Intel has unveiled its new 5G chip, which will be available in late 2019.
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| © CNET Apple may be ready to include 5G support in new iPhones next year. |
By Gordon Gottsegen, CNET
Never say never. Although it previously seemed like Apple wouldn't release an iPhone with 5G support next year, new evidence makes the possibility of a 5G iPhone in 2020 seem more likely.
That's because on Monday Intel announced
its new Intel XMM 8160 chip with 5G support. Intel says the 5G chip
will be able to support peak speeds that are "three to six times faster
than the latest LTE modems available today."
The Intel chip is
intended to become available in the second half of 2019, and Intel
expects it to be in commercially available products such as phones in early 2020. Intel says it pushed its launch date forward by more than six months to make this possible.
A big reason that Apple wasn't expected to release a 5G iPhone next year was due to the belief that only Qualcomm would have a 5G chip ready in time. And since Apple and Qualcomm are currently involved in an ongoinglegal battle, it seemed unlikely that Apple would use Qualcomm's 5G chip.
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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. intel-xmm-8160-modem-2-1 |
Since Apple uses Intel's chips in its iPhones, and because Intel will
have a 5G chip ready next year, it's possible that the 2020 iPhone
could support 5G.
5G is expected to become widespread next year, with wireless carriers and other tech companies pushing for its adoption. This could lead to a wave of 5G phones starting next year.
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
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