3G iPhone Predictions

We are less than a week off from the Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference 2008 [WWDC] in which the 3G iPhone is expected to make its debut.Over the past year, I have covered the 3G iPhone in great detail. As we head to the WWDC, I thought it will be nice to compile my iPhone predictions about some component suppliers. Take them for what they are - just predictions!

3G Baseband: Infineon (IFX) will be at the heart of the iPhone. The Infineon 3G chip will have a software stack that is jointly developed with InterDigital. The King of Prussia-based InterDigital (IDCC) is also likely to have a good portion of the baseband IP if my guess is right. I am basing this last speculation on the performance of the IFX chipsets in recently conducted tests. Essentially, InterDigital will earn a per-chip royalty for the software stack and possibly for the baseband IP.

Application Processor: Samsung will perhaps continue to own this part. Marvell (MRVL) has an outside chance.

WLAN: For platform stability issues, I will bet on Marvell grabbing this socket again. Broadcom (BRCM) may spring a surprise with its WLAN-BT-FM integrated solution.

Bluetooth: If WLAN belongs to Marvell, CSR, which is in the current iPhone, will likely own the Bluetooth socket again.

GPS: The next generation will have GPS and it will likely belong to Broadcom. This was recently ratified by a GigaOm report.

Touchscreen: Broadcom

I cannot hypothesize on other components. But if I were to guess, I will bet on Apple (AAPL) retaining most existing suppliers. While I have been talking about these component suppliers for around a year now, some of these predictions may appear matter-of-fact to readers today. In any case, now that I have put it all in a list, let us see what my hit-rate is!

[All thoughts expressed here are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of either Atheros Communications or TensorComm Inc.]

Disclosure: The author was long IDCC at the time of writing.

 

Comments

[20smoney:]

iPhone focus heading into the weekend...

My take:

20smoney.com/2008/06/0.../

2008 Jun 06 09:07 AM

[Andy Singh:]

Great info and the Apple iPhone and related technology providers are going to enjoy a nice run up over the next few months. I just bought Apple stock and am looking forward to see the (hopefully good) reactions next week.

2008 Jun 06 09:10 AM

[charanischiu:]

I had my 3G smartphone 5 years ago and enjoy the service from then.

I bought the unlocked Apple iPhone last year when it first launched and it works just great even I go back to 2.5G service.

Now the remarkable Apple 3G iPhone will officially launch in our country. I shall again enjoy full smartphone service from Apple in 3G.

2008 Jun 06 09:46 AM

[dragon10:]

You forgot Balda

2008 Jun 06 01:49 PM

[mollytjm:]

don't forget the new Apple store in China, in time for the Olympics. Apple has been quietly moving into so many different countries...and this iphone is still a baby...they've hardly been in this part of the business and look what's happened. i can't wait for the new G3phone and i'm sure a lot of other people around the world are feeling the same way. i just hope they can make enough phones so when my other phone contract is up in october, i can buy one :)

2008 Jun 07 10:38 AM

[Jimmy Goodwin:]

Me and my friends love apple products, but we gave the iphone the miss, too expensive and no 3G. If Apple does release a new iphone with 3G, I will buy it in a snap.

2008 Jun 08 06:15 PM

[coolshaps:]

Apple is an awesome company. Consistently grabbing computer/laptop market share for their quality product and expanding iPhone vending to a ready global market. Infineon works with On2 Tech to better deliver video through the web and cell waves. ONT (Amex) is a good investment if they are indeed embedded in the semiconductor of the new 3g iPhone.

2008 Jun 09 01:31 AM