While we knew Intel had the XMM7660 coming since last November, they never actually had a product page for it. Which is strange but my guess were that Intel wasn't sure if 10nm would make it in time, since that is what the 7660 was rumoured for originally.
I was looking this up again, turns out Intel has quietly put up its product page and PDF. [1] After some Googling this was published in early October.
So basically nothing new. It would be going up against Qualcomm X24 which is 7nm and basically better in every possible way.
Oh and one final note. The 7660 is still Dual Sim Dual Standby ! DSDS - This is insane. If you cared about Dual Sim you would know DSDV, which allows you to use Data on Sim2 while you are calling someone VoLTE in Sim 1.
While I do agree Qualcomm may be charging more for their Modem parts and patents, but as far as I can tell no one even come close to their parts in terms of quality. And it has been painful watching Apple using inferior Intel modem for three years now, and half a decade if Apple decides to go with Intel 5G Modem in 2020. I just wish Apple and Qualcomm resolves their problem ASAP and work together again.
[1] https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/mobile-communications/xmm-7660-brief.html
I was looking this up again, turns out Intel has quietly put up its product page and PDF. [1] After some Googling this was published in early October.
- It is still 14nm. - So who ever ( *cough* ) said this is going to be 10nm are wrong. It make sense because 10nm wouldn't be ready in the volume Apple required. But iPhone will have a modem lacking behind in node again.
- 45 Bands - 10 more Bands than the 7560.
- 1.6Gbps - Faster than the 1.2Gbps in 7560, not sure it is useful to anyone else since it needs 7CA, you could hardly get 5CA anywhere in the world with 7560.
- 3GPP Rel 14 - Improvement from 7560 which is Rel 13. I don't think there should be much difference. Mostly layering the ground work for 5G and some tweaks and enhancement on FD-MIMO and e-LAA.
- New RF transceiver - Well, hopefully for better reception. ( I am not holding my breath )
So basically nothing new. It would be going up against Qualcomm X24 which is 7nm and basically better in every possible way.
Oh and one final note. The 7660 is still Dual Sim Dual Standby ! DSDS - This is insane. If you cared about Dual Sim you would know DSDV, which allows you to use Data on Sim2 while you are calling someone VoLTE in Sim 1.
While I do agree Qualcomm may be charging more for their Modem parts and patents, but as far as I can tell no one even come close to their parts in terms of quality. And it has been painful watching Apple using inferior Intel modem for three years now, and half a decade if Apple decides to go with Intel 5G Modem in 2020. I just wish Apple and Qualcomm resolves their problem ASAP and work together again.
[1] https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/mobile-communications/xmm-7660-brief.html
