Intel's new 5G modem could equip Apple's first iPhone 5Gs

2019 Announces as a Great Year for 5G and Intel – one of the largest players in mobile technology – has finally announced its next-generation network project in the form of its new XMM 8160 5G modem . The XMM 8160 modem is expected to be released by manufacturers in the second half of 2019, with the first devices using the chip scheduled for early 2020.

Intel has big ambitions for the XMM 8160 5G. He plans to use it on phones, computers and broadband hubs, with peak speeds of up to 6 gigabits per second. The modem supports autonomous and non-standalone specifications for the 5G NR (New Radio) standard, as well as existing support for 4G, 3G and 2G networks, all in one. In addition, Intel indicates that the modem will support both millimeter wave spectrum (mmWave) and parts of the lower band of the spectrum.

However, Intel may still have a lot to do to get businesses to use its 5G modem. Currently, at least 18 major companies – including Samsung, Nokia / HMD, Sony, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, HTC, LG, Asus, ZTE, Sharp, Fujitsu and OnePlus – are working with Qualcomm and its Snapdragon X50 5G NR modems. Huawei and Samsung are also working on their own internal 5G modems.

The interesting feature here, however, is Apple: The company recently adopted Intel modems exclusively for its iPhone XS and XR 2018 phones (specifically the Intel X60M 7560 modem). And Apple would intend to stick to Intel chips whenever it would cross the threshold of 5G. This is what would happen with its iPhone 2020 models, which would make sense if Intel made the modem available to hardware partners by the end of 2019.