusively, amidst Apple's ongoing legal battles with Qualcomm. He also said that Intel can meet Apple’s technical requirements and offers more competitive prices compared to Qualcomm. Further, unlike previous modems, Intel's XMM 7560 modem has support for both GSM and CDMA, so there might be a single iPhone model that might work across all the four major U.S. carriers - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, instead of two models. KGI, however doesn't rule out Qualcomm returning to the supply chain, if Apple might give orders to Qualcomm again in exchange for concessions in the ongoing lawsuit between the two companies. KGI also says there there is a risk that Intel may not ...