Because it usually does round this time of yr, Qualcomm introduced its newest and best 5G mobile modem. The Snapdragon X70, as it’s referred to as, is the successor to the Snapdragon X65 and guarantees greater real-world bandwidth, decrease energy use, and decrease latency. The spotlight is a built-in AI processor that can dynamic, real-time optimizations to enhance connection high quality.

However don’t get too enthusiastic about it simply but. The Snapdragon X65, introduced early final yr, is simply simply now beginning to seem within the first Android telephones and isn’t anticipated to characteristic in an iPhone till the iPhone 14 this fall. The iPhone 13 makes use of the Snapdragon X60 and the iPhone 12 makes use of the Snapdragon X55.

We don’t count on any telephones with the Snapdragon X70 till early in 2023, and the primary iPhones with the modem system ought to be the iPhone 15 within the fall of 2023. What’s extra, Apple has been engaged on designing its personal mobile modems for years, and 2023 may be the primary yr it’s really prepared for market, placing the 2 modems on a collision course.

Snapdragon X70 is all about AI optimization

The high-level specs of the X70 modem sound quite a bit just like the X65: It helps 3GPP Launch 16 with speeds as much as 10 gigabits with intensive band assist and multi-channel service aggregation. The massive breakthrough this yr is the inclusion of an AI processor that provides three new AI-based optimizations: channel state optimization, millimeter-wave beam administration, and community choice.

In different phrases, the Snapdragon X70 goes to make use of AI that runs on a built-in processor inside the modem to get a extra secure and sturdy connection, which ought to enhance real-world pace and energy use.

Past the AI stuff, the Snapdragon X70 helps a laundry listing of modem options, together with standalone millimeter-wave assist, dual-sim dual-active 5G, and 4x service aggregation. These aren’t actually vital to the U.S. market simply now, however merchandise with these modems are nonetheless a good distance away, and these options have extra utility in different markets world wide.

Will the iPhone use the Snapdragon X70?

Whereas Qualcomm says the primary merchandise with the X70 will seem on the finish of this yr, the iPhone 14 nearly actually gained’t be one in every of them. Apple’s improvement and testing course of are far too lengthy for that. Most high-end Android telephones gained’t have this chip till 2023, in reality.

However may it seem within the iPhone 15? If Apple as soon as once more makes use of a Qualcomm Snapdragon modem, then it appears probably. However Apple has been working by itself mobile modem for years. It settled a protracted authorized battle with Qualcomm again in 2019, which included a six-year patent licensing settlement (with a two-year extension possibility) and a multi-year settlement to license complete chipsets. Apple additionally purchased out the vast majority of Intel’s struggling modem improvement enterprise that yr.

A latest report from DigiTimes mentioned that Superior Semiconductor Engineering is in preliminary talks with Apple for “backend orders related to the seller’s first self-designed 5G modem chips set to be used in 2023.” That would imply Apple is transferring towards its aim of dumping Qualcomm’s 5G modem, with the iPhone 15 being the primary gadget to showcase Apple’s personal chip.

It was at all times anticipated to take a number of years for Apple to make its personal aggressive 5G mobile modem. By 2023 (once we would count on the Snapdragon X70 to first seem within the iPhone) we will likely be 4 years previous the Qualcomm settlement and acquisition of Intel’s modem enterprise. If Apple doesn’t have something to indicate for it by that time, it’s most likely time to begin asking questions on whether or not it ever will. And if it doesn’t, the X70 will nearly actually be the one contained in the iPhone 15.