To implement 5G in a smartphone, the fees will pile up!

Evolution of 4G, 5G is making its way. It is undergoing more and more full-scale tests, after years of laboratory experience. Regarding the technology itself, several companies own rights related to it, via patents.Nokia,Ericsson, but alsoQualcommhave protected their discoveries on 5G. Thus, each device that uses the latter will require its manufacturer to pay a fee to all theserights holders, for use of patented technology. And the bill risks beingsalty:

Different companies have recently announced their prices for using their patents concerning 5G. No surprises so far, the practice is already common with 4G.

But the amounts paid by telephone assemblers were relatively little known. For 5G, we should know more, thanks to the announcements from the various rights holders:

• Nokia: asks $3.48 per device using 5G
• Ericsson: tax of 2.5 to 5 dollars per device
• Qualcomm: the highest amount, i.e. 3.25% of the cost of the device up to 13 dollars maximum
• Huawei: in the same sizes as the three previous ones

In total, for a future iPhone integrating 5G and probably costing more than $400, the 5G operating tax will amount to approximately22 dollars. In comparison, this is more than what the RAM of an iPhone 8 costs for Apple.

We will have to make up our minds, however, because it will be difficult for smartphone manufacturers to do without 5G in the future.

Source

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.