Apple contemplated buying parts of Intel's cellular modem business to speed up 5G

Conversations began in summer 2018, and continued for several months, according to the Wall Street Journal. They ended, however, by the time Apple reached its settlement with Qualcomm earlier this month. Intel announced its departure from the 5G modem business the same day.

Intel is now looking at "strategic alternatives" for its modem business, and could still potentially sell to Apple or another firm, Journal sources said. Analysts previously speculated about an Apple takeover.

Intel has been Apple's primary 4G modem supplier since late 2016, mostly because of the global legal battle with Qualcomm over patents, royalties, and business models. Apple and government agencies accused Qualcomm of abusing its market position to force chip buyers into patent license agreements.

It's widely suspected that Apple settled with Qualcomm partly because Intel was taking too long to develop a 5G modem. It seemed increasingly likely that Intel would miss a deadline for 2020 iPhones, never mind 2019 models, and few other companies are in a position to deliver 5G chips. 2019 iPhones will likely to continue to use Intel 4G modems.

Court evidence exposed the fact that Apple had a years-long plan to reduce its royalties to Qualcomm — one document explictly stated that it wanted to "hurt Qualcomm financially" and "put Qualcomm's licensing model at risk." The company even deliberately licensed less expensive patents to make Qualcomm's rates seem excessive — with that made public, chances of victory in the lawsuit probably became slim.

While 2020 iPhones are expected to use Qualcomm chips, Apple is believed to be working on its own modem with senior hardware VP Johny Srouji at the helm. That would offer the triple benefit of optimized hardware, better-timed development, and avoiding outsourcing costs.