Apple Still Tapping Intel’s 5G Modem Treasure Chest
Rumors were swirling last year that the Apple‑Intel handshake for a slice of the 5G modem pie might hit a snag. But word from insiders says the two giants are still in the middle of a lively negotiation – the “deal‑or‑no‑deal” dance is still on.
Why Germany Matters
Apple’s sweet spot? The German hub that once acted as the nerve‑center for Intel’s modem operations. That office is home to a crew of engineers straight out of Infineon’s wireless world. After Intel snapped up Infineon back in 2011, those engineers have been powering modems for Apple since the beginning of the mobile era.
- Infineon supplied modems to Apple from 2007 to 2010 – the original iPhone folks, until the iPhone 4.
- Apple’s target: access to Intel’s German modem team to speed up its own 5G modem playground.
Why the itch? Apple’s long‑held ambition is to slash its dependency on Qualcomm. Building its own modems would give it a huge leg‑up in controlling performance and future features.
What’s at Stake
If the talks wrap up with a deal, Apple would finally be able to jump into “modem design” mode — a step that many tech analysts say will be a game‑changer for the device ecosystem.
And though we’re not the Netflix of tech, it’s safe to say the drama is “Apple vs. Intel” all the way back to the modem opera. Stay tuned – the plot continues to unfurl.
