Apple designing iPhones, iPads without Qualcomm parts: report

Apple Inc is designing iPhones and iPads for next year that don't use components from chipmaker Qualcomm Inc, Wall Street Journal reported.

iphone 8 plus split open
Apple's new iPhone 8 (R) and 8 Plus are seen after they go on sale at the Apple Store in Tokyo's Omotesando shopping district, Japan, 22 September 2017 (Issei Kato/Reuters)

Apple Inc is designing iPhones and iPads for next year that don't use components from chipmaker Qualcomm Inc, Wall Street Journal reported.

Apple, locked in an intensifying legal fight with Qualcomm, is considering building the devices only with modem chips from Intel Corp and possibly MediaTek Inc, the report said citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple made the decision amid a dispute over the iPhone maker's access to the San Diego-based company's proprietary technology, as per the report on Monday.

Apple and Qualcomm have been fighting each other over patent licensing with the iPhone maker accusing the chip designer of abusing its market dominance with high royalties. Qualcomm has fought back and is seeking to stop Apple from making and selling its smartphones in China.

Apple made the decision about next year's products because San Diego-based Qualcomm withheld software needed to test chips in prototypes, the Wall Street Journal reported.

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