Google and Qualcomm join forces to fight against Apple. Will the global 5G competition landscape be further changed?

(Original title: Google and Qualcomm join forces to fight against Apple! Will the 5G competition landscape add another variable?)

In order to fight against Apple, Google and Qualcomm are getting closer to it in terms of "5G". In the field of 5G-enabled smartphones, the development of terminals equipped with Qualcomm semiconductors and Google operating systems is in a leading position. The "alliance" of the two companies with Apple as their "common enemy" may change the competitive environment of the industry.

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The Nikkei website reported on February 28, "I am very happy to work with Qualcomm to create a vibrant 5G economy." At the Qualcomm press conference at the MWC 2019 Barcelona exhibition, Google Vice President Bob Borchers appeared as a guest. It is rare for Qualcomm, which has a deep relationship with terminal companies, to hold a joint press conference with a software company.

According to the report, Qualcomm holds a high share in the field of mobile phone semiconductors and communication technology. People from both companies said that "5G smartphones will bring the two together." Almost all 5G mobile phones announced for the market at this stage use Qualcomm's semiconductors, and all use Google's "Android" system as the operating system. The two companies are proud of being the heroes behind the opening of the 5G era.

In addition, the two companies also have a common interest in being "enemies of Apple," the report said.

Qualcomm has an overwhelming advantage in the mobile phone semiconductor market, while Apple has been strengthening its independent development of semiconductor technology. The two sides launched a fierce lawsuit over mobile phone-related patents, and Apple eventually stopped using Qualcomm's semiconductors from its new products in 2018. In terms of mobile phone operating systems, Google regards Apple as its biggest competitor. In the smartphone terminal business, Google is in a position to catch up with Apple.

The report believes that Apple is at a disadvantage in the 5G field. Intel, which replaced Qualcomm, is expected to be unable to supply 5G semiconductors before the end of 2019. Some analysts believe that the possibility of Apple launching a 5G-enabled iPhone this year is close to zero. On the other hand, terminals associated with Qualcomm and Google will be available on the market as early as May 2019.

In the "alliance", Google, which develops operating systems, especially sees this lead as a good opportunity. At Qualcomm's press conference, Google executives said, "The development of 5G mobile phones will ultimately depend on the extent to which APP development progresses." They believe that strengthening related software during the iPhone's 5G blank period will help them get ahead of Apple.

According to the report, in the world of app development, Apple's advantage is very solid. A Canadian virtual reality (VR) software company said, "The hardware parameters of Android terminals are different, which makes it difficult to work. Generally speaking, new works are first released in Apple version under strict iPhone parameters."

The report said that in the 5G field that has just begun, it is still unknown to what extent Google and Qualcomm can gain dominance. However, Apple's late arrival may bring unexpected flaws to its proud "economic circle".