While Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei said last week that his company is “open” to making 5G modem chipsets for future iPhones, company chairman Ken Hu says there has been no discussion about the subject with Apple.
Reuters reports Huawei chairman Hu told them “We have not had discussions with Apple on this issue.” Hu’s remarks came in the wake of Huawei’s announcement on Tuesday that the number of contracts it has won to provide 5G telecoms gear increased further, even as the U.S. government is pushing to shut the firm out of international market due to security concerns.
While the electronics firm did not reveal any specific figures or details, Hu also claimed to have secured increased orders for 5G chipsets from other companies.
Huawei CEO and founder Ren Zhengfei commented last week that his company was “open” to a 5G modem deal with Apple during an interview last week.
Apple is reportedly struggling with the manufacture of 5G modems for its 2020 iPhone lineup. Apple’s modem partner, Intel, may not have its 5G tech ready by then.
As Apple is currently engaged in an ongoing legal battle with Qualcomm, the Cupertino firm is highly unlikely to turn to the San Diego-based modem maker for its 5g modem supply.
Apple is reportedly in talks with both Samsung and Mediatek for 5G modems for the 2020 iPhone, but it isn’t known how well those talks are going.
Although Apple is said to be working on its own modem chip designs for future iPhones, that technology isn’t expected be ready any earlier than 2021.
