With Apple and Qualcomm having set aside their differences, it is widely expected that with this year’s iPhone, Apple could be turning to the use of Qualcomm’s modems for 5G connectivity. However, it seems that it won’t be all Qualcomm and that Apple could actually be contributing to the design process.
According to a report from Fast Company, it appears that Apple isn’t too pleased with Qualcomm’s QTM 525 mmWave antenna module. This is due to the design of the antenna that apparently doesn’t fit into Apple’s design. We’re not sure if it due to the actual design and that it doesn’t gel with the iPhone’s design language, or if it could be a size issue where it would not fit into the iPhone.
However, regardless of which it is, the report claims that Apple will instead of be attempting to design its own 5G antenna. That being said, Fast Company notes that Apple might not necessarily be very good at that, as evidenced with the iPhone 4 that resulted in poor reception if held in a wrong way.
They also point out that 5G antennas are a bit more tricky compared to 4G, and that the slightest imperfections could result in connectivity issues. The last thing Apple wants is for its first series of 5G iPhones to run into such issues.
Apple has been rumored to be working on its own 5G modems so with this report, we suppose it might be a good way for Apple to showcase a bit of what they might have been working on so far.
Filed in . Read more about 5G, iPhone and Qualcomm. Source: fastcompany