Apple is apparently making moves toward getting 5G modems in its 2020 iPhones.
Angela Lang/CNET
It seems like Apple is preparing to launch a trio of 5G iPhones next year, after leaving the next-generation wireless technology out of this year’s iPhone 11 lineup. The modem will be designed by Qualcomm, Nikkei reported Wednesday.
The Cupertino, California, company intends to ship at least 80 million of the 5G iPhone models and “has set an aggressive sales target” to try to overtake Huawei as the world’s second biggest phone maker, according to the Japanese outlet. The embattled Chinese company overtook Apple in 2018.
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The three iPhones will apparently use Qualcomm’s X55 modem chips, after the two companies settled a two-year battle over patent licensing back in April.
Over the summer, a report suggested that Apple will have its own modem chips available for its 2021 iPhones, after it snapped up Intel’s modem business in a $1 billion deal.
Neither Apple nor Qualcomm immediately responded to requests for comment.
First published at 4:45 a.m. PT.
Updated at 5:10 a.m. PT: Adds more detail.