rf front-end module comparison 2021 – vol. 1 – focus on apple

©2021 by System Plus Consulting | SPR21588 – RF Front-End Module Comparison 2021 – Vol. 1 – Focus on Apple | Sample 1

22 bd Benoni Goullin44200 NANTES - FRANCE +33 2 40 18 09 16 [email protected] www.systemplus.fr

RF Front-End Module Comparison 2021 – Vol. 1 –Focus on AppleTechnical and cost overview of the evolution of the radio frequency front-end module technologies integrated in the Apple iPhone series from 2016 - 2020.SPR21588 - RF report by Stéphane ELISABETH

Laboratory analysis by Nicolas RADUFFEMarch 2021 – Sample

REVERSE COSTING® – STRUCTURAL, PROCESS & COST REPORT

http://www.systemplus.fr/


Table of Contents

Overview / Introduction 4o Executive Summaryo Key Take Awayo Reverse Costing Methodology

Company Profile 11o Apple iPhone Serieso Smartphones Teardown:

iPhone 7series, SE, 8 series, X, Xs max, Xr, 11 series, SE (2020), 12 serieso Intel vs. Qualcomm versiono Apple iPhone 11th vs. 12th generation

Physical Analysis Summary 32

o Component Summary

o Database Content: RF Area, LTE/5G bands per smartphones, Module in RF area

o Component Summary: Evolution of supplier, Evolution of RF packaging

o Comparative Analysis: Design win in RFFE and connectivity, Main supplier, Function

Physical Comparison 51

o Area Distribution per Supplier & Function

o Qualcomm Content – 4G LTE vs. 5G NR

o Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G and OnePlus 8 5G – 5G Chipset Cost and Component

o Die Design Win in Number & Area

o Die Distribution per Function

o Filter Distribution per Smartphone: Technology & Substrate

o PA/LNA/Switch Distribution per Smartphone: Technology & Substrate

o Material Substrate Distribution per Smartphone

Cost Comparison 65

o Chipset Cost evolution

o Cost Distribution per Supplier & Function

o Qualcomm Content – 4G LTE vs. 5G NR

Market Analysis 70

o RFFE & Connectivity Market Forecast

o Current Technology Landscape

o Smartphone and Supplier OEM market share

Physical Analysis 74o Summary of the Analyzed RF Componentso Summary of Comparative Studyo Baseband - Front-End Analysis 76

o Qualcomm Front-End Analysis✓ Package Views & Dimensions✓ Package Opening✓ Die Views And Dimensions✓ Die Summary✓ Components Summary and Cost

o 4G LTE - Front-End Analysis 97o Broadcom, Murata, Skyworks Front-End Analysis

✓ Package Views & Dimensions✓ Package Opening✓ Die Views And Dimensions✓ Filter Die Schematic✓ Die Summary✓ Estimated Front-End Bloc Diagram✓ RF Components Summary and Cost

o 5G Sub-6 - Front-End Analysis 164o Murata, Skyworks Front-End Analysis

o Antenna Adaptation - Front-End Analysis 198o Qorvo, Murata, Broadcom Front-End Module Analysis

o 5G mmWave - Front-End Analysis 226o Apple Front-End Module Analysis

o UWB/Wifi/BT/GPS - Front-End Analysis 248o Broadcom, Murata, Skyworks, USI Front-End Module Analysis

Feedbacks 313

Related Analyses 314

SystemPlus Consulting Services 316



Overview / Introductiono Executive Summaryo Reverse Costing Methodologyo Glossary

Company Profile & Supply Chain

Physical Analysis Summary

Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Executive Summary – 2020 Volumes

RF Front-End Module Comparison 2020 – Vol. 1Study on smartphones on Q3 2019

RF Front-End Module Comparison 2020 – Vol. 2Study on Huawei smartphones

The report includes the study of at least twenty FEM and severalcomponents found in three smartphones: Apple iPhone 11 Pro,Samsung Galaxy Note10+ and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G. Also, it comesalong with a database including information on 485 componentsin 17 smartphones.

