Is it possible for Apple's A series processors to integrate Intel baseband?
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Apple's latest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have been confirmed to use cellular modem chips from chip giant Intel in some models. Given that there were rumors before the release of these two phones, no one was too surprised. Therefore, some time ago, many analysts believed that Apple and Intel would definitely deepen their cooperation. One of them, Tim Arcuri, a so-called Apple expert, said that Apple might even integrate its Intel modem into future A-series processors. Is it really possible for Apple to do this? Personally, I think the possibility is very small. Here are some simple explanations. Almost all the positives are zeroed The risk of Apple using independent Intel modems on the new generation of iPhone 7 is quite small, because only some iPhone models use it, and Apple can use it as one of the alternatives for its own complete supply chain, which is conducive to solving the problems of single supplier and limited cost control. In addition, Apple can also please operators, because operators need to customize the network to lock more fixed users, and they don't want users to switch networks easily. Therefore, Apple's acceptance of Intel's independent modem order is very risky, and even has more advantages than disadvantages. However, if Apple chooses to integrate Intel's modem into the A-series chips, the risk will increase significantly. First of all, in this case, Apple will no longer have two modem suppliers to choose from, only Intel, and the above-mentioned benefits will no longer exist. Intel will not catch up with Qualcomm in the short term . In addition, frankly speaking, Intel's modems are getting better and better, but Qualcomm is still proven to be the best supplier. Take the Intel XMM 7360 integrated in the iPhone 7 for example. The chip has a peak downlink speed of 450Mbps and an uplink speed of 100Mbps, but it is still built on a 28nm process, while Qualcomm's MDM9645 used in the 6s last year has been built using a more advanced 20nm process. In addition, even Intel's new generation modem XMM 7480, which is being prepared, is not as good as Qualcomm's current mainstream X12 LTE. X12 LTE supports Cat.12 network uplink, with a rate of up to 150 Mbps, and Cat.13 network downlink, with a peak rate of up to 600 Mbps. It also supports Wi-Fi 11ad technology with a peak rate of up to 4.6 Gbpss, while Intel XMM 7480's downlink speed only reaches 450Mbps. It is better to say that Qualcomm X12 LTE also supports the most advanced multi-gigabit Wi-Fi 802.11ad tri-band technology, with a peak rate of up to 4.6 Gbps. Even with a user throughput increase of up to 5 times, 11ad still has similar power consumption to 11ac. Simply comparing functions and performance, Intel's modem cannot be compared with Qualcomm's . First of all, Intel fails in technology, and Qualcomm's next-generation modem X16 LTE has been available since mid-2016, with an exaggerated maximum downlink transmission speed of up to 1Gbps per second. This means that if Intel's modem technology does not improve significantly in the short term, it is likely to become an obstacle and undermine Apple's product release plan. The integration process is too risky In addition, if Apple's A-series processors really implement the integration of Intel's modems, the technical risks are also very large, and no one can guarantee that the entire integration process will be smooth. For a long time, Apple's most reliable A-series processor foundry has been Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturer TSMC. As old teammates, the two have cooperated very closely, and each generation of new process A-series chips can be the first to enjoy, including the 10 nanometers that will be mass-produced at the end of the year. Intel is undoubtedly the world's top chip manufacturer, but so far, Intel's experience in manufacturing mobile chips has been very embarrassing, and it even has to rely on third-party chip manufacturers to complete the production of some product lines, including the modems currently provided to Apple. At present, Intel has no way to prove its mobile chip R&D and manufacturing capabilities, and there is no direct record of chip foundry historical orders. What's more interesting is that even with the current independent modem model, there are still some problems on the iPhone, that is, the "no service door" some time ago. Some users' newly bought iPhone 7s will be in a "no service" state after turning on and off airplane mode, and the machines with problems are all Intel chip models. Apple acknowledged the problem and provided two solutions: one is to restart the device, and the other is to remove the SIM card and reinsert it. Therefore, in this case, Apple is unlikely to choose an immature partner to do something unexpected, as the risk is too great. It may happen someday in the future, but not soon. Intel's modem orders have brought some value to Apple and can obtain higher profits. Apple may continue to purchase both Qualcomm and Intel modems at the same time, but Intel is still significantly behind Qualcomm in this field. However, Intel has been working hard. For example, Intel's new generation XMM7480 modem still does not support CDMA networks, but the next generation modem XMM 7650 may completely solve this problem. Because last year Intel acquired VIATelecom's CDMA patent assets in an attempt to incorporate it into the standards of its own modems in the future. In short, the interests that the market values are best proved by Intel's choice to open ARM chips. Intel's modems may one day be more powerful, powerful enough that Apple chooses to integrate them, but based on the current situation, I don't think it will happen in the short term. As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity. |
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