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Qualcomm unveils new 5G mobile chips

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  • Published Dec 4, 2019 4:54 pm KST
  • Updated Dec 4, 2019 5:48 pm KST

Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 865 5G mobile platform unveiled during the annual Snapdragon Tech Summit that began Tuesday in Hawaii. / Courtesy of Qualcomm

The firm's plan to dominate 5G market could be derailed by Apple

By Jun Ji-hye

Qualcomm has unveiled its two new Snapdragon mobile platforms focused on fifth-generation (5G) networks and artificial intelligence (AI), drawing up a blueprint to lead the global 5G and AI markets next year.

The U.S. chipmaker introduced the flagship Snapdragon 865 and the lower-end 765 during the annual Snapdragon Tech Summit, which began Tuesday for a three-day run in Hawaii.

“5G will open new and exciting opportunities to connect, compute and communicate in ways we've yet to imagine and we are happy to be a key player driving the adoption of 5G around the world,” Qualcomm Incorporated President Cristiano Amon said during his keynote speech. “Our Snapdragon 5G mobile platforms announced today will continue to show leadership in the industry and deliver on the promise of scaling 5G in 2020.”

The company said the Snapdragon 865 mobile platform, which includes the Snapdragon X55 5G modem-RF system, is designed to deliver “unmatched connectivity and performance” for next-generation flagship devices. The Snapdragon 765 brings integrated 5G connectivity, AI processing and select Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming experiences, the company said.

The new components will power most Android-based smartphones that will be launched next year, the firm said.

While the company is displaying confidence about its lead in the global 5G market, Apple's push to build its own 5G modem and have it in iPhones by 2022 could put the brakes on Qualcomm's plans, according to industry officials here.

Qualcomm and Apple have had an uneasy relationship as they were in a big legal battle over Qualcomm's patent licensing practices.

Their two-year fight ended in April, following a surprise settlement that included an agreement for Qualcomm to supply components to Apple for several years.

Under this agreement, Qualcomm will offer the modem for the first 5G iPhone next year.

But Apple wants to build its own 5G modem for the iPhone after buying Intel's 5G modem business earlier this year.

“If Apple's plan succeeds, Qualcomm will eventually lose one of the major customers, and at the same time will be confronted by a formidable competitor in the 5G market,” an official from a Seoul-based telecommunications company said, asking not to be named.