The report includes the study of at least eighty FEM and severalcomponents found in ten smartphones: Mate and P series from2015 to 2019. Also, it came along with a database includinginformation on 483 components in 13 smartphones.

RF Front-End Module Comparison 2020 – Vol. 3Wifi & Connectivity

The report includes the study of several FEMs and componentsfound in 14 smartphones: From Apple to Xiaomi. Also, it camealong with a database including information on 281 componentsin 44 smartphones.

RF Front-End Module Comparison 2020 – Vol. 4Study on Chinese/Asian OEMs

The report includes the studyof at least 50 FEM and severalcomponents found in Fivesmartphones: Huawei P40 Pro,OnePlus 8 5G, Oppo Reno3 5G,Vivo X30 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro5G and ZTE Nubia Red magic5G. Also, it comes along with adatabase including informationon 516 components in 19smartphones.



Overview / Introduction

Company Profile & Supply Chain o Appleo Apple iPhone Teardown:

From SE (2016) to 12o CDMA version Studyo 11th vs. 12th Generation


Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Apple Smartphone History and RF Front-End Major Players

Q1 2016 Q4 2016 Q4 2017 Q4 2018 Q4 2019 Q1 2020 Q4 2020




Company Profile & Supply Chain o Appleo Apple iPhone Teardown:

From SE (2016) to 12o CDMA version Studyo 11th vs. 12th Generation


Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Apple Smartphone Teardown

Q1 2016 Q4 2016 Q4 2017

Modem

RxTx

PAMiD

NFC IC

Wifi FEM

Total Area: ~XX mm²RFFE area: ~XX mm²

PAMiD

Modem

Wifi FEM

NFC IC

RxTx


PAMiD

Modem

Wifi FEM NFC IC

RxTx







Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis o Summaryo Baseband - Front-End Analysiso 4G LTE - Front-End Analysiso 5G Sub-6 - Front-End Analysiso Antenna Adaptation - Front-End

Analysiso 5G mmWave - Front-End

Analysiso UWB/Wifi/BT/GPS - Front-End

Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

RF Components Summary

RF Components (Marking) Manufacturer Functional Type Band Area (mm²) Quantity RF Board Proportion Cost ($)

SDX55M QUALCOMM Baseband Modem 2G/3G/4G/5G XX X XX $ XX 132# MURATA Connectivity FEM Wifi 2.4 GHz XX X XX $ XX

AD0W BROADCOM Connectivity Filter XX X XX $ XX 339S00761 USI Connectivity FEM Wifi ax XX X XX $ XX

SN210V NXP Connectivity RFIC NFC XX X XX $ XX SKYxxx34 SKYWORKS Connectivity FEM GPS XX X XX $ XX

U1 V3 USI Connectivity FEM UWB XX X XX $ XX SKYxxx24 SKYWORKS Connectivity FEM GPS XX X XX $ XX

XMSS002 V2 MURATA Front end Switch XX X XX $ XX SKY5xx17 SKYWORKS Front end Diversity 4G MB/HB XX X XX $ XX

K79 MURATA Front end Diversity 4G LB XX X XX $ XX QM18839 QORVO Front end RFIC XX X XX $ XX AYA032 BROADCOM Front end Multiplexer XX X XX $ XX ACI030 BROADCOM Front end Multiplexer XX X XX $ XX 583# MURATA Front end PAMiD 5G n79 XX X XX $ XX

QM18857 QORVO Front end RFIC XX X XX $ XX QM81030 QORVO Front end ET XX X XX $ XX SKY53807 SKYWORKS Front end FEM 5G XX X XX $ XX AFEM8200 BROADCOM Front end PAMiD 4G MB/HB XX X XX $ XX SKY58245 SKYWORKS Front end PAM 5G n77/78 XX X XX $ XX QET5100 QUALCOMM Front end ET XX X XX $ XX

