14 DAY TRIAL // The new iPhones launched by Apple this fall are really powerful smartphones thanks to the Cupertino-based company's innovative technologies.
Both iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are equipped with Apple's own A9 chipsets, which include dual-core processors clocked at 1.84GHz.
This might sound way behind today's octa-core CPUs that are including in the latest Android flagship smartphones, but the truth is they are very good.
However, CPU is not the only piece of hardware that makes a smartphone powerful. Since lots of people have dropped Internet browsing on their desktop PCs for mobile browsing, it's very important for a smartphone to offer high data speeds like 3G and 4G.
The LTE modem chipset inside a handset is a very important component, which can make or break a deal for some customers.
One of the companies that have tried really hard to make it into the mobile chipsets business is Intel. Unfortunately, the competition (Qualcomm, MediaTek) was too fierce and Intel does not seem to have a chance on the smartphone market with its mobile CPUs.
Apple wants to create an SoC with CPU and LTE modem
However, according to a new report by VentureBeat, Intel might be very close to a deal with the Cupertino-based giant. The deal implies for Intel to supply Apple with the 7360 LTE modem, which received so many praises lately.
A source familiar with Intel’s plans claims the company already has “a small army of people on the Apple account,” who are to make sure the 7360 LTE modem will be chosen for the iPhone 7.
Sources say the deal hasn't been inked yet, but if Intel continues to achieve the milestones imposed by Apple, an agreement might be signed in the future.
Apparently, Apple wants to make an SoC (system-on-chip), which will pack both the phone's Ax CPU, as well as the LTE modem chip. That will provide Apple's smartphones with better battery power management and enhanced speed.
Obviously, the CPU on the SoC will be made by Apple, while the LTE modem chip will be licensed from Intel, but only if an agreement is signed.
Since the story is still in development, we will most likely report on any future details on the matter, so stay tuned for more on this one.