HomeWinBuzzer NewsIntel Fast Tracks 5G Modem Designed for 5G iPhone Models

Intel Fast Tracks 5G Modem Designed for 5G iPhone Models

In an effort to compete with Qualcomm, Intel says its XMM 8160 5G modem will reach partners half a year early during the latter parts of 2019.

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has been a leader in the pursuit of widespread 5G and is pushing its own hand by rushing out its second 5G modem, the XMM 8160. While Intel would probably not use the word rushing, the company says it “made a strategic decision to pull in the launch of this modem by half a year to deliver a leading 5G solution.”

It is easy to assume that a “strategic decision” means wanting to get the second-generation 5G modem on the market around the same time delivers its own effort.

5G connectivity promises to revolutionize mobile device speed and capabilities. I have previously written about China leading the way in developing 5G infrastructure. 5G delivers improved wireless performance, including bandwidth, security, and responsiveness improvements over 4G LTE. In a growing age of interconnected devices, analysts predict that a country that leads in 5G will gives its companies an “era of untapped economic potential.”

While China is pushing ahead in preparing for 5G, US-based chipmakers are leading in development of the technology.

Qualcomm Threat

Intel has been pushing its original XMM 8060 chipset for a mid-2019 release. However, that has looked unlikely as no smartphone manufacturers have announced hardware with the silicon. It seems that Intel is skipping the XMM 8060 and will fastrack the XMM 8160. The reason of this is the looming presence of Qualcomm.

While Intel is struggling to entice manufacturers, rival Qualcomm is having more success. The company already has 20 device makers signed up to use its 5G chips, including modem makers. However, the race for 5G is really going to be won and lost in mobile. Smartphones will decide the giants of the 5G silicon market.

Of course, Qualcomm is the dominant chipmaker in the mobile space with its Snapdragon processors. Intel faces the challenge of muscling in on an established market. Qualcomm's ties in smartphone manufacturing are already seeing results. Motorola will use Qualcomm modems in its 5G Moto Mod, and Xiaomi will do the same for its Mi Mix 3 5G variant.

Crafting 5G modems small enough to fit in a smartphone is challenge, one even Qualcomm is struggling with. Intel is already prepared to lead in 5G on PC and has teamed with Sprint and Microsoft to bring 5G laptops to market in 2019. PC is Intel's domain where one-upmanship on Qualcomm seems guaranteed. However, PC is also a declining sector, so much of Intel's 5G success will depend on its ability to find a home on mobile.

Apple Agreement

By bringing XMM 8160 to market sooner, Intel can face Qualcomm directly and compete for manufacturers. is reportedly on-board with Intel but will not wait around forever for the company to make its 5G modems efficient.

Under its new earlier release, the XMM 8160 should ship to partners during the latter half of 2019. The will not be time enough to be included in next year's iPhone XI (11), so Apple's first iPhone 5G model is likely to arrive in 2020. Much rides on Apple's help as Qualcomm is likely to sew up the majority of Android OEMs, with other players like Samsung, Huawei, and more also taking their own slice of the pie.

Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

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