137# MURATA Front end Switch XX X XX $ XX ASI032 BROADCOM Front end Multiplexer XX X XX $ XX AH 0U BROADCOM Front end Multiplexer XX X XX $ XX

1XR-484 MURATA Front end FEM 5G n260; n261 XX X XX $ XX SKYxxx04 SKYWORKS Front end FEM Wifi 5 GHz; B46 XX X XX $ XX

AA0U BROADCOM Front end Filter XX X XX $ XX ALI036 BROADCOM Front end Multiplexer XX X XX $ XX

SKY58240 SKYWORKS Front end PAMiD 4G LB XX X XX $ XX SKY58242 SKYWORKS Front end PAM 2G XX X XX $ XX SDR865 QUALCOMM RF RxTx 2G/3G/4G/5G XX X XX $ XX SMR526 QUALCOMM RF RxTx 5G n260; n261 XX X XX $ XX 37U727 USI RF AiP 5G n260; n261 XX X XX $ XX

QM18395 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18392 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18325 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18311 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX

ER10 MURATA RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18389 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18303 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18396 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18250 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18301 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX QM18349 QORVO RF Tuner XX X XX $ XX

Total XX X XX $ XX






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis




Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus


RxTx

RxTx

Antenna

Antenna

Rx

Rx

RxTx






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis




Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Package Views & Dimensions

Package Top View – Optical View©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Package Bottom View – Optical View©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Package Side View – Optical View©2021 by System Plus Consulting

• Package Type: XX LGA

• Dimensions: XX mm² x XX mm(XX x XX x XX mm)

• Pin Pitch: XX mm

• Marking: <Logo Avago> H09

XX

mm

XX

mm

XX mm






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis




Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Component Overview

Package Opened View – Optical View©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Package Bottom View – Optical View©2021 by System Plus Consulting

• The functions of the 6 dies inside the packaging have a following repartition.

• SAW Filter: XX

• LNA: XX






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis




Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Filter – Die Overview – Rx – Schematic

Package Opened View – Optical View©2021 by System Plus Consulting

(Die 1 - Rx)

(Die 2 - Rx)(Die 3 - Rx)

(Die 5 - Rx)

(Die 4 - Rx)






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis




Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Component Overview – Bloc Diagram






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis




Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus


UWB #1

Antenna U3

UWB #2

UWB #3

AP

5G

Antenna L1

Antenna L3

Antenna L2

Antenna U2

Rx

Rx

Wifi FEM

XX Die/mm²LGA Packaging

$XX$XX/mm²$XX/Die

UWB FEM

XX Die/mm²LGA Packaging

$XX$XX/mm²$XX/Die





Physical Analysis Summaryo Summary of the Analyzed RF

Componentso Comparative Analysis

Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400

iPhone SE

iPhone X (CDMA)

iPhone Xs Max

iPhone 11

iPhone XR

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone X

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 7

iPhone 8 Plus (CDMA)

iPhone 8

iPhone SE (2020)

iPhone 12 Mini

iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 Pro

Module area in RFFE (mm²)

Module in RF Area proportion

Sum of Total Module Area

Sum of Blank Space & Discrete

Sum of RF Area

Module in RF: Front-End and Connectivity

OnePlus 8 5G (Sub-6/mmWave)

Proportion of Module over RF Area©2021 by System Plus Consulting





Physical Analysis Summaryo Summary of the Analyzed RF

Componentso Comparative Analysis

Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Components Summary – Module

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

iPhone SE iPhone 7 iPhone 7Plus

iPhone 8 iPhone 8Plus

iPhone 8Plus (CDMA)

iPhone X iPhone X(CDMA)

iPhone XsMax

iPhone XR iPhone 11 iPhone 11Pro

iPhone 11Pro Max

iPhone SE(2020)

iPhone 12 iPhone 12Pro

iPhone 12mini

iPhone 12Pro Max

15/03/2016 16/09/2016 22/09/2017 20/10/2017 21/09/2018 30/10/2018 20/09/2019 24/04/2020 23/10/2020 13/11/2020

Pe

rce

nta

ge o

f pac

kage

in e

ach

Sm

artp

ho

ne

Package Type Evolution

WLP

LGA

DSMBGA

DSBGA

CLGA

BGA

AiP

Evolution of Module Packaging©2021 by System Plus Consulting






Physical Comparisono Area Distribution per Supplier &

Functiono Qualcomm Content – 4G LTE vs.

