If the following report by Digitimes is correct, Apple could be in the process of developing its own baseband chips for iPhones. Sources tell the Taiwanese publication the company has plans to create a R&D team for baseband chips to implement into iPhones for 2015; Samsung and Globalfoundries are said to carry out baseband chip orders.
Although some sources also indicated that Apple may develop SoC chips that will integrate application processors and baseband chips, it is more likely that Apple will continue to use discrete baseband chips, said the sources.
Current iPhone baseband chips are sourced from Qualcomm, where they are made at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), sources tell Digitimes. Should Apple pursue its own baseband chips, these two companies would be affected negatively.
What would be the benefit of Apple making its own baseband chips? Most likely to have complete control over design, power consumption, product timelines and more, similar to what we’re seeing with their Ax-series processors. Again, this is Digitimes, so chalk this up as a rumour that just might come true if you will it into existence.
