Apple's chip manufacturing partner TSMC will begin production of the A14 chip and Snapdragon X60 baseband this month for use in the 5G iPhone launching later this year, according to DigiTimes.
This is the first time we've seen the possibility that Apple will use the Snapdragon X60 baseband.
It had been widely expected that the 5G-enabled iPhone would come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 baseband.
Compared to the X55, the X60 is built on a 5nm process that offers greater efficiency and a smaller footprint.
X60-equipped smartphones will also be able to aggregate data in both mmWave and sub-6GHz bands for the best combination of high-speed and low-latency network coverage.
When the X60 was introduced in February, it seemed destined for a 2021 iPhone rather than a 2020 iPhone, as Apple needed enough time for testing and production.
Qualcomm has said that 5G smartphones with the X60 are expected to start releasing in early 2021, so for now we'll have to wait and see if this rumor is true.
Apple usually releases new iPhones in September, but due to the global health crisis, it is not known if the release plans will be slightly delayed.