5G NRo 5G Sub-6 vs. mmWaveo Die Design Win in Number &

Areao Die Distribution per Functiono Filter Distributiono PA/LNA/Switch Distributiono Material Substrate Distribution

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Sub-6 GHz (FR1) and mmWave (FR2) PhonesModel Manufacturer Quantity Component Function Band Simplified Function

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G

QORVO n78QUALCOMM n77/n78

QORVO n41QORVO n43

QUALCOMM n260/n261

OnePlus8 5G

QUALCOMM n28/n5/n2/n66QUALCOMM n28/n5/n2/n66QUALCOMM n77/n78QUALCOMM n260/n261

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

MURATA n79SKYWORKS FR1SKYWORKS n77/78MURATA n260; n261

USI n260; n261

0 2 4 6 8 10


OnePlus 8 5G


Component Cost ($)

5G Component Cost

5G FR2 Cost 5G FR1 Cost

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350


OnePlus 8 5G


Component Area (mm²)

5G Component Area

5G FR2 5G FR1

Sub-6 GHz (FR1) and mmWave (FR2) Phones©2021 by System Plus Consulting










Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

24%

1%

1%

68%

6%

Filter Distribution per technology

BAW FBAR

BAW SMR

SAW IHP

SAW SAW

IPD (blank)

Filter Distribution

68%

32%

Filter substrate Area

LT/LN

Silicon

Filter die type distribution©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Filter die substrate distribution©2021 by System Plus Consulting

18 Smartphones; From 2016 to 2020; 521 Components; 1,925 Dies

18 Smartphones; From 2016 to 2020; 521 Components; 1,925 Dies










Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Material Distribution per Smartphone

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500



iPhone 8Plus (CDMA)


iPhone XsMax


iPhone 11Pro Max

iPhone SE(2020)


iPhone 12mini

iPhone 12Pro Max

2016-03-15 2016-09-16 2017-09-22 2017-10-20 2018-09-21 2018-10-30 2019-09-20 2020-04-24 2020-10-23 2020-11-13

Tota

l Die

Su

bst

rate

Are

a (m

m²)

Material Distribution per smartphone

SOI

Silicon

LT/LN

III/V

0

50

100

150

200

250



iPhone 8Plus (CDMA)


iPhone XsMax


iPhone 11Pro Max

iPhone SE(2020)


iPhone 12mini

iPhone 12Pro Max

2016-03-15 2016-09-16 2017-09-22 2017-10-20 2018-09-21 2018-10-30 2019-09-20 2020-04-24 2020-10-23 2020-11-13

Tota

l Die

Su

bst

rate

Are

a (m

m²)

Material Distribution per smartphone without RxTx

SOI

Silicon

LT/LN

III/V

Material Substrate area distribution©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Average: XX mm²

Average: XX mm²

Average: XX mm²

Average: XX mm²






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparisono Chipset Cost per Suppliero Qualcomm Content – 4G LTE vs.

5G NRo Cost Distribution per Supplier &

Function

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Chipset Cost per Supplier

0

5

10

15

20

25



iPhone 8Plus

(CDMA)


iPhone XsMax


iPhone 11Pro Max

iPhone SE(2020)


iPhone 12mini

iPhone 12Pro Max

2016-03-15 2016-09-16 2017-09-22 2017-10-20 2018-09-212018-10-30 2019-09-20 2020-04-24 2020-10-23 2020-11-13

Tota

l Mo

du

le C

ost

($)

RF Module Cost per Smartphone

Baseband Connectivity Front end RF

Chipset cost distribution per smartphones©2021 by System Plus Consulting






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparisono Chipset Cost per Suppliero Qualcomm Content – 4G LTE vs.

