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Apple is considering completely switching away from Qualcomm components, such as modems, in future iterations of the iPhone. Intel modems have already been used in some iPhones, and MediaTek is also under consideration:
Apple Inc has designed iPhones and iPads that would drop chips supplied by Qualcomm Inc, according to two people familiar with the matter. The change would affect iPhones released in the fall of 2018, but Apple could still change course before then, these people said. They declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media.
The dispute stems from a change in supply arrangements under which Qualcomm has stopped providing some software for Apple to test its chips in its iPhone designs, one of the people told Reuters.
The two companies are locked in a multinational legal dispute over the Qualcomm's licensing terms to Apple.
Qualcomm told Reuters it is providing fully tested chips to Apple for iPhones. "We are committed to supporting Apple's new devices consistent with our support of all others in the industry," Qualcomm said in a statement.
Apple and other companies are suing Qualcomm over licensing fees. Apple has had similar hardware-level disputes with Samsung in the past. Apple designs its own ARM chips but has to have them manufactured by Samsung or TSMC.
Also at Bloomberg and 9to5Mac.
(Score: 2) by Bobs on Tuesday October 31 2017, @09:12PM (2 children)
No: wildly inaccurate: Qualcomm started to demand a % of the sale price of every iOS device with their modems.
"The battle between the two companies began earlier this year year when the Federal Trade Commission accused Qualcomm of forcing Apple to use its baseband chips at higher patent royalties. Apple then filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Qualcomm, and Qualcomm counter sued."
"Apple stopped paying licensing fees to Qualcomm at that time, as did Apple suppliers. Apple maintains that Qualcomm charges excessive licensing fees by requesting a percentage of an iPhone's entire value, while Qualcomm says its technology is "at the heart of every iPhone."
More at:
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/30/apple-future-iphone-no-qualcomm-chips/ [macrumors.com]
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-qualcomm/four-apple-contractors-accuse-qualcomm-of-antitrust-violations-idUSKBN1A40I8 [reuters.com]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by qzm on Tuesday October 31 2017, @09:41PM (1 child)
Which is exactly the same deal EVERYONE ELSE GETS.
What part of that do you not understand?
Apple are the ones demanding (and withholding payment until they get..) a special deal, that only Apple would get.
You will note that your links above are simply what Apple is trying to spin it as.
The fact is that all manufacturers get the same damn deal - if you want Qualcomms CDMA chipsets, you page a %age of device cost, it has always been that way.
Apple simply dont want to do that now.
Please describe how is it 'fair' that apple get a special deal?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 31 2017, @10:33PM
To add to that pretty much all cell modems have done this for years. MS, moto, Intel, qcom, bcom, etc, etc, etc all have their bits you pay for. It is usually a % of the phone final cost. QCOM is estimated by most folks to be 2-5 bucks a phone if you do not buy their chipset. If you get the chipset they lower it. They have had that deal for years. Like all of their competitors.