Apple is reportedly boosting the wireless Internet speed of the next iPhone by using on the upcoming device the latest LTE chip from Intel. A new report indicates that the tech giant will contract the giant chipmaker to supply the LTE chip with Category 10 downstream and upstream bursts in time for the iPhone 7 release date.
According to MacRumors, Intel will deliver up to 40 percent of the LTE chips that will end up both in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Apple is said to be particularly interesting on ordering the Intel 7360 LTE modem that boasts of download speed of up to 450 Mbps and upload speed of 100 Mbps. As mentioned, Intel's chip is a Cat. 10 modem that is also compatible with 29 LTE bands, which ensure that the next iPhone global deployment will benefit from the significant wireless broadband speed bump.
It should be noted that with the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, the LTE speed could be as high as 300 Mbps thanks to the LTE-Advanced chip, sourced from Qualcomm, that came with the device.
The same report suggested too that Apple's increasing partnership with Intel could soon produce a system-on-chip that will integrate the chipmaker's LTE technology with the tech giant's A-series mobile processing chip. The aimed benefits would be breakneck wireless connection for future iPhone generations with the bonus of more efficient device energy use.
It is unclear, however, if the goal would be realized in time for the iPhone 7 rollout, which is likely to happen fall of 2016.
The next iPhone is also rumored as a major revamp of its immediate predecessor, unboxing with a different build, look and design from that of the iPhone 6S. One key feature upgrade is likely the introduction of dual-lens to the iPhone 7 camera system that will give the device DSLR-class shooting capabilities.
But this specific feature jump is said to exclusive for the phablet-size iPhone 7 Plus, which is a move that could lead to two possible scenarios. One is that there will be two 7 Plus editions with one model that offers a regular rear shooter and another with the boosted up main shooter.
Or the iPhone 7 Plus will be rebranded and will unpack as the iPhone Pro in order to distinguish its super-charged camera specs from the regular iPhone 7, which on its rumored September 2016 release date is expected without the Home button and the 3.5mm audio jack.