5G NRo Cost Distribution per Supplier &

Function

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

iPhone SE

iPhone 7 Plus


iPhone X (CDMA)

iPhone 12 Pro

Number of Components per Samrtphones

Qualcomm's Design wins since 2016

Qualcomm RF Components RF Components Bands

Qualcomm Content – 4G LTE (CDMA) vs. 5G NR FR1 & FR2

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

iPhone SE

iPhone 7 Plus


iPhone X (CDMA)

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Total Module Cost ($)

Cost Distribution per supplier

BROADCOM

MURATA

NXP

QORVO

QUALCOMM

SKYWORKS

SONY

USI

Qualcomm’s Design Wins evolution©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Chipset Cost of smartphones featuring Qualcomm’s Components©2021 by System Plus Consulting

Qualcomm RF ComponentsRF Components

Bands



R E L A T E DA N A L Y S E SR E L A T E DA N A L Y S E S





Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Plus

Related Analyses

RELATED TEARDOWN TRACKSRELATED REPORTS

By System Plus Consulting:• Broadcom AFEM-8200 PAMiD in

the Apple iPhone 12 Series

• Apple iPhone 12 series mmWave5G Chipset and Antenna

• RF Front-End Module Comparison 2020 – Volume 3

By Yole Développement:• 5G’s Impact on RF Front-End and

Connectivity for Cellphones 2020

• System-in-Package Technology and Market Trends 2020

By System Plus Consulting:• Consumer Track – Phone


http://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/next-biometrics-nb-1010-u-nb-2020-u-2/

https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/broadcom-afem-8200-pamid-in-the-apple-iphone-12-series/

https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/apple-iphone-12-series-mmwave-5g-chipset-and-antenna/

https://www.systemplus.fr/reverse-costing-reports/rf-front-end-module-comparison-2020-volume-3/

https://www.i-micronews.com/products/5gs-impact-on-rf-front-end-and-connectivity-for-cellphones-2020/

https://www.i-micronews.com/products/system-in-package-technology-and-market-trends-2020/

https://www.reverse-costing.com/teardowns/?q=&category=Phones&category=Accessory&show_only_full_teardowns=on


COMPANYSERVICES





Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses

About System Pluso Company Serviceso Contacts

A Structure, Process and Cost Analysis

Reverse Costing® consists in disassembling a device or a system, in orderto identify its technology and determine its manufacturing processes andcost, using in-house models and tools.

Our Core Activity : The Reverse Costing®






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses


Fields Of Expertise






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses


Business Model

Teardown Track

205+ teardowns per

year

Monitor1 per year quarterly updated

Custom Analysis150 custom analyses per

year

Report60+ per year

Costing Tools

5 process-based and 3 parametric

costing tools

Cost MethodsTrainingOn demand






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses


Worldwide presence

100+ collaborators in 8 different countries

Headquarters› Nantes – System Plus Consulting› Lyon – Yole Développement

Boise

CorneliusRaleighPhoenix

Austin

Singapore

Hsinchu

TokyoShenzhen

Seoul

Frankfurt

Nantes

Lyon






Physical Comparison

Cost Comparison

Market Analysis

Physical Analysis

Related Analyses


Contact

HEADQUARTER & CUSTOM PROJECT SERVICES

22 Bd Benoni Goullin44200 Nantes, France

[email protected] - +33 2 40 18 09 16

REPORTS & MONITORS WEBSITE

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Sandrine Leroy, Public [email protected] - +33 4 72 83 01 89

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rf front-end module comparison 2021 – vol. 1 – focus on apple

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