Broadcom to unveil 3G iPhone Chip?

[newsimg]http://www.aqua-soft.org/media/news/61fd87956fd62a20502d6519dd5836d4.gif[/newsimg]Broadcom is set to unveil today what many think will be the heart of the 3G iPhone's communications chips. The BCM21551 3G System on a Chip (SoC) from longtime Apple partner, Broadcom, offers:

Broadcom's new BCM21551 single-chip 3G SoC processor with HSUPA functionality for high bandwidth transfers of data to mobile devices. The new baseband solution enables manufacturers to build next generation 3G smartphones with breakthrough features, sleek form factors and extended battery life. Broadcom will also be demonstrating the BCM21331 single-chip 2G SoC, enabling a range of cost effect new handset devices.

Many think that this is the chip that will be included in Sony's new Xperia X1 phone and many others coming out in Q3 2008. Obviously, no word from Apple on this.

Forbes is telling potential iPhone customers to wait on buying an iPhone until a 3G version based on this chip or something like it comes out - "soon".

#491181

tis an ambitious prediction... on forbes behalf.

look foward to seeing how this turns out.

EDIT- What does that diagram itself refer to?... It has a 5 megapixel camera :/ ... the iPhone's is only a 2... or is it simply demonstrating connectivity of the chip?

#491252

or is it simply demonstrating connectivity of the chip?

The answer lies in your own question.

This looks promising. One of the main reason Steve gave about not including 3G, is due to the size of the chip/circuitry hampering overall size of the iPhone. Not to mention, their power draw was not fitting in target envelope of iPhone's battery life.

Although, I doubt we will see this in iPhones anytime soon. It's as obvious as Sun rising to east, that next [hardware] revision of iPhone will be on 3G.

#491266

One of the main reason Steve gave about not including 3G, is due to the size of the chip/circuitry hampering overall size of the iPhone. Not to mention, their power draw was not fitting in target envelope of iPhone's battery life.

Although, I doubt we will see this in iPhones anytime soon. It's as obvious as Sun rising to east, that next [hardware] revision of iPhone will be on 3G.

i dont think we will see them soon either... but I want to believe that it will, because the iPhone still isnt in Australia.

That said, lets not forget the miracles Apple can pull- they made Intel redesign thier processors in order to make them fit into the Macbook Air... the technology to make them smaller wasnt even possible before Apple funded it.

Size wasnt one of the things Steve Jobs stressed, it was more battery life.

I've noticed Apple has a thing with non-replaceable user batteries- and I dont mind.... they know what they're doing my iPod with built in battery works fine. etc.

#491556

You mean non-user replaceable batteries, not non-replaceable user batteries, right? Cuz last time I checked, people dont need them hahahaha

#491561

That said, lets not forget the miracles Apple can pull- they made Intel redesign thier processors in order to make them fit into the Macbook Air...

Man where do you get your info from?

Apple didn't "make" Intel do anything. They PAID Intel alot of money to customize and EXISTING chip.

Intel has been progressively reducing the size of their CPU's as a matter of practicality.

The chip used in the Mac Book Air has been in the design phase long before Apple started using Intel CPU's.

This stuff takes YEARS to design, test and build.

Apple said CAN you make Core2 Mobile CPU fit in here and Intel whipped out it's 45nm "Penryn" version of the Core2 mobile CPU and redesigned the base to fit in the dimensions Apple provided.

the technology to make them smaller wasnt even possible before Apple funded it.

Put down the Kool-Aid and step away from the keyboard.

And Apple didn't "fund" anything other than a redesign of a mounting base.

To quote Apple

This chip was custom-built to fit within the compact dimensions of MacBook Air.

The very same CPU in the Mac Book Air is also available to any PC maker.

#491631

Intel whipped out it's 45nm "Penryn" version of the Core2 mobile CPU and redesigned the base to fit in the dimensions Apple provided.

Sorry... the processor in MBA is NOT 45nm processor. It's "custom" made 65nm merom core, WHICH [current die size for MBA] originally wasn't on Intel's roadmap. Intel didn't creat new CPU for apple, they just re-spinned the current core to fit in smaller die size using ULV's [core solo based, ultra low voltage] existing fab.

The very same CPU in the Mac Book Air is also available to any PC maker.

Indeed it is, because Apple does not own the technology nor did they fund it. But, Apple put forth the requirement first and Intel does see opportunity to sell something which has got good press coverage and make profit out of investment made in creating it. Note that, this perticular CPU wasn't available before MBA. No PC manufacturer asked Intel for pulling such a feat before.

As for Kool-Aid.... well, we all know Levi does have flair to go overboard sometimes.

the technology to make them smaller wasnt even possible before Apple funded it.

Chill mate... you don't want to get in dirty fight over lines like that.... lol.

#491633

I stand corrected on the platform.

Why Apple chose to stick with a retooled 65nm chip is beyond me.

The Penryn seemed a logical fit (no pun intended) with it's size and low power consumption.

I recall during the MW demo that a comment was thrown out about it being the latest chip, in which case that would be the Penryn.

The Merom core is a bit dated based on current chip standards.

#491651

Why Merom[65nm] instead of latest Penryns[45nm]?? It was same question that struck me at first.

One of the logical reason I could think of....

Rumors of Apple ultra-portable was running since long time. Almost since, when penryn launch date wasn't finalized, let alone be mass production. Apple [for that matter anyone] would have wanted the core hardware ready for testing the feasibility of thermal envelope for the size of MBA, offcourse the battery life as well. In that given timeframe only possible thing for intel was to re-spin their merom core for solution. They couldn't push Penryns forward in time just for Apple. Base shrunk Merom with ULV based modification was suiting Apple's need I suppose, hence merom core for now. I'm sure Intel will re-do what they did with Merom, with Penryn cores specifically for Ultra-Portable market.... just in case Silverthorne doesn't get ready before next MBA refresh or other competing PC alternatives. Besides Silverthorne is majorly targetting handhelds and UMPC-esque devices, so I'm not sure how well they fit for Ultra-Portable notebooks.

#491658

yes, flair is the word.

my middle name.

#491682

Broadcom is set to unveil today what many think will be the heart of the 3G iPhone's communications chips?

#500742

@hank freid hotels: Did you bother to check the original post date?

#500751