iPhone 2018: The legal dispute between Apple and Qualcomm is not expected to end anytime soon, and as a result, the Cupertino-based tech giant is looking at ways to reduce its dependence on the processor manufacturer.
This step is expected to take place this year, as the new generation iPhone models will be released without Qualcomm chips, as Apple plans to rely exclusively on Intel.
This is explained by trusted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who points out that Intel will become Apple's exclusive supplier for the 2018 iPhone generation. This means that Qualcomm could return at some point in the future, perhaps in 2019, as Intel does not have the capabilities to meet Apple's demands.
But if Qualcomm returns as a supplier for the iPhone, it will only happen as a result of a settlement of the disputes between the two companies, although at present neither side seems to want that.
On the other hand, the analyst says that Intel may not prepare its base chips for 5G support, meaning that Apple may be forced to continue its partnership with Qualcomm, at least temporarily.
The 2018 iPhone lineup is expected to include three different models, two of which will come with OLED panels. First, there will be a 5.8-inch OLED version that launched as the successor to the iPhone X, but also a larger 6.4- or 6.5-inch device that could be considered the Plus sibling of the same model.
But at the same time, Apple is also believed to be working on a more affordable iPhone model with a 6.1-inch LCD display. However, all models will have Face ID, although it is possible that in order to reduce the price of the LCD iPhone, Apple could remove several features on that device, including 3D Touch.
