What you need to know
- Apple already uses Broadcom chips.
- Broadcom reportedly wants to offload its RF chip business.
- Apple is one company said to be interested.
Because when you have as much money as Apple, why not?
Broadcom reportedly wants rid of its RF wireless chip business despite it having brought $2.2 billion into the company during the fiscal 2019 year. And Apple is said to be looking into picking it up.
That, according to The Wall Street Journal (via 9to5Mac) would need a transaction in the ballpark of $10 billion and although the process is said to be at an “early stage,” Apple is unlikely to balk at the sum.
Broadcom’s RF unit is thought to be one of the best in the business in terms or making hardware that can help clear up wireless signals. And it doesn’t take an expert in phone manufacturing to see where that could be of use to Apple.
The RF unit is a market leader in so-called FBARs—film bulk acoustic resonators—that are used in cellphones and base stations to filter out unwanted radio transmissions. But in recent years it has faced increased competition. One rival, Qorvo Inc., has developed an alternative filtering technology that’s tiny, reliable and can replace traditional FBARs.
Apple currently uses Broadcom for wireless chips and is said to account for as much as 25% of the company’s net revenue. Whether Apple would splash the cash to pick the business up for itself remains to be seen, but it’s also unlikley to be the only suitor here. Especially given the strength of the business.
Source of the article – iMore