Apple took a huge decision with the iPhone 7 series.
Reports according to Forbes reveals that Apple decided to dual source the LTE modem from Intel and Qualcomm. As a result, there are huge performance differences in cellular connectivity between the two different versions of the iPhone 7, a new study says.
Cellular Insights put both versions of the iPhone 7 through a number of tests to see how well they could connect to a wireless network under everyday conditions.
The firm tested across three different LTE frequency bands to simulate how the phones would perform in different countries and with different carriers. It also tested varying levels of signal strengths.
The tests demonstrated that Qualcomm-powered iPhone 7s are able to consistently establish stronger connections to LTE networks than Intel-powered iPhone 7s.
Qualcomm modems outran Intel modems by 30% in overall performance, and 75% when the signal was at its weakest.
These results matter because that means customers could potentially be buying a lower quality version of the iPhone 7 for the same price as the good one.
Apple prides themselves on consistent and high-quality products, and this doesn’t help the cause.
“In this day and age with mobile internet consumption at the all time high,” reads the Cellular Insights blog, “we believe that a mobile device is only as good as its ability to seamlessly connect and maintain its connectivity with the mobile network.”
Slight performance differences between different iPhones of the same generation can cause controversy.
In the iPhone 6s, for example, Apple relied on two manufacturers – TSMC and Samsung — for fabricating its A9 processor. That resulted in battery life difference between 5% and 7%. The saga was dubbed “Chipgate.”
For the past five years, Qualcomm had been the only modem chip provider for Apple. Most high-end phones are powered by LTE modems from Qualcomm, who is widely regarded as having the most advanced modems in the chip business.
“These figures don’t surprise me at all,” said tech analyst Patrick Moorhead. “I would expect Qualcomm modems to outperform everything out there right now.”
But now Apple wants to mix things up a bit. Putting Intel in the latest iPhone likely gives Apple some leverage in negotiations with Qualcomm over prices. “Apple is doing this because it keeps other suppliers on their toes,” said Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.
Intel declined to comment and Apple hasn’t responded to a request for comment.