Apple Leaning Towards MediaTek on Modems for Future iPhones

Apple'due south legal battle with Qualcomm is getting crazier by the week and the Cupertino tech giant is said to be eyeing a partnership with MediaTek to supply baseband modem chipsets for iPhones, get-go 2018. According to Digitimes, MediaTek is a frontrunner candidate to become an boosted modem bit supplier for iPhone models in 2018.

The sources familiar with the affair tell the publication that MediaTek meets the three criteria that Apple follows in determining bit providers for its offerings. Reportedly, these principles are "leading technological competitiveness, comprehensive production blueprints, and reliable logistic support."

Apple Leaning Towards MediaTek for Modems on Future iPhones

Despite coming together these conditions, MediaTek will likely support only 50 per cent of the total modem chipset requirements. The rest of the plate will be filled by Intel. Furthermore, the source notes that partnership between MediaTek and Apple could extend further than just modem. The chipset maker is prepare to get a leader in supply chain solutions for smart speakers and wireless charging devices besides. This indicates that the company could contribute to the HomePod and Airpod product lineup down the road.

Additionally, this isn't the outset time that MediaTek has come under the spotlight. The give-and-take of MediaTek gaining a function in Apple'due south supply chain was previously reported past The Wall Street Periodical in Oct besides. Information technology was highlighted that Apple was considering building devices with chips from Intel and MediaTek.

And just to give you a quick refresher, Apple'due south dispute with Qualcomm took off before this year, when Apple defendant the the chipset maker of withholding royalty payments. Apple claims that the company withheld close to $i billion in royalty rebates in retaliation for cooperating with Southward Korean antitrust investigators.

Practise you think Apple will lean towards MediaTek to source modems for future iPhones? Let usa know your thoughts on this past dropping a comment down below.