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Apple's First 5G iPhone Will Arrive In 2020, Says Report (fastcompany.com)
Fast Company reports that Apple is working on a 5G iPhone that will come to market in 2020, according to a source familiar with the matter. From the report: Apple plans to use Intel's 8161 5G modem chip in its 2020 phones. Intel hopes to fabricate the 8161 using its 10-nanometer process, which increases transistor density for more speed and efficiency. If everything goes as planned, Intel will be the sole provider of iPhone modems. Intel has been working on a precursor to the 8161 called the 8060, which will be used for prototyping and testing the 5G iPhone.
Apple, our source says, has been unhappy with Intel lately. The most likely reason relates to the challenge of solving heat dissipation issues caused by the 8060 modem chip. Many wireless carriers, including Verizon and AT&T in the U.S., will initially rely on millimeter-wave spectrum (between 28 gigahertz and 39 Ghz) to connect the first 5G phones. But millimeter-wave signal requires some heavy lifting from the modem chips and RF chains, our source explains. This causes the release of higher-than-normal levels of thermal energy inside the phone -- so much so that the heat can be felt on the outside of the phone. The problem also affects battery life. The alternative is for Apple to source its modems from Qualcomm, but Fast Company's source "says Apple's current issues with Intel are not serious enough to cause Apple to reopen conversations with Qualcomm." Also, Qualcomm's X50 modem has heat dissipation issues of its own. MediaTek is reportedly a distant "Plan B."
Apple, our source says, has been unhappy with Intel lately. The most likely reason relates to the challenge of solving heat dissipation issues caused by the 8060 modem chip. Many wireless carriers, including Verizon and AT&T in the U.S., will initially rely on millimeter-wave spectrum (between 28 gigahertz and 39 Ghz) to connect the first 5G phones. But millimeter-wave signal requires some heavy lifting from the modem chips and RF chains, our source explains. This causes the release of higher-than-normal levels of thermal energy inside the phone -- so much so that the heat can be felt on the outside of the phone. The problem also affects battery life. The alternative is for Apple to source its modems from Qualcomm, but Fast Company's source "says Apple's current issues with Intel are not serious enough to cause Apple to reopen conversations with Qualcomm." Also, Qualcomm's X50 modem has heat dissipation issues of its own. MediaTek is reportedly a distant "Plan B."
This time, Jobs can't save them again.
They're already in the process of being ruined by the standard issue management grease rags.
And by then, providers are going to be on 7G.
But the iDiots will be ponying up $2,000 for the iPhone xTra Massively Kool.
I've been a fan of their computers since 1981 (well, not so much the mid to late 90s crap), but this consumeristic strategy is getting a bit old.
This is typical of Apple's innovation :
"Third-party partners fall in line with our fashion requirements for ultra thin accessories or we'll drop your lucrative contracts."
There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not exactly lighting the world on fire as the cult would have you believe.
5G will use spectrum in the existing LTE frequency range (600 MHz to 6 GHz) and also in millimeter wave bands (24–86 GHz). (Quote from a Google Search result.)
The lower frequency will be pretty good in terms of distance from phone to tower and building penetration. 6 GHz, not so much. I'm wondering if the highest frequencies will require a "tower" on each city block with an open window or an outside antenna to pick up 5g. Maybe the highest frequencies will be used for video programming, i.e., cable and satellite replacement TV.
Can someone comment on data throughput as a function of frequency. Do lower frequencies limit tower data rates?
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell