No longer pioneer? Apple likely to launch 5G iPhone much after Android peersNov 7 (AZINS) Tech giant Apple is likely to lose 5G battle to other smartphone companies. According to a report by Fast Company, Apple will not launch its first 5G iPhone before 2020, much later than what Samsung and other companies are planning. According to the report, Apple is on track to launch its first 5G iPhone in 2020 and plans to use Intel’s 8161 5G modem chip. Intel has been working on 8060 chip, a precursor to the 8161 which Apple plans to use in its 5G iPhone, for prototyping and testing the next-gen device.

Intel is likely to fabricate the 8161 using its 10-nanometer process to increase transistor density for more speed and efficiency.

The report said that Apple has been unhappy with Intel and the reason relates to the challenge of solving heat dissipation issues caused by the 8060 modem chip. Besides the problem in dealing with the release of higher-than-normal levels of thermal energy due to 5G signals, the issue also affects battery life.

While Apple has been unhappy with Intel, the report said that issue was not serious enough for the Cupertino-based tech giant to reopen conversations with Qualcomm about supplying 5G modems.

While Apple is probably aiming for 2020 launch of its first 5G iPhone, some of its competitors are planning to showcase their 5G handsets at the Mobile World Congress coming February. Android phones from Oppo, Huawei, and Xiaomi will contain 5G modem chips made by Qualcomm.

Qualcomm has said that it has solved the heat dissipation issues in its modems.

The push for 5G headsets comes from US mobile operator AT&T. The telecom company has been pressuring smartphone makers to work out technical issues in the first 5G modem chips so that it can bring 5G phones to market in the US in 2019, Fast Company reported.

The 5G standard was finalized only this year and Apple has decided to wait until 2020 to release a 5G iPhone as there are unlikely to be many players before that.