International

     Apple is planning to equip its 2018 iPhones with faster modems from both Intel and Qualcomm, although Intel is expected to get a larger portion of the orders, reports KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Both chips have support for 4x4 MIMO unlike today's 2x2 MIMO varieties.
     New baseband chips from Intel & Qualcomm will significantly boost transmission speed of new 2H18 iPhone models thanks to supporting 4x4 MIMO antenna design: We believe that 2H18 new iPhones will upgrade baseband chips from Intel’s XMM 7480 and Qualcomm's MDM 9655 in 2H17 to Intel’s XMM 7560 and Qualcomm's SDX 20. As both new chips support 4x4 MIMO technology, compared to only 2x2 MIMO in 2H17, we anticipate LTE transmission speeds will increase significantly. We believe Intel will supply Apple with 70-80% or more of required baseband chips.
     Additionally, Kuo believes that the 2018 iPhones will support dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS) allowing two SIM cards to be active using one set of chips.
     2H18 iPhone models won't only offer faster LTE transmission speed: We predict that at least one of the 2H18 new iPhone models will feature dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS) with support for LTE+LTE connections. Unlike existing DSDS phones, which commonly support LTE+3G connections, we believe next-generation iPhone models will support LTE+LTE connections, in a bid to enhance the user experience.