TAIPEI -- Intel's shock decision to exit the 5G smartphone modem business marks another setback for the world's biggest microprocessor maker, which once dreamed of taking a leading role in the next-generation communication technology.
Intel's announcement came shortly after news that rival Qualcomm had reached a settlement in its year long, bitter legal fight with Apple over royalty payments. As a result Qualcomm's chips will be used in Apple's future 5G iPhone, marking an end to Intel's ambitions in the smartphone market.