Joe Rossignol
According to technology analyst Jeff Pu, Apple's next-generation iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature Qualcomm's latest cellular modem, which will bring faster and more power-efficient 5G connectivity to devices.
In a research note published this week jointly with investment firm Haitong International Securities, Pu revealed that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone The 16 Pro Max will be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem. However, he expects the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to retain the Snapdragon X70 modem used across the entire iPhone 15 lineup. Apple typically uses the same Qualcomm modem in all models of each iPhone generation, with the exception of the budget iPhone SE, so this would be a change company's strategy.
Announced in February 2023, the Snapdragon X75 features improved carrier aggregation and other technology advancements for faster 5G download and upload speeds compared to the X70. According to The Verge, the combined mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G transceiver takes up 25% less board space and consumes up to 20% less power.
Snapdragon X75 also supports the latest 5G Advanced technology. A standard that is described as “the next stage of 5G” and “an evolution towards 6G”. 5G Advanced will include improvements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve 5G performance, and will expand 5G capabilities to additional device types and use cases.
Apple will likely sell iPhone 16 Pro models as equipped with “5G Advanced”, just as the iPhone 6s received “LTE Advanced” support in 2015.
Apple has been rumored to be working on its own 5G modem for the iPhone since 2018, but reportedly , the project is under development. The modem is not expected to be announced until 2025, or later if it ever arrives. Meanwhile, Apple has extended its 5G modem deal with Qualcomm until 2026.
Apple is set to announce the iPhone 16 lineup in September 2024, so there's still plenty of time before the devices launch.
Related Review: iPhone 16 Tags: Qualcomm, Jeff Pu [126 comments]
