Apple set to drop Intel for 5G chips in 2020 iPhone models

San Francisco: Apple has reportedly conveyed a message to Intel, saying it will not be using the chip-maker's 5G modems for 2020 iPhone models, the media reported.

As a result of the decision, Intel seems to have halted development on a modem internally known as "Sunny Peak", but the company is reportedly now focusing on improving its product in an attempt to win Apple back for the 2022 iPhone lineup, Digital Trends reported on Thursday.

The news was originally reported by Calcalist, an Israeli financial daily, which reviewed internal company communications.

Earlier reports suggested that Apple was turning to Taiwanese mobile chipset maker MediaTek for its communications components and that the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant was looking to move away from using Intel processors altogether by 2020.

Apple started using Intel components in modern iPhones as it wanted to reduce its dependence on chips from Qualcomm, with which it got entangled in a log legal battle.

Meanwhile, according to a key analyst associated with Taiwanese business group KGI Securities, the 6.5-inch iPhone 2018 model is likely to be priced around $1,000 and will feature dual SIM capabilities.

While this model would come in black, white and a new gold colour variant, the entry-level 6.1-inch LCD iPhone was likely to be launched in grey, white, blue, red and orange colours, Ming-Chi Kuo said in a research note.

"That's a potential five new colours for the LCD model. It is very possible that when Kuo says 'grey' and 'white' he is referring to the Space Grey and Silver finishes as seen on the current iPhone X," 9to5Mac reported late on Thursday.

"We've mocked up the new finishes above by tinting an iPhone X, but note, the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is not expected to have a dual-camera system," the report added.